Update: I used the Claimyr service and got through to a FAFSA agent who was super helpful. They confirmed the issue was on their end - mom's birthdate was entered incorrectly in their system decades ago. We have to visit the Social Security office with her birth certificate to get it corrected. The agent put a note on my file about the situation and told me to request a deadline extension from my school's financial aid office. Thank you everyone for your help! I'll post another update once everything is resolved.

Great to hear you got through to someone who could actually help! Just wanted to add - when you go to the Social Security office, bring multiple forms of ID beyond just the birth certificate if you have them (passport, driver's license, etc.). Sometimes they want extra verification for these types of corrections, especially if the error has been in their system for a long time. Also, if your mom is naturalized, bringing her naturalization certificate can speed things up since immigration-related records sometimes have these kinds of discrepancies. Good luck with getting everything sorted before your deadline!

As a newcomer to this community, I'm so relieved to find this discussion! My son's FAFSA has been stuck "In Review" for nearly 3 weeks now, and I was starting to think we'd done something terribly wrong. Reading through everyone's experiences has been both reassuring and informative - it's clear this is a widespread issue with the new system rather than individual application problems. The advice about documenting correction attempts via email is something I hadn't thought of but makes perfect sense. I'm also grateful to learn about the distinction between work-study and regular student income, as my son had both types of earnings last year and I wasn't sure how they'd be treated differently. The tip about contacting schools directly about deadline flexibility is also really valuable - I hadn't considered that they might be accommodating the FAFSA delays. Thank you all for creating such a supportive space for parents dealing with this frustrating but apparently normal situation!

As a newcomer to this community, I'm incredibly grateful to have found this thread! My daughter's FAFSA has been stuck "In Review" for about 2.5 weeks now, and I was starting to panic thinking we'd made some critical error. Reading through everyone's experiences has been so reassuring - it's clear this is a widespread issue with the new system changes rather than problems with individual applications. The practical advice here is invaluable: documenting correction attempts via email, understanding that work-study income is treated more favorably than regular student income, and knowing that schools may be flexible with deadlines due to these processing delays. I particularly appreciate learning about the Claimyr service for getting through to FSA - those hold times have been absolutely brutal! It's also comforting to know that even when applications are "In Review," there are still options for making corrections afterward. Thank you all for creating such a supportive environment for parents navigating what feels like the most complicated FAFSA rollout ever. This community is truly a lifesaver!

Oh and don't forget to check if your school has an installment payment plan! Mine let me spread out the remaining balance (after scholarships and loans) over 4 payments each semester. That might help reduce how much you need to borrow overall.

Just wanted to add one more thing that might help - if your grandmother does end up co-signing a private loan, make sure to compare rates from multiple lenders. I've seen cases where retirees actually get better rates with credit unions than big banks, especially if your grandmother has been a long-time member somewhere. Also, some lenders offer rate discounts for setting up autopay, which could save you money over the life of the loan. But definitely try the Parent PLUS denial route first to get those extra federal loans - that's your best bet for getting the most favorable terms!

Here's one more crucial deadline most parents miss: CSS Profile. Many private colleges require BOTH the FAFSA and the CSS Profile. The CSS Profile typically opens October 1 of senior year, and some schools have deadlines as early as November for early decision applicants. The CSS Profile costs money ($25 for first school, $16 for each additional), but fee waivers are available. GI Bill benefits generally don't affect CSS calculations differently than FAFSA, but it's something to research for each specific school.

As a newcomer here, this thread has been incredibly eye-opening! I'm also a veteran parent with a high schooler and had no idea about the complexity of coordinating GI Bill benefits with FAFSA. The timeline breakdown from @Ava Johnson is super helpful - I'm definitely bookmarking this. One question I have: if my child decides to use GI Bill benefits for community college first and then transfer, does that affect the FAFSA process for the four-year school? And @Fatima Al-Farsi, I'm so sorry about your counselor situation - that's absolutely unacceptable that they're gatekeeping basic college planning help behind a paid class!

Just want to emphasize something that might help other parents - when you get to the contributor section and enter your tax info, don't panic if your Expected Family Contribution (now called SAI) seems high at first. The system processes disability considerations after all information is entered. I made the mistake of thinking we wouldn't qualify for any aid when I saw the initial numbers, but the final calculation was much more favorable once everything was properly processed. Also, keep all your documentation handy - schools sometimes request verification of the SSI benefits even though you've indicated disability status on the FAFSA.

This thread has been so helpful! I'm a parent of a student with cerebral palsy who gets SSI, and I was having the exact same confusion about where to enter our tax info. Reading through everyone's experiences really clarified the process for me. One thing I learned from our school's financial aid office that might help others - if your child has significant medical expenses related to their disability that aren't covered by insurance or Medicaid, make sure to keep track of those. Some schools allow you to submit an appeal for additional consideration of unreimbursed medical expenses, which can further adjust your aid eligibility in a positive way. It's worth asking about during the verification process if applicable to your situation.