UPDATE: I GOT IN!! It was the VPN causing the problem! As soon as I turned that off, I could log in normally. For anyone else having this issue, check if you're using a VPN service - apparently FAFSA doesn't like them anymore. Thank you all so much for the help. Now I just need to figure out how to correctly report my parents' retirement accounts on this new form... but that's a question for another day!

This is such a relief to see that the VPN was the culprit! I've been struggling with the same exact issue for days and was getting so stressed about my deadline. I use NordVPN pretty much constantly and never would have thought that was blocking my FAFSA access. Just turned it off and was able to log right in - you're a lifesaver! It's crazy that they don't give you a more specific error message about VPN blocking instead of just "unknown error." Thanks for updating with the solution!

As someone who just went through this process with my own family, I wanted to add that the timing of when you file your FAFSA can also matter for asset reporting. Since FAFSA uses a snapshot of your assets on the day you file, it's worth considering normal fluctuations in your accounts. For example, if your parents typically have higher balances right after tax refunds or lower balances after paying property taxes, you might want to time your filing accordingly. With your parents' $42K income and two kids in college, you're in a good position for aid regardless of the savings, but every little bit helps! Also, make sure to complete the FAFSA as early as possible since some state and school aid is awarded on a first-come, first-served basis.

This thread has been incredibly helpful! I'm actually in a very similar situation - my parents have around $75K in savings but lower income, and I was panicking about how it would affect my aid. The breakdown everyone provided about the 5.64% assessment rate and Asset Protection Allowance really puts things in perspective. One thing I'm curious about though - does anyone know if the Asset Protection Allowance amount changes each year, or is it pretty stable? My mom is 52 and my dad is 54, so I'm wondering what ballpark range we might be looking at for the allowance. Also, has anyone here actually seen their aid offers yet for 2025-26 to see how the new FAFSA calculations played out in real awards?

Hey Malik! I'm actually in a very similar situation - I completed a dental hygiene certificate program a few years ago and I'm now applying for a BSN program. From what I've learned through my research and talking to financial aid counselors, you should definitely still be eligible for Pell Grants! The key things that matter are: 1. You haven't exceeded the 600% lifetime eligibility limit (your 2-year vocational program likely only used about 200% of that) 2. You meet the financial need requirements based on your SAI 3. You haven't already earned a bachelor's degree I'd strongly recommend scheduling an appointment with the financial aid office at your prospective nursing school. They can do a preliminary review of your situation and even help estimate how much Pell funding you might receive. When I did this, they were able to pull up my previous Pell usage and confirm exactly how much eligibility I had remaining. Also, don't forget to submit your FAFSA as early as possible - some nursing programs have limited spots and financial aid is often awarded on a first-come, first-served basis after you meet the eligibility requirements. You've got this! The healthcare field really needs more dedicated people like you who are willing to go back to school to advance their careers.

Hey Malik! I'm a recent nursing graduate and went through the exact same process you're describing. I had completed a pharmacy tech certification program before starting my ADN, and I was definitely still eligible for Pell Grants. One thing I wish someone had told me earlier is to also look into state-specific nursing grants and scholarships. Many states have programs designed to address nursing shortages and will provide additional funding beyond federal aid. For example, some states offer loan forgiveness programs if you commit to working in underserved areas for a certain period after graduation. Also, when you're filling out your FAFSA, make sure you select "working on my first bachelor's degree" since your vocational certificate doesn't count as a degree. This ensures you're evaluated correctly for maximum aid eligibility. The nursing shortage is real, and schools and states are really incentivized to help people like you make this career transition. Don't let financial concerns hold you back - there are more funding options available than most people realize!

my roommate had this EXACT problem and it turned out his bank was blocking the verification attempts from the school!! call your bank and ask if they're blocking any verification attempts from your school. some banks have super strict fraud prevention especially for student accounts

Just wanted to add that if you're still having trouble after trying all these suggestions, check if your school requires you to accept your aid package first before setting up direct deposit. At my university, I had to log into the financial aid portal and formally "accept" each component of my aid (Pell Grant, loans, etc.) before the direct deposit option would even appear. Also, some schools have a waiting period after accepting aid before you can set up banking info - mine was 24-48 hours. Don't panic if it doesn't work immediately after accepting!

Just as a follow-up - be sure to have your daughter log back in exactly after the 3-day review period to check her SAI calculation and make sure everything looks correct. Sometimes there can be issues with the parent contribution information that aren't apparent until the full calculation is complete.

I went through this exact same situation last month! The automated emails really need better wording - they make it sound urgent for both parents when usually only one needs to act. Just wanted to add that you can also check your daughter's FAFSA dashboard to see if there are any actual "to-do" items listed. If everything shows as complete there, you're definitely good to go. The 3-day waiting period is standard and nothing to worry about!