As someone who just went through this process with my daughter last year, I wanted to add a few things that really helped us: 1. Don't overlook your state's 529 plan tax benefits if you have one - we were able to redirect some savings and got a state tax deduction that helped offset costs. 2. Ask UCI about payment plans! Many schools offer interest-free payment plans that let you spread the semester costs over 10-12 months instead of paying lump sums. This can help with cash flow while you figure out financing. 3. Have your daughter check if UCI has any work-study programs specifically for biology majors - lab assistant positions, tutoring, etc. These often pay better than regular campus jobs and give relevant experience. 4. Consider having her take a gap year to work and reapply with better financial circumstances if the professional judgment doesn't work out. I know it's not ideal, but sometimes the extra year of income documentation can completely change your aid package. The fact that you're thinking this through carefully instead of just signing loan papers shows you're being responsible. Too many families get trapped in debt they can't handle. Your daughter will appreciate having parents who helped her avoid that trap, even if it means adjusting expectations initially.

I'm in a very similar situation with my son who got into UCSD - almost identical aid package with just the unsubsidized loan. One thing that's helped us is reaching out to UCI's biology department directly (not just financial aid). I called the undergraduate advisor and explained our situation, and they connected us with a professor who mentioned some research opportunities that come with small stipends. It's not huge money, but every bit helps. Also, I've been using a spreadsheet to calculate the true cost of each financing option over 10+ years. The Parent PLUS loans look manageable monthly, but when you factor in that 8% interest compounding over a decade, it's honestly terrifying. A $35k annual loan becomes over $200k in total payments by the time it's paid off. Have you looked into whether your employer offers any education assistance programs? Mine has a small grant program I didn't even know existed until I asked HR directly. Sometimes companies have funds they don't advertise widely. The hardest part is watching our kids' dreams potentially get crushed by financial reality, but I keep reminding myself that there are multiple paths to success in biology. The school name matters less than the opportunities your daughter creates for herself.

As another newcomer here, I'm really grateful for all the detailed insights everyone has shared! I'm dealing with a similar situation - my daughter is a junior in high school and my son just turned 23, so we'll likely be in the multiple-student scenario soon. What strikes me most from reading through this thread is how much the new FAFSA changes have created uncertainty, but also how generous this community is with sharing real experiences. @Javier Torres - it sounds like you got your answer about your 24-year-old son filing independently, which saves you the hassle of updating! @Emma Wilson's explanation about institutional vs federal aid calculations was particularly enlightening. I had no idea that colleges might still use their own formulas even when the federal calculation changed. One question for the group: for those who did update their FAFSA to show multiple students, did you find that most colleges were transparent about whether they still consider this factor in their institutional aid decisions? Or did you have to really dig to find out their policies?

As a newcomer to this community, I've been following this discussion closely and it's been incredibly informative! I'm currently helping my sister navigate a similar situation with her two kids potentially overlapping in college next year. What really stands out to me from everyone's experiences is how much the institutional aid policies vary between schools. It seems like the new FAFSA changes have created this confusing landscape where the federal calculation works one way, but individual colleges may still use their own methods. I'm curious - for those who successfully received additional institutional aid after updating their FAFSA to show multiple students, did you find that certain types of schools (public vs private, large vs small) were more likely to still factor this in? My sister is trying to decide whether it's worth the effort to update, and it sounds like the answer might depend heavily on where her kids are planning to attend. Also, thank you @Taylor Chen for the practical tip about calling during mid-afternoon and asking that specific question! That's exactly the kind of actionable advice that makes this community so valuable.

Just wanted to say how glad I am that you found the issue! The retirement account mistake is SO common - I work as a financial aid counselor and see this exact scenario multiple times every year. The FAFSA form really should have clearer instructions about what qualifies as "investments" vs. protected retirement assets. A couple additional tips while you wait for your correction to process: 1. Print or screenshot your corrected FAFSA submission confirmation - schools often want proof you've submitted corrections 2. If your daughter's school has a student portal, check if there's a way to upload documents directly to her financial aid file explaining the situation 3. Some schools have emergency aid funds or short-term loans specifically for situations like this where there are FAFSA processing delays The fact that you caught this early and already submitted the correction puts you in a much better position than families who don't realize the mistake until after aid has already been finalized. Your SAI should drop dramatically once the correction processes - probably back to something very close to your original 18K range. Keep us updated on how everything works out!

I'm so relieved you found the problem! That retirement account confusion is honestly one of the most stressful FAFSA mistakes because the SAI impact is so dramatic. I went through something similar last year - not quite as extreme, but my SAI nearly doubled when I accidentally included my husband's pension value as a regular asset. One thing that really helped us was calling the school's financial aid office the same day I submitted my FAFSA correction. The counselor was incredibly understanding and actually flagged our account for priority review once the correction came through. She also mentioned that they see this exact mistake several times each aid cycle, so don't feel bad about it! Since you're dealing with timing pressure, definitely ask about their appeals process too. Even if everything processes smoothly, having that information upfront can save you stress later. Fingers crossed your correction processes quickly and gets your daughter's aid package back on track! 🤞

I'm a financial aid counselor and wanted to jump in with some clarification on a few points mentioned here. First, the "strategic denial" for Parent PLUS is real - if parents are denied, dependent students can borrow an additional $4,000-5,000 per year in unsubsidized loans. However, Parent PLUS denial requires adverse credit history (90+ days late, bankruptcy, foreclosure, etc.) - not just poor credit scores. For your situation specifically: definitely pursue the professional judgment review for having twins in college simultaneously. Schools have discretion to adjust your SAI when standard formulas don't reflect your true ability to pay. Submit documentation showing your actual expenses vs. the calculated family contribution. Also, many families don't realize that Parent PLUS loans can be consolidated and put on income-driven repayment plans after graduation through the Direct Consolidation program. This can significantly lower monthly payments compared to private loans which have limited flexibility. Timeline tip: Parent PLUS applications can take 1-3 weeks for processing, so don't wait until the last minute before tuition is due!

As someone who just went through this exact situation last year with my twins, I want to add a few things that really helped us. First, don't overlook work-study opportunities - even though they weren't offered in your initial package, you can sometimes request them later, and they provide tax-free income that doesn't count against future financial aid calculations. Also, consider having your twins apply to be RAs (Resident Advisors) in their sophomore year - this often covers room and board completely, which can save $10K+ per year per child. It's competitive but worth planning for early. One thing I wish I'd known sooner: some schools will let you defer enrollment for a year if you can't make the finances work. This gives you more time to save and apply for additional scholarships. Not ideal, but better than taking on crushing debt. Finally, check if your twins' schools participate in tuition exchange programs with your employer or other schools. Some universities have reciprocal agreements that can significantly reduce costs that aren't widely advertised. Hang in there - the first year is always the most stressful financially, but it gets easier once you have systems in place!

Based on everything you've shared, you should absolutely be the one filing the FAFSA. The 2025-26 FAFSA determines the filing parent by who provides MORE financial support during the 12 months prior to filing - not who has higher income or who claims the tax dependency. Since you're providing housing 5 days/week, paying for health insurance, phone, clothes, and school expenses, you're clearly the supporting parent even though your ex has higher income. The fact that he contributes to a 529 instead of paying child support directly doesn't change this - day-to-day living expenses are what matter for the FAFSA determination. Filing with your lower income will likely result in a significantly lower SAI (Student Aid Index), which means your son could qualify for much more need-based aid including federal grants. This could literally save you thousands in college costs compared to if your higher-income ex filed. Just keep documentation of the major expenses you cover (insurance statements, receipts for school fees, medical expenses, etc.) in case you're ever asked to verify. And don't stress about the tax dependency - that's completely separate from FAFSA filing requirements. Good luck with the college process!

Just wanted to add one more thing that might be helpful - when you do file the FAFSA as the supporting parent, make sure you're consistent about this designation across all college applications and financial aid forms. Some schools might have their own supplemental aid forms that ask similar questions about custody arrangements. Also, since you mentioned your son is looking at both state and private schools, keep in mind that some state schools have additional state grant programs that might have different criteria than federal aid. It's worth checking if your state has any specific programs for divorced families or single parents. The good news is that you're getting this figured out now while he's still a senior - some parents don't realize the importance of the supporting parent determination until they're already deep in the financial aid process and it's harder to make changes.