One more strategy: If your school has a payment plan option, sometimes that's better than taking additional loans. My university lets students spread payments across 4-5 months each semester with just a small setup fee ($45). If you can work part-time or get family to help with those payments, you might be able to avoid some of the additional debt this year.

Another option to explore is working as a tutor or teaching assistant if your school offers those positions. Many universities have work-study programs or campus jobs that pay well and work around your class schedule. I worked as a math tutor my last two years and made about $2,400 per semester - not huge money, but it helped cover books and some living expenses so I didn't have to borrow as much. Also, don't overlook summer work opportunities. Some education majors I know worked at summer camps or tutoring programs that paid decent money and gave them relevant experience for their field. Every bit you can earn now means less you'll owe later with interest!

As a newcomer to all this, I just wanted to say how helpful this thread has been! My son's FAFSA was just processed too and I had no idea about the separate PA state grant application. Quick question - when you create the PHEAA account, does it need to be in the student's name or can parents create it? Also, is there a mobile app or do you have to do everything through the website? Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences - it's so reassuring to know other families are going through the same learning curve!

Welcome to the PA financial aid journey! Just to add one more helpful tip that I learned the hard way - when you're filling out the State Grant Form on PHEAA, double-check that your daughter's Social Security Number matches exactly what was used on the FAFSA. Even a single digit difference can cause delays in processing. Also, if your daughter hasn't chosen her college yet, you can still complete the SGF and update the school information later. The important thing is getting the application submitted before those deadlines everyone mentioned. I made the mistake of waiting until we knew which school she'd attend, and we almost missed the May 1st deadline! Good luck with everything - you've got this!

This is such a heartbreaking situation, and unfortunately I've seen it happen more often than it should. What really gets me is how the manipulative parent probably framed it to the student as "just temporary" or "easier this way" when they knew full well they were violating a court order and sticking their kid with debt. Beyond all the excellent legal advice already given, I'd suggest your friend also consider reaching out to their college's financial aid office to see if they have any emergency assistance programs or can help restructure payment plans while the court case is pending. Some schools have seen enough of these divorced parent situations that they have specific protocols to help students caught in the middle. The most important thing is that your friend understands this manipulation isn't normal parent behavior and they deserve better from both parents.

This situation is absolutely infuriating and sadly way too common. As someone who works in higher education administration, I see these divorced parent schemes all the time. What makes me especially angry is that the manipulative parent probably convinced your friend this was "no big deal" or "just for now" when they knew damn well they were breaking a court order and potentially ruining their kid's financial future. One thing I haven't seen mentioned yet - your friend should also check if their state has any specific statutes about educational support obligations. Some states have additional protections beyond just the divorce decree that could strengthen their case. Also, the paying parent might want to consider asking the court for attorney's fees as part of the contempt motion since they're having to spend money to enforce something that should have been automatic. The most important thing is acting fast. Courts don't look kindly on parents who use their children as pawns to dodge legal obligations, but timing matters for enforcement actions. Document everything and file that motion immediately!

Just wanted to add another perspective as someone who works with FAFSA applications regularly - you're absolutely doing the right thing by reporting your dad's benefits. The key thing to remember is that the FAFSA is designed to capture your household's true financial picture, and that includes all sources of support. Since you're claiming your dad as a dependent AND he lives in your household, his benefits definitely count. The system actually rewards families in situations like yours because it recognizes you have additional people to support on your income. Don't second-guess yourself - accurate reporting will get your daughter the maximum aid she's entitled to!

I'm new here but dealing with a very similar situation! My mom lives with us and gets SSI, and I was so confused about whether to report it. Reading through all these responses has been incredibly helpful - especially learning that reporting benefits can actually help rather than hurt aid eligibility. It's reassuring to know that the FAFSA is designed to recognize when families are supporting additional household members. Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences!

As someone who works in financial aid, I want to emphasize that the TPD discharge process is completely separate from FAFSA completion, so don't let it delay your son's application! Since you receive SSDI, you're likely eligible for the automatic verification route through Social Security records. One thing I always tell parents - even if your TPD discharge is still pending, make sure to update your son's FAFSA once it's approved because discharged loans can actually improve his aid eligibility by showing greater financial need. The key is to keep both processes moving forward simultaneously. Also, definitely heed the advice about the 3-year monitoring period - it's real and catches a lot of people off guard. Best of luck with both applications!

I just wanted to chime in as someone who successfully completed the TPD discharge process last year through the SSDI route. The automatic verification worked for me, but it still took about 8-10 weeks to get final approval even though they could match my records electronically. During that waiting period, I was stressed about whether I should continue making loan payments, but the TPD servicer told me to stop payments once my application was submitted and under review. Just wanted to mention this because I wish someone had told me earlier - you're not required to keep paying while your application is being processed. Also, definitely keep detailed records of all communications and save confirmation emails, because there were a few times I had to reference back to prove I had submitted certain information. The whole process was worth it in the end, and it's such a relief to have that debt burden lifted. Hope your application goes smoothly!