Thanks everyone for the helpful answers! I'm feeling a lot better knowing that my negative SAI is actually good news. I'll definitely keep an eye out for verification requests and compare financial aid packages from different schools. Really appreciate all the advice!

Just wanted to add that you should also look into state-specific aid programs! With your -1500 SAI, you'll likely qualify for additional state grants depending on where you live. Many states have their own need-based programs that stack on top of federal aid. Also, don't forget to check if your schools offer institutional grants - some private colleges are really generous with aid for students with high financial need like yours. Make sure to submit your FAFSA to all the schools you're considering so they can build your complete aid packages!

When my dad got denied for the Parent PLUS my school automatically added like $4k in extra unsubsidized loans to my aid package. I didn't have to do anything special. BUT my mom was deceased so maybe that's why they didn't try to make her apply lol. No but seriously every school handles it differently and $4k is probably not enough to cover your shortfall. Have you thought about maybe taking a semester off and working to save up some $? Lots of people do that.

Hey Adriana! I went through this exact same situation two years ago when my mom got denied for Parent PLUS. The good news is they definitely won't force your dad to apply - especially since your parents are divorced and he's not involved financially. Here's what worked for me: Call your financial aid office ASAP and ask specifically about the "additional unsubsidized loan for dependent students whose parents were denied PLUS." Don't just wait for them to automatically process it. At my school, I had to submit a one-page form, but some schools do it automatically once they get the denial documentation from your mom. For the remaining gap after the extra $4k, definitely ask about emergency grants or institutional aid. My school had a "student emergency fund" that I didn't even know existed until I asked. Also, if you have good grades, ask if there are any late-deadline scholarships you can still apply for. Don't give up on State University yet - there are usually more options than they initially tell you about!

Make sure your husband creates his FSA ID ASAP and completes his section. Our son's SAI calculation was delayed by almost 3 weeks because my husband didn't complete his portion, and we almost missed priority deadlines for several schools. Once both parent sections are complete, the SAI calculation should happen within 3-5 days (though some are reporting longer times this year).

Just wanted to jump in as someone who went through this exact same confusion last month! Yes, both spouses absolutely need separate FSA IDs and must complete their individual sections even when filing jointly - it's one of the most frustrating changes to the new FAFSA system. What helped us was setting aside about 30 minutes one evening to get my husband's FSA ID created and his section completed. The good news is that once the first parent enters the tax info through IRS DRT, the second parent doesn't have to re-enter all those numbers - they just need to give consent and answer some personal verification questions. Don't wait though - our daughter's aid package was delayed by 2 weeks because we didn't realize this requirement! The sooner your husband completes his part, the sooner you'll get that SAI calculation and can move forward with financial aid applications.

I'm also navigating this exact situation with my twin daughters who will be starting college next fall. Our household income is around $158k and I was initially hesitant about completing the FAFSA for similar reasons. After reading through all these responses, I'm convinced we need to push through and complete it. The stories about families receiving $12k-23k in institutional aid at our income level are eye-opening! I had no idea private schools might be so generous to middle-income families. We're looking at both state schools and some private colleges, so it sounds like the FAFSA could open doors we didn't even know existed. For those dealing with FSA ID password issues - we actually just went through this process last month. Creating a new FSA ID was definitely the faster route, though it was frustrating to lose the saved school list. The whole process took about 30 minutes once we decided to start fresh, versus the weeks we spent trying to recover the old account. One question for those who received institutional aid - did you need to submit any additional documentation beyond the FAFSA, or did the schools automatically consider you based on the FAFSA submission alone?

As someone who works in college financial aid, I want to emphasize that the FAFSA is absolutely worth completing at your income level! I see families making $150k+ receive aid all the time, especially from private institutions. Here are a few key points: **Password Recovery Alternative**: Instead of struggling with the broken FSA phone system, try contacting your son's high school guidance counselor. Many have direct contacts at Federal Student Aid and can expedite account recovery issues. **Income Threshold Misconceptions**: The "you won't get anything over $150k" advice is outdated. With the new Student Aid Index calculations, many middle-income families are seeing better outcomes than expected. Plus, unsubsidized federal loans alone can save you thousands compared to private loan interest rates. **Timing Consideration**: Even if you create a new FSA ID now, you're not too late. Most schools have March/April FAFSA deadlines, and some rolling deadlines extend even later. **Merit Aid Connection**: Many merit scholarships require FAFSA completion regardless of need. I've seen students lose out on $10k+ merit awards simply because families assumed they "made too much" for the FAFSA to matter. The password hassle is frustrating, but don't let it cost you potentially tens of thousands in aid opportunities!

Great to hear your SAI came through! Four business days is pretty typical from what I've seen. For others still waiting, I'd recommend checking your account every morning rather than multiple times per day - the processing seems to happen overnight and you'll just stress yourself out refreshing constantly. Also make sure to screenshot your SAI once it appears, since you'll need that number for multiple applications and it's easier than logging in every time.

Just wanted to add that if you're really stressed about those scholarship deadlines, you might want to reach out to the scholarship organizations directly and ask if they'll accept your FAFSA submission confirmation page as temporary proof while you wait for your SAI to process. Most places are understanding about the processing delays, especially this year with all the system changes. I had to do this for two scholarship applications last month and both organizations were totally fine with it - they just asked me to send the actual SAI number once it was available. Better to be proactive than miss a deadline!