omg my daughters friend had this same issue and it turned out her fafsa had a mistake where her dad put his retirement account as a regular savings account which made them look like they had way more money than they actually did... might be worth double checking all your numbers?

That's such great news that the school is still processing grants! This is actually pretty common - many schools do process federal loans first since they're easier to calculate, then work through the Pell Grant determinations afterward. The timing can vary a lot between institutions. And definitely pursue that special circumstances appeal for your husband's job loss - those appeals can make a real difference in your daughter's aid eligibility. Keep us posted on how it turns out!

ALSO!!!! Make sure your parents are ready to do their part if they need to be contributors!!! My dad took FOREVER to create his account and verify his info and we almost missed a school's priority deadline because of it!!! Don't wait!!!

Just wanted to add my experience as someone who filed early last year - it was absolutely the right choice! I filed my FAFSA in October and received a much better aid package than friends who waited until spring. One thing that really helped me was gathering all my documents beforehand (2023 tax returns, W-2s, bank statements even though they don't matter for FAFSA calculations, etc.) so I could complete it in one sitting. The new system can be glitchy, so having everything ready prevents you from having to start over if you get kicked out mid-application. Also, don't forget to check each of your schools' priority deadlines - some are as early as February 1st!

my nephew did the beta and got rejected for pell grant but my sister said he should of qualified, they had to redo the whole thing and now hes getting the full pell grant. might be worth checking if your SAI looks right

Just to clarify for anyone reading this thread: if you completed the FAFSA during the beta/soft launch period (October-December) and received your SAI calculation, your application IS valid and you do NOT need to resubmit. However, you should: 1. Verify your application status shows "Processed" 2. Check that all selected schools are correctly listed 3. Contact schools to confirm they received your data 4. Make corrections if needed (without starting a new application) If schools say they don't have your data, contact Federal Student Aid directly for assistance.

Update: I finally got through to someone at Federal Student Aid who explained everything. Yes, pensions DO count as income on FAFSA. Since we're using 2023 tax info for the 2025-2026 FAFSA and my husband started receiving his pension in 2024, it won't show up on the initial FAFSA. BUT, she said we should absolutely submit a special circumstances form to each school explaining the new income source. Apparently, this is a really common issue with pensions, retirement distributions, and other income changes. Thanks everyone for your help! Now I'm just worried about how much this will affect his aid packages.

Great update! I'm glad you finally got a clear answer from Federal Student Aid. Just wanted to add that when you're submitting those special circumstances forms, make sure to include documentation of the pension payments (like the 1099-R forms you'll receive) and be very specific about the monthly amount. Also, don't panic too much about the aid impact - many schools are pretty understanding about pension situations, especially for union pensions like UAW. The financial aid officers deal with this scenario frequently and often have ways to account for it that are more favorable than just adding it as straight income. Good luck with your son's college applications!

As someone new to this process, I'm finding all this information incredibly helpful! My son was adopted from Guatemala when he was 3, and he's starting college applications next year. Reading through everyone's experiences, it sounds like I should start gathering documents now rather than waiting. A few questions: Does the FAFSA system automatically trigger verification for international adoptees, or is it random? Also, has anyone had issues with documents that were issued in one state but the student is attending college in another state? We moved from California to Texas a few years ago and I'm wondering if that adds any complications to the verification process.

As someone who's helped several families navigate FAFSA verification for internationally adopted students, I want to emphasize a few key points that haven't been mentioned yet: 1. **Keep originals safe**: Never send original documents - always send certified copies. The school's financial aid office can certify copies for you if needed. 2. **Timeline matters**: Start the verification process immediately if selected. Some schools have strict deadlines, and missing them can affect your aid package even if you eventually provide all required documents. 3. **State-specific considerations**: Some states have additional grant programs that may have different documentation requirements for international adoptees. Check with your daughter's school about state aid eligibility. 4. **Appeal process**: If verification takes longer than expected and affects your aid disbursement, most schools have an appeal process for extenuating circumstances. Document everything and keep communication records. The Certificate of Citizenship really is the golden document here - it proves both citizenship and immigration history in one. Since your daughter has been a citizen for 15+ years, you're in great shape eligibility-wise. Good luck with the process!