This is such a helpful thread! I'm going through something similar with my son - we also filed his FAFSA late and just found out he's eligible for Pell Grant funds. Reading through everyone's experiences here has been so reassuring. One thing I wanted to add is that some schools also have emergency aid funds available for students who need immediate assistance while waiting for their Pell Grant disbursements to process. My son's school has something called a "short-term loan" program that can bridge the gap if students need help with books or other expenses right away. It might be worth asking about if your daughter needs any immediate support while waiting for her refund. Thanks to everyone who shared their experiences - it really helps those of us who are new to navigating this process!

This whole thread has been incredibly helpful! I'm actually a recent college grad who went through the late FAFSA/Pell Grant process myself about three years ago. One thing I'd add is to make sure your daughter keeps all the documentation from this process - the disbursement notices, refund confirmations, etc. I needed mine later for verification purposes when I was applying for other aid programs. Also, if she's planning to continue her education beyond this degree (grad school, etc.), having a clean financial aid history with proper documentation really helps with future applications. It sounds like she's got great support from you advocating for her - that makes such a difference in navigating all this bureaucracy!

UPDATE: Problem solved! It was a combination of issues. First, I was using commas in the financial fields. Second, I was trying to save and come back later which seemed to confuse the system. Third, there was a mismatch in how I formatted my address in different sections. I created a brand new application, sat down for an hour uninterrupted, entered everything in one session, used only numbers without any formatting, and triple-checked that address formats matched exactly between sections. It FINALLY let me complete the parent contributor portion and sign! Thank you everyone for your suggestions. For anyone else dealing with this issue, try all of these approaches - it might be multiple small problems combined.

Congratulations on finally getting through! This is such a helpful summary for anyone else dealing with this nightmare. I'm bookmarking your update because it covers all the main issues people seem to be running into. The fact that it was multiple small problems combined makes so much sense - the new FAFSA system seems incredibly sensitive to formatting inconsistencies. Really appreciate you taking the time to share what ultimately worked!

after you fix it tell your son about something called READING THE DIRECTIONS lol my daughter did the same thing and i was like did you even look at the screen before clicking next

I went through this exact same situation with my daughter last fall! The good news is that corrections are definitely possible and the schools are used to seeing this mistake. Here's what worked for us: My daughter logged into studentaid.gov, selected "Make FAFSA Corrections," and added me as a contributor. I got the email invitation within minutes and was able to complete my section that same day. The whole correction process took about 2 hours total. The key thing is to email the financial aid office right after you submit the corrections to let them know you're fixing an error, not actually refusing to provide information. Most schools will put the affidavit request on hold once they know corrections are coming. Also, don't stress too much about the timeline - corrections typically process faster than initial submissions. We had our corrected FAFSA processed and sent to schools within 3 business days. You should be fine with 2 weeks to spare!

Congratulations Mary! This is such a relief to read. I'm currently dealing with a similar situation with my son's FAFSA - his father hasn't been in the picture for 3 years and the verification process has been a nightmare. Your step-by-step breakdown is incredibly helpful. I'm going to try the Claimyr service tomorrow and request the "Non-Custodial Parent Contribution Waiver" using your exact wording. It's so frustrating that the right terminology makes such a huge difference when you're already stressed about deadlines and your child's future. Thank you for taking the time to share what worked - this gives me hope that we can get through this too!

This thread is so valuable! As someone who works in higher education, I see families struggle with this exact issue constantly. Mary, your success story is going to help so many other parents who are dealing with non-cooperative ex-spouses. One additional tip for anyone reading this: if you're still having trouble after requesting the Non-Custodial Parent Contribution Waiver, ask the financial aid office about their appeals timeline. Some schools have multiple review periods, and if you miss one deadline, you might have to wait weeks for the next review committee meeting. Also, keep copies of EVERYTHING you submit - financial aid documents have a way of getting "lost" in the system, especially during busy periods. The persistence really pays off in these situations. Don't give up if the first person you talk to doesn't seem to understand your situation!

As someone who just went through this process with my oldest child last year, I'd echo what others have said about creating a new FSA ID if you had the old PIN system. One thing I'd add is to make sure you verify your identity through the FSA ID process ASAP - it can take 1-3 business days for that verification to complete, and you'll need it fully verified before you can sign your daughter's FAFSA. Also, keep your FSA ID login info somewhere safe because you'll need it not just for the initial FAFSA but also for any corrections, renewals, and potentially loan servicing down the road. The peace of mind of having everything set up and tested months in advance is worth it!

I went through this exact same situation last year with my son! Since you mentioned having login credentials from 15 years ago, you definitely had the old PIN system, not an FSA ID. The PIN system was completely discontinued, so you'll need to create a brand new FSA ID. I'd recommend doing it ASAP - not just because of the verification time (which can take a few days), but also because the new FAFSA system is much more sensitive about data matching. When you create your FSA ID, triple-check that your name matches your Social Security card exactly - even something like "Jr." vs "Junior" can cause problems. Also, once you create it, test logging in and out a few times to make sure everything works. The last thing you want is to discover login issues in October when everyone is trying to submit applications at once!