As a newcomer to this community, I want to thank everyone for this incredibly helpful discussion! My son is also an incoming freshman for Fall 2025, and I was panicking when I saw that exact same "satisfactory but under review" status on his portal yesterday. Like so many others here, I was completely confused about what academic progress they could possibly be reviewing for someone who hasn't even started college yet. Reading through all these responses has been such a relief - especially learning that this is just how the new FAFSA system works and that schools now handle all the communications instead of students getting direct notifications from Federal Student Aid. I had no idea the process had changed so much! The advice about calling to get a timeline, asking about missing documentation, and using the Net Price Calculator while we wait is incredibly practical. It's reassuring to know that "under review" is actually a positive sign that our FAFSA data was successfully received and they're working on the aid package. I'll definitely be calling our school's financial aid office this week to confirm everything is progressing normally. Thank you all for sharing your experiences - this community is such a valuable resource for navigating these changes!

As someone new to this community, I want to echo what everyone else has been saying - this discussion has been incredibly valuable! My daughter is also an incoming freshman for Fall 2025, and I had the exact same panic when I saw that "satisfactory but under review" status on her portal last week. Like many of you, I was completely baffled about what academic progress they could possibly be reviewing for a high school senior who hasn't even stepped foot on campus yet. What's been most eye-opening is learning how much the FAFSA simplification has changed the entire process. I was expecting to receive direct communications like we did years ago, so when everything seemed to be happening through the school's portal instead, I thought something had gone wrong. Now I understand this is just the new normal. The practical advice shared here has been fantastic - especially the specific questions to ask when calling (timeline, missing documentation, notification preferences) and the suggestion to use the Net Price Calculator for a preliminary estimate. I'm planning to call our financial aid office tomorrow morning, and I feel so much better prepared now. Thank you all for turning what felt like a scary situation into a manageable part of the process!

ok so weird suggestion but maybe try changing ur password then logging back in? this worked for me when i had issues with my verification docs not uploading properly. sometimes the system just needs a refresh or something idk

Glad to hear you got it resolved! For anyone else still struggling with this issue, I'd also recommend documenting everything when you call FSA - write down the date, time, representative name if they give it, and what they told you. I had to escalate my case through their complaint process because I kept getting different answers from different agents. Also, if you're applying to competitive programs or schools with early deadlines, most financial aid offices have been really understanding about FAFSA delays this year. Don't be afraid to reach out to them directly - they often have workarounds or can note your file that you're having technical difficulties.

UPDATE: I checked the dashboard like someone suggested, and it does show "Processed" with the SAI number matching the email. I think we really are done! Thanks everyone for helping calm my paranoia. I'll still check with her schools next week just to be 100% sure they received everything.

Congrats on getting through the FAFSA gauntlet! I totally understand the anxiety - after all the horror stories from previous years, it's hard to trust that anything with FAFSA actually works smoothly. The green check + SAI number combo is indeed the finish line for the federal side. Just went through this with my daughter last month and had the same "is this really it??" moment. One thing I'd add to the great advice already given: keep screenshots of everything! Your confirmation email, the dashboard showing "Processed" status, the SAI number - everything. If any issues pop up later (hopefully they won't!), having that paper trail will save you hours of explaining to various offices what happened and when. The waiting for financial aid packages is its own special kind of torture, but at least the FAFSA nightmare is behind you! 🎉

I'm new to this whole financial aid process and honestly feeling pretty overwhelmed by all the loan options! Reading through everyone's experiences here has been incredibly helpful though. It's crazy how much the marketing around private loans focuses on that initial lower interest rate without mentioning all the downsides like variable rates that can skyrocket and zero flexibility if you hit financial hardship. I had no idea about things like income-driven repayment plans, Public Service Loan Forgiveness, or how federal loans automatically paused during the pandemic while private lenders kept demanding payments. Isabella, you definitely made the right call going with federal loans first - and it sounds like you have work-study too which is awesome since that won't hurt your FAFSA next year. Thanks to everyone sharing their real experiences, especially the cautionary tales about Sallie Mae rate increases. This thread should be required reading for anyone considering student loans!

This is such a valuable thread for anyone navigating student loans! As someone who works in college financial planning, I see students make this exact mistake all the time - getting lured in by private lenders' initial low rates without understanding the long-term risks. What really stands out to me is how many people here have shared real experiences of variable rates doubling or tripling after graduation. That 4.3% Sallie Mae rate Isabella was offered could easily become 8-10% in a few years, making that federal 5.5% fixed rate look like a bargain. The pandemic really exposed the difference too - federal borrowers got automatic relief while private borrowers were left hanging. Isabella made the absolutely right choice prioritizing federal loans and work-study. For anyone else reading this: exhaust ALL federal options (grants, work-study, subsidized loans, then unsubsidized) before even considering private loans. And if you do need private loans, shop around and read the fine print carefully - not all private lenders are created equal, though none offer the protections of federal loans.

DONT FORGET about work study!!! My daughter does work study at the dental clinic at her school and it DOESNT count against FAFSA eligibility the same way regular income does!! Plus it looks good on resume!!!

As someone new to navigating FAFSA for healthcare programs, this thread has been incredibly eye-opening! I had no idea about the special considerations for former foster youth or that work-study income is treated differently. For anyone else in similar situations, it might be worth creating a spreadsheet to track all these different factors - the prior-prior year income timeline, LEU percentage for Pell limits, potential Professional Judgment scenarios, and application deadlines for those healthcare-specific scholarships mentioned. The dental hygiene field seems to have great support systems in place! One question I'm curious about - do other healthcare programs (like nursing or respiratory therapy) have similar industry scholarship opportunities, or is dental hygiene particularly well-supported in this regard?