I'm so grateful I found this discussion! I literally just went through this exact same panic last night when I submitted my daughter's FAFSA. I kept going back through every single page thinking I must have accidentally skipped the bank account section or that there was some kind of technical glitch. It's honestly such a relief to read that this is completely intentional and that so many other families have had the identical experience. The new simplified system focusing on income rather than assets makes perfect sense once you understand it - it just would have been so helpful if they'd included even a brief note on the form explaining why certain questions don't appear. After reading everyone's explanations about the SAI calculation, I'm actually really optimistic that this change could help more students like my daughter access the aid they need. Thank you to this amazing community for helping ease the anxiety of us newcomers navigating these major changes!

I'm going through the exact same thing right now! Just completed my twin sons' FAFSAs yesterday and spent the entire evening questioning whether I somehow messed up both applications when neither asked about our bank accounts. It's such a huge relief to read through everyone's experiences here and learn that this is completely intentional with the new system. I was literally comparing the screens to screenshots I found online from previous years thinking something had to be broken. The simplified approach focusing on income makes so much sense once you understand it, but like everyone else has mentioned, the Department of Education really should have included some kind of explanation right on the form. Even something as simple as "Asset questions simplified for your income bracket" would have prevented so much unnecessary anxiety! After reading all the responses about the new SAI calculation, I'm actually cautiously optimistic that both boys might qualify for better aid than we initially expected. Thank you to this community for being so helpful in explaining these changes - it's been invaluable for newcomers like me trying to navigate this process!

Don't stress too much about your SAI of 19972! I'm a current college sophomore who had almost the exact same SAI (mine was 20,100) and I was able to make college work financially. Here's what I learned: your SAI is just the starting point, not the end of the story. Yes, you won't qualify for Pell Grants, but you'll definitely get federal student loans ($5,500 for freshman year). What really surprised me was how much institutional aid varied between schools - I got offered everything from just loans at one state school to a $15,000 annual merit scholarship at a private college that brought my costs way down. My advice: apply to a mix of schools, fill out every scholarship application you can find (especially local ones through your community/high school), and don't make any decisions until you can compare all your actual financial aid packages side by side. The "sticker price" of college is rarely what you actually pay, especially with your middle-range SAI. You've got more options than you think!

Your SAI of 19972 is actually right in the middle range - not low enough for Pell Grants but definitely not high enough to disqualify you from other aid! I work with students on college planning and see this SAI level frequently. Here's what you should know: 1) You'll qualify for federal Direct Loans ($5,500 freshman year), 2) Many colleges have institutional grants that aren't tied to Pell eligibility, and 3) Your actual out-of-pocket costs will vary dramatically between schools. I'd strongly recommend applying to a diverse mix of colleges - some state schools, some private colleges with good endowments, and maybe a community college as a backup. The private schools might surprise you with merit aid that makes them competitive with public options. Don't panic yet - wait until you have all your financial aid letters to compare. Many families with your SAI range find affordable paths to college, especially when they explore all their options!

Thanks everyone for all the helpful responses! I've learned that: 1. FAFSA is once per academic year (not per semester) 2. The application now opens December 1st (not October 1st) 3. Summer classes might require a separate form from my school, but not a new FAFSA 4. I should watch for major life changes that might require FAFSA updates This clears up so much confusion. My roommate was definitely mixing up FAFSA with something else!

Hey Nia! Just wanted to add that it's also worth setting up an FSA ID if you haven't already - you'll need it every year to electronically sign your FAFSA. And pro tip: bookmark the official FAFSA website (studentaid.gov/fafsa) because there are a lot of scam sites that look similar and charge fees for something that's completely free. Your financial aid office is also a great resource if you run into any issues during the application process. Good luck with your spring semester!

As someone new to this community but currently going through the exact same situation, I just wanted to say how incredibly helpful this entire thread has been! My daughter is also a QuestBridge finalist applying ED to an Ivy, and we were completely stumped by that same IDOC question about submitting FAFSA before November 15th. Reading everyone's experiences and advice has been such a relief - especially learning that we should just answer "no" since the FAFSA literally doesn't open until December 1st, and that the CSS Profile is actually more important for these schools anyway. As first-generation college parents, we've been feeling so overwhelmed trying to navigate all these different systems and deadlines. The tips about taking screenshots of everything, creating spreadsheets to track deadlines, and setting up individual school financial aid portals are definitely things we'll be implementing right away. It's also encouraging to hear success stories from other QuestBridge families who went through this process. Thank you to everyone who shared their knowledge and experiences - this community support makes such a difference when you're trying to figure out these complex financial aid systems!

Just wanted to jump in as someone who went through this exact process two years ago with my son who was also a QuestBridge finalist! That IDOC question about submitting FAFSA before November 15th had us completely confused too - we actually called the college's financial aid office in a panic thinking we had missed some critical deadline. What I learned is that these systems (CSS Profile, IDOC, FAFSA) were built at different times and unfortunately don't always sync up perfectly, especially with all the FAFSA delays in recent years. The admissions counselor we spoke with just laughed and said they get this question constantly during ED season. For what it's worth, my son didn't Match through QuestBridge but got into his ED school with an incredible financial aid package - better than we ever imagined possible. The CSS Profile really is the key document for these private schools, so focus on making sure that's complete and accurate. One practical tip: keep a detailed record of every document you submit and when. We had to resubmit tax forms twice because they got "lost" in the system, but having our submission confirmations saved us a lot of stress. Your daughter sounds like she's in an amazing position as a QuestBridge finalist - that recognition alone opens so many doors! Wishing your family the best of luck with the ED process.

Your SAI of 2906 is actually really good news! As someone who just went through this process last year, I can tell you that with your family income and that SAI, you're likely looking at getting a substantial Pell Grant (probably around $4,000-5,000), plus you'll qualify for subsidized federal loans where the government pays the interest while you're in school. The key thing to remember is that your SAI isn't what you'll pay - it's what colleges use to calculate how much aid you need. So if your school costs $20,000 total and your SAI is $2,906, your "financial need" would be around $17,094, and the school will try to meet that with grants, loans, and work-study. Keep trying to reach your financial aid office, but also check if they have online chat or email options. Many schools are swamped right now but are pretty responsive to emails. You're in a much better position than you think!

Just wanted to add one more resource that might help while you're waiting to hear back from your school's financial aid office! The Federal Student Aid website has a really useful aid estimator tool where you can plug in your SAI and get a rough idea of what federal aid you might qualify for. It won't tell you about institutional or state aid, but it can give you a baseline. Also, since you mentioned being a first-gen student - many colleges have special programs and additional support for first-gen students that can include extra grants or scholarships. When you do connect with your financial aid office, definitely mention that you're first-generation. Some schools have separate funding pools specifically for students like us! With your SAI of 2906, you're honestly in a really good position. I know the waiting and uncertainty is stressful, but try not to worry too much. The system is designed to help students in your situation afford college!