Any update? Were you able to get past the error using any of these suggestions?

Congratulations on getting it submitted! This is such a helpful thread - I'm bookmarking it in case I run into similar issues. The combination approach seems to be key since there are multiple potential causes for this error. For anyone else reading this, it's also worth noting that the FAFSA site tends to have fewer issues during off-peak hours (early morning or late evening) when there's less traffic on the servers.

One last bit of advice: when you fill out your FAFSA, use the IRS Data Retrieval Tool if prompted, but since you haven't filed US taxes yet, you'll need to select the option that indicates you haven't filed and will manually enter your financial information. Then provide as accurate information as possible about your current assets and income. Also, be sure to check the "eligible noncitizen" box and provide your A-Number correctly. Many first-time applicants make mistakes there that delay processing.

Hey Connor! Welcome to the US! 🇺🇸 I went through something similar when I moved here from Canada a few years ago. Just wanted to add that you should also look into your state's specific financial aid programs - many states have grants and scholarships specifically for community college students that are separate from federal aid. Also, don't forget to apply for institutional aid directly through your community college. They often have emergency grants, textbook vouchers, and other support programs for new students that can really help with the transition. Some even have specific funds for immigrant students. The financial aid office at your school will be your best friend - they're usually super helpful and understand the unique challenges new residents face. Good luck with everything!

Don't panic about the "processed" status - it's actually a good sign that your initial submission went through without any major errors! I went through this same anxiety last year. Here's what I learned: "processed" means the Department of Education has reviewed your basic information and calculated your SAI, but you're not necessarily done yet. Keep checking your studentaid.gov account and email regularly for the next few weeks. If you get selected for verification (about 1 in 3 chance), you'll get an email and see it in your account. The key is to respond quickly if they ask for additional documents. Also, make sure to check with each of your schools about their specific deadlines and whether they need any additional forms like the CSS Profile. Your SAI of 8750 actually puts you in a decent position for aid - you'll likely qualify for subsidized loans and potentially some grant money depending on the schools you're applying to. Just stay on top of checking your accounts and you'll be fine!

Ruby, I totally get your anxiety about this! I just went through the exact same thing last month. When my FAFSA showed "processed" I thought I was done, but then about 2 weeks later I got hit with verification. Honestly, the "processed" status is kind of misleading because it really just means they've done the initial data entry and calculated your SAI - but there are still several things that could happen. Your SAI of 8750 is actually not bad at all! I had a similar number and ended up getting a partial Pell Grant plus subsidized loans. The verification process was annoying but not terrible - just had to submit tax transcripts and fill out a worksheet. My biggest advice is to set up email notifications on studentaid.gov and check your account at least twice a week. Also, definitely look into whether your schools need CSS Profile because that caught me off guard. The whole system is designed to be confusing but you've got this! Keep us updated on how it goes.

It actually made a pretty big difference for us! His income pushed us way above what my mom made alone, and we would've gotten like zero aid. After the adjustment, we qualified for some grants and better loans. But every school handles it differently - my brother applied to 5 schools and 3 of them adjusted but 2 wouldn't budge 🙄 Definitely worth trying though!

Welcome to the community, Marcelle! Your confusion is totally understandable - the new FAFSA contributor system is confusing even for those of us who've been through this before. Just wanted to add that you should also keep copies of all the documentation showing your marriage date and any correspondence with schools about appeals. I learned the hard way that financial aid offices sometimes lose paperwork during busy seasons, so having backup copies saved me a lot of headaches. The remarriage timing issue is frustrating, but it sounds like you're getting great advice here about the appeal process. Hang in there - it does get sorted out eventually!

Quick correction to my earlier comment - I meant to say your SAI is above the Pell Grant cutoff (not below). For 2025-2026, the maximum SAI to qualify for Pell Grants is expected to be around 6656. However, you're still likely to qualify for subsidized loans, work-study, and institutional aid, especially with a sibling also in college. Sorry for any confusion!

I'm in a similar situation - SAI of 21,450 with parents making about $80k. What really helped me was creating a spreadsheet to track all my aid offers as they came in. Don't just look at the total aid amount, but break down grants vs loans vs work-study. Some schools that seemed expensive initially ended up being more affordable after aid. Also, if you haven't already, make sure you've applied to your state's grant programs - many have deadlines separate from FAFSA and can provide additional funding even with higher SAI scores. The CSS Profile schools might also offer more institutional aid if you're applying to any of those.