UPDATE: We got it fixed! After trying the Help/Contact Us method that @profile2 suggested, we still didn't see any change after 3 days. Finally broke down and used that Claimyr service to get through to an FSA agent without the 2+ hour wait. The agent confirmed it was indeed a known system issue with the contributor invitations not linking properly. They had to do some kind of manual override on their end - took about 15 minutes while on the phone. We immediately saw the application appear in both parent accounts afterward! For anyone else facing this issue, definitely worth getting help directly from FSA rather than waiting to see if it resolves itself. Thanks everyone for your help!

So glad to see this thread with the solution! I'm dealing with this exact same issue right now - my daughter sent invitations to me and my ex-husband last Tuesday and we still can't see anything in our accounts. It's reassuring to know this is a widespread technical problem and not something we're doing wrong. I'm going to try the Claimyr service route since calling FSA directly seems like a nightmare with the wait times. Thanks @anastasia for the detailed update about what information to have ready when you do get through to an agent!

why is fafsa still using 2023 taxes anyway??? my income is TOTALLY different now than it was 2 years ago. the whole system is so stupid!!!!

I went through a similar situation last year and here's what helped me navigate it: First, yes - you'll be the contributor parent for both kids since you provide majority financial support, regardless of who claims them on taxes. The new FAFSA rules are clear on this. For the joint 2023 taxes issue, here's what worked for me: 1. Complete the FAFSA initially using your joint return info 2. Immediately contact each school's financial aid office to explain your situation 3. They'll likely ask for your individual W-2s from 2023 to separate your income from your ex's 4. Be prepared to provide your divorce decree once it's finalized Pro tip: Start gathering documentation NOW - your 2023 W-2s, bank statements showing you pay for kids' expenses, any support documentation, etc. Having everything organized made the process so much smoother. Most schools are experienced with divorce situations and were actually very helpful once I explained what was happening. Don't stress too much - this is more common than you think!

I'm a newcomer to this community but wanted to share what I learned after going through a similar nightmare with my blended family FAFSA situation last year. Like many of you, my stepson's aid was calculated using my income even though I had no legal obligation to pay for his education. What ultimately worked for us was being extremely strategic about which schools to target. I spent weeks researching financial aid policies at different universities and found that schools with larger endowments and need-blind admissions tend to have more flexibility with professional judgment appeals. We also discovered that some CSS Profile schools actually consider family circumstances that FAFSA completely ignores. The documentation approach mentioned by others here is crucial - we included our prenuptial agreement, separate bank account statements, and even a notarized letter from my stepson's biological mother confirming she and my husband were responsible for education costs. Three schools actually removed my income from the calculation entirely after our appeal. One unexpected tip: consider applying to schools in states where your student would qualify for in-state tuition through reciprocity agreements or merit programs. Sometimes geographic diversity can work in your favor for both admissions and aid. It's a broken system, but there are definitely ways to work within it if you're persistent and strategic about your approach!

I'm new to this community but unfortunately very familiar with this exact problem! My stepchildren and I went through the same FAFSA nightmare two years ago. What saved us was getting really organized with our appeals process early on. Here's what I wish someone had told me from the start: create a "blended family financial aid toolkit" that you can customize for each school. Include your marriage agreement/prenup, separate bank statements, documentation of the absent parent's non-involvement, and a clear family financial breakdown showing actual responsibilities vs. FAFSA assumptions. The other game-changer was timing - start reaching out to financial aid offices in January, not after you get your aid letters in March. Many schools have informal pre-application consultations where they'll tell you exactly what documentation they need for professional judgment reviews. Also consider this: some schools actually prefer CSS Profile over FAFSA for exactly these complex family situations. The Profile has more nuanced questions about household composition and financial responsibilities. It's more work to fill out, but schools that use it tend to be better equipped to handle blended family appeals. Don't give up - the system is broken, but there are definitely schools out there that will work with you once they understand your actual situation!

I had this exact same problem yesterday! What finally worked for me was switching to Microsoft Edge browser and clearing all my cookies first. The correction button showed up immediately after that. Also make sure your FAFSA status shows "Completed" with an SAI number - if it's still showing "Processing" the correction option won't appear no matter what browser you use. Hope this helps someone avoid the hours of frustration I went through!

I've been having the exact same issue since this morning! Thanks to everyone who shared their solutions - I tried switching to Edge browser and clearing my cache like some of you suggested, and I can finally see the correction option now. For anyone still stuck: make sure your FAFSA shows "Completed" status first (mine took 10 days to process), then try Edge browser with cleared cookies. The "Make FAFSA Correction" button should appear at the bottom when you view your FAFSA. The school selection section is buried a few clicks deep in the correction menu but it's there! Good luck everyone - this system really needs to be more user-friendly.

Just wanted to add - if you're using the IRS Data Retrieval Tool (DRT) to import tax information, make sure your parents' tax return has been processed by the IRS first. The tool won't work if their return is still being processed, and manually entering tax info can lead to verification issues later. Also, if your parents are divorced or separated, double-check which parent's information you need to use based on the FAFSA rules - it's not always the parent you live with most of the time, but rather the one who provided more financial support. Good luck with your submission tomorrow!

Hey! As someone who just went through this process, I can confirm that May 1 deadline means you have until 11:59 PM ON May 1st to submit - not April 30th. I was in a similar panic last year when I needed to wait for my mom's W-2 correction. Just make sure you have all your documents ready before you start so you can complete it in one sitting. The FAFSA saves your progress, but it's better to finish it completely once you begin. Also, if you're worried about server issues (which do happen on deadline days), try submitting earlier in the day rather than waiting until evening. You've got this!