Just wanted to add - if you're using the IRS Data Retrieval Tool (DRT) to import tax information, make sure your parents' tax return has been processed by the IRS first. The tool won't work if their return is still being processed, and manually entering tax info can lead to verification issues later. Also, if your parents are divorced or separated, double-check which parent's information you need to use based on the FAFSA rules - it's not always the parent you live with most of the time, but rather the one who provided more financial support. Good luck with your submission tomorrow!

Hey! As someone who just went through this process, I can confirm that May 1 deadline means you have until 11:59 PM ON May 1st to submit - not April 30th. I was in a similar panic last year when I needed to wait for my mom's W-2 correction. Just make sure you have all your documents ready before you start so you can complete it in one sitting. The FAFSA saves your progress, but it's better to finish it completely once you begin. Also, if you're worried about server issues (which do happen on deadline days), try submitting earlier in the day rather than waiting until evening. You've got this!

Just wanted to add something that might help with your planning - make sure to look into whether your state university participates in any tuition assistance programs for in-state students. Some schools have automatic tuition reductions or caps for students with certain SAI ranges that aren't technically "grants" but still reduce your overall costs. Also, if you end up needing to take out some loans, prioritize federal subsidized loans first (if you qualify), then federal unsubsidized, and avoid private loans if at all possible. The federal loans have much better terms and repayment options. With your SAI of 3,400 and the aid you're likely to receive, you should be able to keep your total borrowing pretty reasonable. You've got a solid approach to this whole process!

Hey! I'm actually a financial aid counselor at a state university and wanted to add a few things that might help. With your SAI of 3,400, you're definitely looking at around $4,500-$5,200 in Pell Grant funding for 2025-26, assuming full-time enrollment. A couple of additional tips: 1. Apply for FAFSA as early as possible each year - some state and institutional funds are awarded on a first-come, first-served basis 2. Consider starting at a community college for gen eds if cost is a major concern - you can often complete 1-2 years much cheaper then transfer 3. Look into emergency grants if you hit financial bumps during the semester - most schools have small emergency funds for students facing unexpected expenses Also, don't forget that work-study earnings don't count against your financial aid eligibility for the following year, unlike regular employment income. So if you qualify for work-study, definitely take advantage of it! You sound like you're taking a really smart, comprehensive approach to this. The fact that you're planning ahead and exploring all options puts you way ahead of many students. Best of luck!

I'm in a similar boat as a single parent trying to figure out FAFSA for my kid! One thing I wanted to mention that I don't think anyone brought up yet is the simplified needs test. With your income around $63k and being divorced/single parent, you might qualify for this which could actually exclude your assets from the SAI calculation entirely if you filed certain tax forms or received means-tested benefits. Also, definitely look into whether your daughter qualifies as an independent student for any reason - sometimes there are circumstances that aren't immediately obvious. And if she's planning to take summer classes, make sure you understand how that affects her aid eligibility since community colleges often have different summer aid policies. One last tip from my research - some community colleges have "completion grants" for students who are close to finishing their degree but running short on funds. Even though your daughter is just starting, it's good to know these exist for later if needed!

Hi! I'm new to this community but wanted to chime in since I just went through something very similar with my younger brother. One thing that really helped us was connecting with the college's financial aid office BEFORE submitting the FAFSA to ask about their specific policies for divorced parents. Some schools have additional documentation they prefer to have on file, and getting ahead of that saved us from delays later. Also, I'd recommend checking if your state has any special programs for community college students - ours had a "last dollar" scholarship that covered whatever wasn't paid by federal grants, which was a game-changer. And don't forget to have your daughter apply for work-study positions early since those fill up fast at community colleges! Your situation with being the custodial parent and your ex being on disability should definitely work in your favor for the SAI calculation. Best of luck with the process!

I just want to echo what everyone else has said - AGI is definitely what they use for FAFSA calculations. I went through this exact confusion when my son applied two years ago. I kept focusing on our taxable income because it had dropped significantly due to some legitimate business deductions, but the financial aid offices only cared about our AGI which had actually increased. One thing that helped me understand it better was thinking about it this way: the FAFSA is designed to measure your family's actual ability to pay for college based on your total income before you make choices about deductions and tax strategies. Your AGI represents that "real" income level better than your final taxable income after all the write-offs. Since your AGI went up from 2022 to 2023, even with the business write-off helping to keep it lower than it could have been, you probably won't benefit from an appeal. Save your energy for making sure all the other parts of your FAFSA are filled out accurately!

I'm new to this whole FAFSA process and reading through everyone's responses has been incredibly educational! My family is in a similar boat - my husband's business had some significant equipment purchases last year that created deductions, but our overall income still went up. Based on what everyone is saying about AGI being the key factor, it sounds like we shouldn't expect those business deductions to help us much with financial aid since they're already factored into our AGI calculation. One quick question for those who've been through this - when you filled out the FAFSA, did you find any sections particularly confusing or easy to mess up? I want to make sure I don't make any errors that could delay our aid processing. Thanks to everyone for sharing their experiences - this community is such a valuable resource!

Welcome to the community! I'm also new here and dealing with the same Parent PLUS loan confusion for my daughter who will be a returning sophomore. This thread has been incredibly helpful - I was completely panicked about missing deadlines and was about to apply for the Parent PLUS loan without having the aid package first! Reading through everyone's experiences, especially hearing from the financial aid professionals, has really put my mind at ease. The consistent advice to wait for the official aid package makes so much sense, and it's reassuring to know that schools are adjusting their timelines to accommodate the FAFSA delays. I'm planning to call our financial aid office this week based on all the recommendations here. One question I have - for those who've already called their schools, did you find it helpful to ask about estimated tuition increases for next year? I'm trying to get a rough idea of what we might be looking at compared to last year so I can start mentally preparing, even though I know the exact amount will depend on the official aid package. Thank you to everyone who's shared their knowledge and experiences. It's such a relief to know we're not navigating this stressful situation alone!

Welcome to the community! I'm also brand new here and dealing with the exact same situation with my son who's going to be a returning sophomore. Like many others, I was completely overwhelmed by the FAFSA delays and was actually considering applying for the Parent PLUS loan early just to stay ahead of things - thank goodness I found this thread first! The consistent advice from everyone, especially the financial aid professionals, to wait for the official aid package before applying makes perfect sense. It's such a relief to see that schools are being proactive about adjusting their timelines and prioritizing returning students for aid packages. I wanted to add one thing I learned when I called our financial aid office yesterday - they mentioned that they're also sending out email updates to families about their adjusted deadlines and processing timelines. The advisor suggested making sure our contact information is current in their system so we don't miss any important communications about when aid packages will be released. This community has been absolutely invaluable for understanding what felt like an impossible situation just yesterday. Thank you to everyone who's shared their experiences and expertise - it's amazing how much less stressful this all feels when you realize you're not navigating it alone!