I just went through this exact situation with my daughter's 2024-2025 FAFSA! The stress is so real when you're worried about messing up something this important. Here's what I learned: the FAFSA system is definitely prioritizing SSN matching over exact name formatting. What I did was enter her first and last name exactly as the form allowed (no middle initial since there's no field), then in the Additional Information section I wrote: "Student's complete legal name per Social Security card is [First] [Middle Initial] [Last], SSN ending in [last 4 digits]. Middle initial omitted from application due to form field limitations." Her application went through smoothly and we never had any verification issues. The financial aid officers at her chosen school said they see this note frequently and it actually helps them process applications faster because they know upfront why there might be a slight name discrepancy. One tip: take a screenshot of that Additional Information section after you submit, just for your records. It really does give peace of mind knowing you've documented everything properly!

I'm going through this exact same issue right now with my son's FAFSA! It's so frustrating that they ask for the middle initial when setting up the FSA ID but then don't provide a field for it on the actual application. Reading through all these responses has been incredibly helpful - especially the detailed advice about using the Additional Information section to document the discrepancy. I had no idea that section even existed! It's reassuring to know that the system primarily matches by SSN and that so many families have successfully navigated this same problem. I'm definitely going to follow the advice about being very specific in that note and taking screenshots for my records. Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences - it really helps reduce the stress of worrying about messing up something this important!

One more thought - if your tax situation has changed drastically since your last filing (job loss, significant income reduction), you might actually WANT to go through verification. In that case, you can provide additional documentation showing your current financial situation through a process called Professional Judgment review AFTER your FAFSA is processed. This might get you more aid than what your tax return suggests you qualify for.

Just wanted to add my experience as someone who's done both methods. Used manual entry my freshman year (2020) and got selected for verification - had to provide tax transcripts, W-2s, and bank statements. It was stressful and delayed my aid package. Since then I've used the IRS Data Retrieval Tool every year and never had verification issues. The tool pulls the exact data the IRS has on file, so there's literally no chance of typos or transcription errors. Plus it populates everything automatically so you don't have to hunt through your tax forms for specific line numbers. Definitely go with the IRS tool if you're eligible!

Great progress! How did you finally manage to get through to them? I'm still hearing from families who can't reach anyone after trying for weeks.

I'm so sorry this happened to your son and it's alarming how many families are experiencing the same issue with 2005-born students. As a newcomer to this community, I've been reading through all these responses and I'm really grateful everyone is sharing their experiences and solutions. I wanted to add that if you're still having trouble getting through to the IRS, you might also try calling early in the morning (around 7 AM local time) when they first open - that's when call volumes are typically lowest. Also, the Taxpayer Advocate Service (1-877-777-4778) can sometimes help expedite identity theft cases when regular channels aren't working. For anyone else reading this thread, it might be worth checking if your state has additional identity theft resources. Some states have their own victim assistance programs that can help coordinate between federal agencies and provide additional documentation that colleges might accept. Stay strong - it sounds like you're taking all the right steps and advocating well for your son!

Update: My Student Aid Report came through! My SAI is 4,289 - is that considered high or low? What kind of aid might I qualify for with this number?

That's awesome that your SAR came through so quickly! An SAI of 4,289 is definitely on the lower side, which means you should qualify for decent financial aid. For reference, the maximum Pell Grant eligibility usually goes up to an SAI around 7,000-7,500 (depending on the year), so you're well within that range. You'll probably get some Pell Grant money, subsidized loans where the government pays interest while you're in school, and potentially work-study opportunities. The exact amount will depend on each school's cost of attendance, but you're in a good position! Make sure to keep an eye out for your financial aid award letters from the schools you applied to - they should start coming in soon.

One important thing to remember is that your SAI (Student Aid Index) will be calculated separately for each student, but using the same household financial information. Having two in college simultaneously is actually beneficial because your expected family contribution gets split between them. Make sure both FAFSA applications indicate multiple family members in college - this alone can significantly increase your aid eligibility even without appeals. When you do file those professional judgment appeals, make sure to emphasize that you have two children in college at once. Financial aid officers have considerable discretion, and demonstrating this double financial burden can help your case.

I just went thru this whole mess with my kids. Let me save u some time. FIRST, fill out the FAFSA exactly as required with 2023 info. DON'T try to outsmart the system or they'll flag your app for verification which is a whole other nightmare. THEN immediately email the financial aid departments explaining your situation. Most have specific forms for income adjustments. When my bonus made my income look artificially high, I had to provide: 1) 2022 taxes showing "normal" income 2) 2023 taxes with the bonus 3) Letter from employer confirming one-time nature of bonus 4) Recent pay stubs I got about 60% of schools to adjust our aid. Private schools were MUCH more willing to help than public ones. The state schools basically said "tough luck" while smaller private colleges actually revised everything. Good luck!!