I wanted to update everyone. I spoke with two college financial aid offices, and both confirmed I need to include my income on the FAFSA since I'm married to her mom. However, they both said they routinely handle situations like ours through their special circumstances review process. One school actually has a specific form for "Change in Household Composition" that perfectly fits our situation! They said to submit the FAFSA as required, then immediately submit their supplemental form explaining when my stepdaughter joined our household. The second school doesn't have a specific form but said to write a detailed letter and provide documentation of her arrival date. They were very reassuring that they can make adjustments. Thanks everyone for your help! This process is still frustrating but I feel like we have a path forward now.

Thanks for sharing this update! It's really encouraging to hear that the financial aid offices were understanding about your situation. I'm dealing with something similar with my stepson - he's been with us for 2 years but my income is really going to hurt his aid eligibility. Did the schools give you any sense of how much they might be able to adjust the aid package? I know every situation is different, but I'm trying to get a realistic expectation of what "professional judgment" actually means in practice. Also, how long did they say the review process typically takes? Your experience gives me hope that there might be some flexibility in the system after all!

Just to follow up on your specific account recovery issue - if you've tried the online account recovery and it's still sending codes to an inaccessible email, calling FSA directly is really your only option. When you call, have these items ready: 1. Your Social Security Number 2. Your date of birth 3. Your name exactly as it appears on your Social Security card 4. Your current contact information 5. A new email address you want to use The agent will ask security questions to verify your identity before updating your contact information. Once updated, you can go through the password reset process again. One final note: don't create a new FSA ID if you already have one verified with your SSN - the system will detect the duplicate information and potentially flag your daughter's application for verification, which would delay her financial aid.

I went through this exact same situation last month! Just to confirm what others have said - yes, you absolutely need YOUR own FSA ID as the parent contributor. Each person involved in the FAFSA (student, parents) needs their own unique FSA ID linked to their own Social Security Number. Since you can't access your old email for account recovery, calling FSA directly is unfortunately your best bet. I know the wait times are brutal, but they can verify your identity over the phone and update your contact information. When I called, it took about 90 minutes to get through, but the agent was very helpful once I reached them. One tip: try calling right when they open (8am EST) - I found the wait times were slightly shorter first thing in the morning. Good luck with getting this sorted out before your daughter's deadline!

Update: I finally got it to work! I put 4 for household size (including my husband) and was able to complete that section. Turns out tax filing status and FAFSA household definition are completely different things. For anyone else confused - if you're married, you count your spouse in the FAFSA household regardless of how you file taxes. Thanks everyone for your help!

Congrats on getting it figured out! This is such a common confusion point with the new FAFSA. I'm a first-time filer and was worried I'd make the same mistake. Your experience really helps clarify that marital status and tax filing status are treated completely differently for financial aid purposes. Definitely saving this thread for reference when I fill out my form next week!

I'm sorry for your loss, Elin. Going through financial planning while grieving is incredibly difficult. As someone who just went through the FAFSA process with my youngest, I want to echo what others have said - definitely keep that inheritance as a parent asset. The 20% vs 5.64% assessment rate difference is huge when you're already stretching every dollar. One additional thought: since you mentioned you're filing "for next year," make sure you understand the timing. The 2025-2026 FAFSA (for fall 2025 enrollment) will be based on your 2023 tax year income but current asset balances when you file. So you have some time to make strategic decisions about where to place these funds. The retirement account suggestion from others is really smart if you can afford to tie up some of the money long-term. Also, document everything about this inheritance - when you received it, from where, etc. Financial aid offices sometimes ask for clarification on large asset changes, and having clear documentation will make any conversations much smoother.

I'm so sorry for your loss, and I really admire how you're thinking ahead about your son's financial aid despite everything you're going through. Everyone here has given you excellent advice about keeping it as a parent asset - that 20% vs 5.64% assessment rate difference is absolutely crucial at your income level. One thing I wanted to add that I learned the hard way: if you do decide to put some of this toward your IRA (which is a great strategy since retirement accounts don't count on FAFSA), make sure you understand the contribution limits and deadlines. For 2024, you can still contribute up to $7,000 to an IRA until April 15, 2025. If you're over 50, it's $8,000. That could be a perfect way to shelter most of this inheritance while still keeping some accessible for emergencies. Also, don't forget that the FAFSA will need to be renewed every year your son is in college, so this strategic thinking about assets will be relevant for multiple years, not just his freshman year. You're being really smart to get this right from the start.

I'm dealing with a very similar situation right now with my son who wants to study animation. The financial reality of art school is really hitting home for a lot of families this year. One thing that's helped me is connecting with current students and recent graduates from the school on LinkedIn - many are surprisingly open about sharing their experiences with debt vs. career outcomes. Some told me they wished they'd gone the community college + transfer route, while others said the networking at their expensive art school was worth it. Have you considered looking into online programs or hybrid options? Schools like SCAD Online or even platforms like Gnomon Workshop offer high-quality instruction at a fraction of traditional art school costs. The industry is becoming more accepting of non-traditional educational paths, especially if the portfolio is strong. Also, if your daughter is set on illustration specifically, consider reaching out to working illustrators in your area (try local art centers, design firms, or even social media). Many are willing to mentor or provide informational interviews, and some might offer portfolio reviews that could help her stand out for additional scholarships. Hang in there - this is such a tough decision but there are definitely paths forward that won't break the bank.

I'm going through the exact same struggle with my daughter who wants to study digital media arts. The $40k+ price tags are just insane, especially when you factor in the reality of art industry salaries. One thing that's helped us is looking at schools that offer co-op programs where students alternate between classroom learning and paid work experience. Schools like Drexel, RIT, and some state universities have these programs specifically for art/design majors. The work experience helps offset costs AND gives students real portfolio pieces and industry connections. Also, don't overlook merit scholarships that aren't need-based. Many art schools offer automatic scholarships based on portfolio strength and GPA that aren't tied to your FAFSA at all. My daughter's friend got a $15k/year merit scholarship just for having a 3.7 GPA and strong portfolio - no financial need involved. Have you looked into whether your state has any grants specifically for arts education? Some states have programs to keep creative talent in-state. It's worth checking your state's higher education website. Lastly, I'll echo what others said about community college transfers - but make sure the credits will actually transfer to her target program before committing. Some art programs are very particular about foundational courses. Stay strong - there are definitely ways to make this work without crushing debt!