Great to hear you got it sorted out! For anyone else dealing with similar FAFSA glitches, it's really helpful to know that FSA confirmed this is a known issue and that missing middle names won't impact aid calculations. The Claimyr service sounds like a game-changer for actually reaching someone at FSA - I'll definitely keep that in mind. Thanks for sharing the resolution!

This is such a helpful thread! I'm dealing with a similar issue where my son's middle initial is showing up as "NMN" (no middle name) even though he does have a middle name. Based on what everyone shared here, it sounds like I should try the mobile app first, then maybe use that Claimyr service to get through to FSA if needed. It's reassuring to know this won't actually impact his aid eligibility. Thanks for documenting your solution - it's going to help so many families!

also make sure you look at the actual award letters when they come in!!! my sons SAI was similar (around 750) but the actual offers from different schools varied by like $15k!! some schools are way more generous than others even with the same fafsa info

That's fantastic news! An SAI of 690 puts your daughter in an excellent position for financial aid. Just to add some perspective - you might also want to check if your state has additional grant programs for students with low SAI numbers. Many states offer their own need-based grants that stack on top of federal aid. Also, don't forget to have your daughter apply for the work-study program at her schools if she's interested - with her SAI, she'll likely qualify and it can help cover personal expenses. The key thing now is just being patient while the schools process everything. You're doing great navigating this process!

I'm a newcomer to this community but wanted to share what I learned after going through a similar nightmare with my blended family FAFSA situation last year. Like many of you, my stepson's aid was calculated using my income even though I had no legal obligation to pay for his education. What ultimately worked for us was being extremely strategic about which schools to target. I spent weeks researching financial aid policies at different universities and found that schools with larger endowments and need-blind admissions tend to have more flexibility with professional judgment appeals. We also discovered that some CSS Profile schools actually consider family circumstances that FAFSA completely ignores. The documentation approach mentioned by others here is crucial - we included our prenuptial agreement, separate bank account statements, and even a notarized letter from my stepson's biological mother confirming she and my husband were responsible for education costs. Three schools actually removed my income from the calculation entirely after our appeal. One unexpected tip: consider applying to schools in states where your student would qualify for in-state tuition through reciprocity agreements or merit programs. Sometimes geographic diversity can work in your favor for both admissions and aid. It's a broken system, but there are definitely ways to work within it if you're persistent and strategic about your approach!

I'm new to this community but unfortunately very familiar with this exact problem! My stepchildren and I went through the same FAFSA nightmare two years ago. What saved us was getting really organized with our appeals process early on. Here's what I wish someone had told me from the start: create a "blended family financial aid toolkit" that you can customize for each school. Include your marriage agreement/prenup, separate bank statements, documentation of the absent parent's non-involvement, and a clear family financial breakdown showing actual responsibilities vs. FAFSA assumptions. The other game-changer was timing - start reaching out to financial aid offices in January, not after you get your aid letters in March. Many schools have informal pre-application consultations where they'll tell you exactly what documentation they need for professional judgment reviews. Also consider this: some schools actually prefer CSS Profile over FAFSA for exactly these complex family situations. The Profile has more nuanced questions about household composition and financial responsibilities. It's more work to fill out, but schools that use it tend to be better equipped to handle blended family appeals. Don't give up - the system is broken, but there are definitely schools out there that will work with you once they understand your actual situation!

why is fafsa still using 2023 taxes anyway??? my income is TOTALLY different now than it was 2 years ago. the whole system is so stupid!!!!

I went through a similar situation last year and here's what helped me navigate it: First, yes - you'll be the contributor parent for both kids since you provide majority financial support, regardless of who claims them on taxes. The new FAFSA rules are clear on this. For the joint 2023 taxes issue, here's what worked for me: 1. Complete the FAFSA initially using your joint return info 2. Immediately contact each school's financial aid office to explain your situation 3. They'll likely ask for your individual W-2s from 2023 to separate your income from your ex's 4. Be prepared to provide your divorce decree once it's finalized Pro tip: Start gathering documentation NOW - your 2023 W-2s, bank statements showing you pay for kids' expenses, any support documentation, etc. Having everything organized made the process so much smoother. Most schools are experienced with divorce situations and were actually very helpful once I explained what was happening. Don't stress too much - this is more common than you think!

I had this exact same problem yesterday! What finally worked for me was switching to Microsoft Edge browser and clearing all my cookies first. The correction button showed up immediately after that. Also make sure your FAFSA status shows "Completed" with an SAI number - if it's still showing "Processing" the correction option won't appear no matter what browser you use. Hope this helps someone avoid the hours of frustration I went through!

I've been having the exact same issue since this morning! Thanks to everyone who shared their solutions - I tried switching to Edge browser and clearing my cache like some of you suggested, and I can finally see the correction option now. For anyone still stuck: make sure your FAFSA shows "Completed" status first (mine took 10 days to process), then try Edge browser with cleared cookies. The "Make FAFSA Correction" button should appear at the bottom when you view your FAFSA. The school selection section is buried a few clicks deep in the correction menu but it's there! Good luck everyone - this system really needs to be more user-friendly.