I'm in a very similar situation - SAI of 18,500 with twins starting college next year. What I've learned from going through this process is that the SAI is really just the starting point for financial aid conversations, not the final word. A few things that helped us: - Many schools will still offer work-study even with higher SAIs - Look into state grant programs - some have higher income limits than federal aid - Consider community college for gen eds if the costs become unmanageable (my neighbor's daughter did 2 years CC then transferred and saved over $40k) The anxiety is real when you see that number, but don't panic yet. Wait to see what the actual financial aid packages look like from her schools. And definitely have her apply to a few "safety" schools that offer good merit aid - sometimes they'll offer more money to attract students who might otherwise go elsewhere. You've got this! The system is frustrating but there are usually more options than it initially appears.

I completely understand that sinking feeling when you see a higher SAI than expected! I went through something similar last year with my oldest. A few additional thoughts that might help: 1. Don't overlook state schools - many have excellent programs at much lower costs, and some offer automatic merit scholarships based on GPA/test scores regardless of need. 2. If your daughter is considering any particular majors, look into field-specific scholarships. STEM fields, teaching, healthcare, etc. often have dedicated funding sources. 3. Some schools have "middle-income" assistance programs specifically for families like yours who don't qualify for need-based aid but can't afford full pay either. 4. Consider having your daughter take a gap year to work and save money, or to apply to additional schools with better merit aid. I know it's not ideal, but it could save thousands in the long run. The multiple kids in college situation is definitely tough with the new FAFSA changes, but as others have mentioned, schools can still make adjustments. Hang in there - you'll figure out a path that works for your family!

Update: Just got my Student Aid Report this morning! It confirms my SAI is -1500. Now waiting to hear from my schools about their specific packages. Thanks everyone for your help with understanding what this means!

Awesome that you got your SAR so quickly! With a -1500 SAI, you're definitely in a strong position. Just wanted to add - when you get your award letters from schools, don't be afraid to appeal if the package isn't quite enough. Many schools have appeals processes where you can explain special circumstances or request more institutional aid. Also, if you have multiple offers, schools will sometimes match or beat competing offers. Good luck with everything!

Update: I just checked the state higher education agency website for several states, and at least three states have announced small reductions to their grant programs due to higher-than-expected applicant numbers this year. This might explain what you're experiencing. If this is a state-wide reduction, you have an even stronger case when asking your colleges for additional institutional aid to offset the difference. Be sure to emphasize your negative SAI and that you made college choices based partly on the original financial aid packages.

I'm a first-gen student too and went through something similar last year! The sudden changes in state grants are unfortunately super common, especially around this time when states finalize their budgets. Here's what worked for me: When you call the state office, ask specifically for the "appeals" or "reconsideration" department - they usually know more about why changes happen than the general customer service folks. Also, get the name of whoever you talk to and ask for a reference number for your case. For the colleges, I'd email their financial aid offices first with screenshots of both your original and current grant amounts before calling. That way they have documentation right away. Most schools I dealt with were really understanding about state grant reductions, especially for students with negative SAIs like yours. Don't panic too much - with your -1500 SAI, you clearly qualify for maximum need-based aid, so the schools will likely work with you. Just be persistent and don't take "no" for an answer on the first try. You've got this!

I'm dealing with this exact same issue right now! My FAFSA application keeps getting stuck when I try to enter my parent's investment account information and my summer job earnings. I've been refreshing the same page for two days straight and was starting to panic about missing our school's deadline. Reading through all these experiences and solutions has been such a huge relief - it's clearly a widespread system bug, not something we're doing wrong. I'm going to try Lucas's 24-hour reset method tonight, entering each financial section separately with the full waiting period between them. It's incredibly frustrating that families have to deal with these technical glitches during such a stressful and time-sensitive process, but I'm so grateful for this community sharing practical workarounds. Thank you to everyone who took the time to document what worked for them - it's making such a difference for those of us still struggling with these broken FAFSA systems!

I'm currently experiencing this exact same problem with my 2025-2026 FAFSA! My application keeps freezing on the financial information section when I try to enter my parents' checking account balance and the small amount of child support we receive. I've been stuck on this for almost a week now and was getting really worried about missing deadlines. Reading through all these experiences and solutions has been incredibly helpful - it's such a relief to know this is a known system bug and not something I'm doing wrong. I'm definitely going to try Lucas's 24-hour reset method, entering each financial section separately with the full waiting period. It's really frustrating that such an important application has these kinds of technical issues, but I'm so grateful for this community sharing practical workarounds that actually work. Thank you all for documenting your experiences - it gives me hope that I can get this resolved!

Don't forget to also check if your school offers emergency grants or hardship funds! Many colleges have discretionary funds specifically for students whose family situations change after the FAFSA is filed. These are often separate from the regular financial aid process and can provide additional help to close that gap. When you call about the professional judgment review, ask specifically about these emergency assistance programs too. Some schools also have textbook vouchers or meal plan assistance that can reduce your out-of-pocket costs in other ways. Good luck with your appeal!

Just want to add another option that helped me - look into state-specific grant programs too! Many states have additional need-based grants that aren't automatically included in your federal aid package. In my state, I found an extra $2,000 grant I didn't know existed until I dug deeper into the state financial aid website. Also, if you're considering community college for your first two years to save money, make sure to research transfer agreements with your target four-year school - sometimes you can get guaranteed admission and scholarships for transfer students. It's not ideal if you had your heart set on the full four-year experience, but it can cut your total debt significantly while still getting you to your goal degree.