lol I tried making corrections last year and somehow managed to make things WORSE! ended up having to get my school's financial aid office involved to help fix everything. If u can, maybe sit down w/ a financial aid person at your daughters school to make sure its all done right..

Just wanted to add that when you're making these corrections, double-check the "Parent 1" and "Parent 2" sections carefully. Since you have custody, you should be listed as Parent 1, and if you're unmarried, you can leave Parent 2 blank. Also, make sure to update the household size to reflect who actually lives in YOUR household, not your ex-husband's. This stuff can really impact the aid calculation, so it's worth taking your time to get it right. Good luck!

I'm also considering online college and this thread has been super helpful! One thing I'm wondering about - do online students still get access to things like emergency aid or hardship grants that traditional students might get? I know COVID created some special programs, but I'm not sure if those apply to online-only students or if schools have different policies for distance learners when it comes to emergency financial assistance.

I just wanted to add something that might be helpful - when you're comparing financial aid packages between online schools, make sure to look at the net price calculators on each school's website. These tools will give you a personalized estimate of what you'll actually pay after grants and scholarships, which can vary quite a bit between institutions even if your FAFSA eligibility is the same. Also, don't forget that some online programs qualify for state grants too, depending on where you live and where the school is located. I know California has some programs that work with certain out-of-state online schools. It's worth checking with your state's higher education agency to see what's available!

UPDATE: I finally got it fixed!! For anyone else with this problem, here's what worked: 1. I used Firefox instead of Safari 2. Cleared all cookies/cache 3. Found the new "Update Financial Information" button on the main application page 4. Had to re-verify my identity with FSA ID 5. THEN I could finally see and fill out the tax information section! Now waiting for the SAI calculation. Thank you everyone for your help - this community saved my sanity!

As someone who just went through this nightmare with my own kid's FAFSA, I feel your pain! The browser switching advice is spot on - I had to abandon Chrome completely. One thing that helped me was using the FAFSA mobile app as a backup to check if my information was actually being saved even when the desktop version wasn't displaying it properly. Sometimes the data was there, just not visible on the review page. Also, if you're still having issues after trying Firefox, consider doing the application during off-peak hours (early morning or late evening) when the servers aren't as overloaded. The system seems more stable then. Fingers crossed the "Update Financial Information" button solves it for you!

As someone who just went through this exact situation last month, I wanted to add that if you're still having trouble accessing your PHEAA application, there's one more option that worked for me. I called the PHEAA customer service line and they were able to create a temporary login for me over the phone. They just needed my SSN, DOB, and FAFSA confirmation number. The rep explained that they've had so many issues with their automated email system this year that they're basically doing manual account creation for anyone who calls. The whole call took maybe 15 minutes and I had access to my application immediately after. Just make sure to call during business hours (8am-5pm weekdays) because their after-hours system is even more broken than their regular one!

I'm a junior in high school starting to research financial aid for next year, and this thread is honestly terrifying! It sounds like PHEAA's system is a complete disaster. Are there any preventive steps I can take when I file my FAFSA next year to avoid these email issues? Like should I create a PHEAA account beforehand or is there a way to make sure my contact info gets transmitted properly? I really don't want to be scrambling to figure out workarounds when I should be focusing on my college applications. Also, does anyone know if other states have similar problems with their grant programs, or is this just a Pennsylvania thing?

Hey Grant, I just wanted to reach out because I'm in a somewhat similar situation - my mom is engaged to someone who makes significantly more than she does, and I'm terrified about what this will mean for my financial aid when I start applying to colleges next year. Reading through all these responses has been really eye-opening about how complex this whole process is. I had no idea that Ivy League schools have their own institutional policies that might be more flexible than federal aid rules. It sounds like you're being really proactive by meeting with your financial aid office - that gives me hope that there might be solutions available that aren't immediately obvious. I'm definitely going to start researching this stuff earlier rather than waiting until it becomes a crisis. Please do update us on how your meeting goes! I think there are probably a lot of students dealing with blended family financial aid issues who could benefit from hearing about your experience.

I'm really sorry you're going through this stress - it's such a difficult position to be in when family changes threaten your educational opportunities. I've been following financial aid policy for years and wanted to add a few thoughts to the excellent advice already given. One thing to emphasize is that Ivy League schools really do have more flexibility than people realize. Their endowments allow them to make exceptions that state schools or less well-funded private colleges simply can't afford. The key is presenting your case clearly and professionally. Also, timing matters here. Since your mom is marrying in June and you'll likely file your 2025-26 FAFSA in late 2024/early 2025, you might have nearly a full academic year under your current aid package before any changes take effect. Use this time strategically - maintain excellent grades, get involved on campus, and build relationships with faculty. Schools are much more willing to work with students who demonstrate they're thriving academically and contributing to campus life. Document everything about your stepfather's unwillingness to contribute. Even a simple email from your mom confirming his position could be helpful evidence in an appeal. The financial aid office needs concrete information to justify any special consideration. You've got this - don't give up on your dreams yet!