i had a similar issue and found out my SAI was calculated wrong because my parents tax info was entered incorrectly on FAFSA.. might want to double check all that stuff too just in case

I went through this exact situation with my daughter at Pitt last year! The key thing that saved us was getting everything documented in writing. When you call PHEAA (definitely use that 1-800-692-7392 number mentioned above), ask them to EMAIL you a summary of what's needed to resolve the hold. This way you have proof for the school about what's happening. Also - and this is important - if the delay goes beyond 30 days and it's truly PHEAA's fault (not missing docs on your end), you can request a "hardship deferment" from Penn State's financial aid office. They can sometimes work with you on payment plans or temporary holds while waiting for state funding. One more tip: if your daughter qualifies for work-study, ask if she can get those funds released early to help with the account balance while waiting for PHEAA. Some schools are flexible about this in cases of state grant delays. Keep pushing - the squeaky wheel gets the grease with both PHEAA and university bureaucracy!

So this whole thread is making me wonder...do TSP accounts count? My husband is military and has a Thrift Savings Plan. Is that considered a retirement account for FAFSA purposes? Anyone know?

This thread has been incredibly helpful! As someone who just went through this process with my oldest child, I want to emphasize how important it is to follow the official FAFSA instructions exactly. The retirement account exclusion has been consistent for years - 401k, 403b, traditional/Roth IRAs, pension plans, and TSP accounts are all excluded from asset reporting on FAFSA. One tip that might help others: when you're filling out the FAFSA online, there's actually a helpful tooltip next to the assets section that specifically lists what NOT to include, and retirement accounts are clearly mentioned there. If you're ever unsure about any financial question on FAFSA, those little question mark icons throughout the form provide official guidance that can save you from second-guessing yourself. Good luck to everyone working on their applications!

Thanks everyone for the helpful info! I think I understand it now - FAFSA just collects my info and shares it with all my selected schools, then each school decides individually how much aid to offer me based on my financial need, and I'll only actually get money from the school I end up attending. I'll make sure to add all 7 schools I'm applying to!

Great summary Lydia! You've definitely got the right idea now. One more thing I'd add - once you start receiving those financial aid award letters from each school, don't just look at the total dollar amount. Make sure to break down what's grants/scholarships (free money you don't pay back) versus loans (money you'll need to repay). Sometimes a school that offers less total aid might actually be giving you more "free" money, which could make it the better financial choice in the long run. Best of luck with your applications!

Just wanted to add my experience as someone who went through this exact situation last year! We had the same confusion about FSA IDs when our second child started college. What helped me was creating a simple spreadsheet to track who had which FSA ID - it sounds silly but with all the financial aid deadlines and forms, it's easy to get mixed up. Also, since you mentioned you'll have two in college simultaneously, make sure to submit both FAFSA applications around the same time if possible. Some schools have limited aid budgets and it's first-come-first-served, so getting both kids' applications in early can be crucial even though the multi-student discount is gone. Good luck with the process - it's definitely overwhelming but you've got this!

As someone who works in financial aid at a state university, I can confirm everything that's been shared here about FSA IDs - one per person for life, tied to your SSN. But I wanted to add something important that hasn't been mentioned yet: when you're completing the FAFSA for your second child, make sure to double-check that all your tax and asset information is consistent between both applications. The Department of Education does cross-reference data between family members' applications, and any discrepancies can trigger verification requests or delays in processing. Also, even though the federal multi-student benefit is gone, don't forget to check if your state has any grant programs that still consider multiple students - some states haven't updated their formulas yet. Finally, if either child is considering a gap year or changing enrollment status, that could affect the other's aid eligibility, so plan carefully!

UPDATE: You guys were right! I went to the financial aid office with my passport and SAR printout showing the C-code. They had a specific form for citizenship verification that I had to fill out. They made a copy of my passport and said they would update my status in the system within 3-5 business days. The financial aid advisor I spoke with (asked for someone experienced with verification like you suggested) said this happens quite frequently and that I should be all set once they process the verification. Thank you all for your help!

Great outcome! This is exactly why I always recommend students print out their SAR and look for those comment codes - they contain crucial information that explains delays. The C-code system isn't well explained to students, which creates so much unnecessary stress. For anyone else reading this thread in the future: if your FAFSA shows "processed" but your school says they haven't received it, always check your SAR for C-codes first. Common ones include C-146 (citizenship verification), C-133 (conflicting SSN info), and C-20 (selective service registration). Each one has a specific resolution process, and knowing the exact code saves you from getting bounced between offices. Ryder, keep checking your student portal over the next week - once the verification clears, your aid should disburse pretty quickly!