One more thing to consider: rather than focusing only on co-signer release, you might want to look at the full range of benefits. Some lenders offer: - Longer grace periods after graduation (up to 9 months instead of standard 6) - Hardship forbearance options if he struggles to find work - Death/disability discharge protections (not all private loans have this) - No prepayment penalties For my daughter, we found Sallie Mae's Smart Option loan had the best combination of features, even though their co-signer release requires 12 months of principal and interest payments after graduation.

I'm in a very similar situation with my daughter starting college this fall! After reading through everyone's experiences, I'm realizing I need to be much more strategic about this. One question I haven't seen addressed - has anyone compared the total cost differences between starting with private loans (with co-signer release goals) versus doing Parent PLUS initially and then refinancing later? I'm wondering if the higher Parent PLUS rates and origination fees might actually cost more in the long run, even if you're stuck as co-signer for a few extra years with private loans. Also, for those who've been through the co-signer release process - did any lenders require additional documentation beyond just proving income and credit score? Like employment verification letters or tax returns? Thanks for all the detailed advice in this thread - it's been incredibly helpful!

That's really good to know, thank you! I'll definitely call her school tomorrow to ask about an extension. It's so stressful having the payment deadline approaching without knowing the final aid amount.

I went through this exact same situation last month! The FAFSA system has been sending out these confusing "missing signature" emails even after everything is properly processed. If your dashboard shows "Processed" for the Parent Contributor section AND you can see an SAI number, you're all set - no need to panic or try to sign again. I made the mistake of trying to "re-sign" multiple times before realizing the system was just glitching. For the tuition deadline issue, definitely call your daughter's financial aid office ASAP. Most schools are being very understanding about the FAFSA delays this year and will work with you on payment extensions. Don't stress too much - it sounds like your FAFSA is actually complete despite the scary notification!

wait what is SAI? is that like the EFC? my daughter got her EFC score last yr but now im seeing SAI everywhere

This is such a relief to see resolved! I'm new to the FAFSA process (first kid heading to college) and this thread has been incredibly helpful. The fact that so many people had the same issue makes me feel better about potentially making mistakes myself. I'm bookmarking this thread for when I start our application next month. Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences and solutions - it really helps us newbies navigate this confusing system!

UPDATE: Finally resolved this! My daughter had indeed accidentally checked a box indicating she was independent (the one about having children she supports - she definitely doesn't!). We had to call FSA to have them unlock that section. Used the Claimyr service someone mentioned above and got through within 20 minutes. The agent was able to reset her application status to allow for editing the dependency questions and adding me as a contributor. My section is now completed and the application is truly submitted. Thanks everyone for your help!

That's fantastic news! So glad you got it resolved quickly. This is such a helpful example for others who might run into the same issue. It's crazy how easy it is to accidentally check the wrong dependency box on the new FAFSA - they really need to make those questions clearer. The Claimyr service sounds like a game-changer for actually getting through to FSA without losing your mind on hold. Thanks for updating us with the solution!

Thank you all SO much for these helpful responses! I feel much clearer now on who needs to file (just me as the custodial parent) and what needs to be reported. I'll definitely look into whether any of her potential schools require that CSS Profile too.\n\nOne last question - when is the earliest I can submit the FAFSA for the 2025-2026 school year? I've heard there can be advantages to submitting early.

The 2025-2026 FAFSA opens on October 1, 2024! You can submit it as early as that date using your 2023 tax information (since FAFSA uses "prior-prior year" tax data). There are definitely advantages to submitting early: 1. Some aid is awarded on a first-come, first-served basis 2. State aid deadlines can be as early as February or March 3. It gives you more time to resolve any issues that come up Pro tip: Even if you haven't finished all your college applications yet, you can still submit the FAFSA early. Just make sure to add any additional schools to your FAFSA later if needed (you can list up to 10 schools). You've got this! The fact that you're planning ahead and asking the right questions puts you way ahead of the game. 😊