btw did anyone mention that some scholarships look at CSS Profile not just FAFSA? css counts assets WAY differently and is way more strict about savings

I'm in a very similar situation with my daughter's scholarship applications this year! We have about $45,000 in savings that we've built up specifically for unexpected medical expenses (my husband has a chronic condition) and home maintenance, but I'm terrified that scholarship committees will see that number and think we don't need help. Our SAI is actually higher than yours at $58,000 with her college costing $62,000, so we only show a $4,000 gap. Reading through these responses has been really helpful - I think I'm going to take the advice about being transparent and specific about why we maintain those savings. It's so stressful trying to navigate these different definitions of "financial need" when you're just trying to be responsible with money while still needing help with college costs!

Thank you all for the helpful information! I feel much more informed now. I'll be watching for the award letters and will make sure to check each school's deadline for accepting aid. I'm also going to try calling the financial aid office again tomorrow to ask about state-specific grants we might qualify for. If I can't get through, I might try that Claimyr service someone mentioned. Really appreciate all the guidance!

Welcome to the FAFSA journey! As someone who went through this process with three kids, I can tell you that an SAI of 2372 is actually fantastic news. You're in a really good position for aid. A few practical tips from my experience: 1. Start a spreadsheet to track each school's aid package when they arrive - it makes comparing much easier 2. Don't be afraid to call financial aid offices and ask questions. They're usually very helpful once you get through 3. If your son gets accepted to multiple schools, you can sometimes use one school's better aid package to negotiate with another (called "professional judgment review") 4. Keep copies of everything - you'll need tax documents and other paperwork handy Your state school at $28k with that SAI should result in a very manageable family contribution. Hang in there - the hardest part (understanding what the numbers mean) is behind you now!

Update on the contributor declining issue: If your selected parent declines to provide information or simply doesn't complete their section within 35 days, you can request a contributor change through your FAFSA portal or by contacting Federal Student Aid directly. However, this will delay your application processing. Alternatively, if you have a documented case of parent estrangement or inability to obtain parent information, your school's financial aid office can potentially process a dependency override. These are rare but exist for situations where parental involvement is impossible. Your school might also be able to offer institutional aid even without a completed FAFSA in extreme cases, so always communicate with your financial aid office about your specific situation.

I went through this nightmare last year and completely understand your frustration! The whole "more financial support" calculation is honestly one of the worst parts of the new FAFSA system. Here's what ended up working for me: I created a simple two-column list and assigned dollar values to EVERYTHING over the past 12 months: - Phone bill/utilities they pay for you - Housing value (I used Zillow rental estimates for a room in the area) - Food/groceries (even estimate meals when visiting) - Any cash transfers or Venmo payments - Insurance premiums if you're on their plan - School expenses like books, supplies, etc. The housing calculation was the biggest factor for me - staying rent-free even just during breaks can add up to thousands in value. Don't stress too much about being perfectly accurate; the financial aid offices understand these situations are messy and they're mainly looking for a good faith effort. One tip: reach out to your school's financial aid office BEFORE you submit if you're still unsure. They can walk you through the calculation and some even have worksheets to help. Way better than guessing and potentially having to change contributors later!

Great job summarizing everything! One small additional tip - when you're completing the FAFSA in October, make sure to apply for your FSA ID (studentaid.gov) a few days before you plan to submit if you don't already have one. Both you and your daughter will need separate FSA IDs to electronically sign the application. The verification process can take a few days, and you don't want that to delay your submission. Also, keep your 2023 tax return handy since you'll need specific line items from it. The whole process should be much smoother than last year's rollout disaster!

Just wanted to add one more resource that might be helpful - the Federal Student Aid website has a really useful tool called the "FAFSA Parent Information" guide that specifically addresses divorced parent situations. It walks through scenarios exactly like yours with flowcharts to help determine which parent should complete the FAFSA. Since you mentioned being stressed about getting this right, having that official documentation might give you extra peace of mind! You can find it at studentaid.gov under the "Complete the FAFSA" section. Also, many high school guidance counselors are trained on these situations and can review your specific circumstances if you want a second opinion before submitting.

As a newcomer to this community, I'm amazed by the depth of knowledge and support shared in this thread! I'm also a disabled veteran receiving VA compensation, and my twins will be applying for college aid next year. Like many others here, I was completely overwhelmed by how to handle the FAFSA process without traditional tax documentation. This discussion has been a revelation - learning about selecting "Will Not File," properly categorizing VA benefits as untaxed income, and understanding the SAI calculation differences has made everything click into place. The practical tips about early documentation gathering, the IRS non-filing verification process, and backup resources like Claimyr are incredibly valuable. I'm especially grateful to learn about professional judgment reviews and school-specific veteran programs that could make a real difference for our family. What started as anxiety about navigating an impossible system has transformed into confidence with a clear roadmap, thanks to everyone's generous sharing of real-world experiences. This community is exactly what military families need when dealing with financial aid complexities that standard guidance simply doesn't address adequately!

As a newcomer to this community, I'm so grateful to have discovered this incredibly detailed discussion! I'm a disabled veteran receiving VA disability compensation, and my daughter will be starting her college applications soon. Like so many others here, I was completely lost about how to navigate the FAFSA without traditional tax returns. This thread has been absolutely transformative - learning about the "Will Not File" option, understanding that VA benefits should be categorized as untaxed income, and discovering the nuances of SAI calculations has changed everything for me. The practical advice about gathering VA award letters early, proactively requesting IRS non-filing verification, and having backup resources like Claimyr ready has given me a concrete action plan. I'm also relieved to know about professional judgment reviews as an option if our circumstances don't fit the standard formulas. What strikes me most is how this community understands that military families face unique challenges that aren't addressed in typical financial aid guidance. Thank you all for sharing your real-world experiences and creating such a supportive environment - you've transformed what felt like an impossible obstacle into a manageable process with clear steps forward!