They said they're trying to get all aid packages out by April 10th, which is cutting it close for the May 1 decision deadline. But they also mentioned they're being flexible with deposits this year because of all the FAFSA delays. Might be worth asking your schools about deadline extensions!

As someone who just went through this exact same confusion last month, I can confirm what others are saying - those tax request emails are incredibly misleading! My daughter's FAFSA showed processed on March 5th, but we didn't get the tax confirmation email until March 22nd. I panicked thinking something was wrong, but it turns out it's just their system sending delayed notifications. The key thing to remember is that if your status shows "processed" on studentaid.gov, your information has already been sent to the colleges. I'd recommend calling your daughter's top choice schools directly to confirm they received her FAFSA - that's the only way to get real peace of mind with how unreliable the FSA communication has been this year!

Verification is absolutely not an accusation of fraud - it's partially random and partially based on certain flags in applications. Manual entry of tax info is indeed one of those flags that can trigger verification. About 20-25% of all FAFSA filers get selected for verification, so it's quite common. Just keep good records and respond promptly if selected.

Good luck with your submission! Just wanted to add one more tip - when you're manually entering your tax info, double and triple check those numbers. Even small typos can cause delays or trigger verification. Also, if your daughter's school has a financial aid office, consider giving them a heads up about your situation. Some schools are really understanding about timing issues and can work with you if there are any hiccups. The main thing is you're getting it done before the priority deadline!

To directly answer your original question: For the 2025-2026 FAFSA, if you have 100% physical custody (even if legal documents say otherwise), you should generally be allowed to complete the FAFSA with just your information. The fact that he provides some financial support through insurance doesn't change this if he's otherwise absent from her life. Document everything, be proactive with the financial aid offices, and don't miss those priority deadlines!

I went through this exact situation with my son two years ago! Here's what worked for us: I called each college's financial aid office directly and explained the situation upfront. Most were very understanding and walked me through their specific process. The key thing I learned is that different schools handle this differently - some required more documentation than others. Also, don't worry too much about the insurance payments he makes - as long as you estimate them honestly and explain you don't have exact amounts, that should be fine. The important thing is showing you've made good faith efforts to get his information and that you're the de facto sole parent. Start reaching out to those financial aid offices now - they'd rather help you navigate this than have you miss deadlines!

To answer your follow-up question: You should mention your future college students in any financial aid appeal you make now, but the official Professional Judgment review will have the most impact once they're actually enrolled. Still, schools may consider this information even now, especially if you can document that the other children will definitely be attending college soon (like if they're high school juniors/seniors). One more tip: If your daughter has strong academic credentials, look into schools that offer generous merit aid. Some less-competitive private schools often provide substantial discounts to attract strong students, regardless of financial need.

I'm in a very similar situation - SAI of 18,500 with twins starting college next year. What I've learned from going through this process is that the SAI is really just the starting point for financial aid conversations, not the final word. A few things that helped us: - Many schools will still offer work-study even with higher SAIs - Look into state grant programs - some have higher income limits than federal aid - Consider community college for gen eds if the costs become unmanageable (my neighbor's daughter did 2 years CC then transferred and saved over $40k) The anxiety is real when you see that number, but don't panic yet. Wait to see what the actual financial aid packages look like from her schools. And definitely have her apply to a few "safety" schools that offer good merit aid - sometimes they'll offer more money to attract students who might otherwise go elsewhere. You've got this! The system is frustrating but there are usually more options than it initially appears.

Update: Just got my Student Aid Report this morning! It confirms my SAI is -1500. Now waiting to hear from my schools about their specific packages. Thanks everyone for your help with understanding what this means!

Awesome that you got your SAR so quickly! With a -1500 SAI, you're definitely in a strong position. Just wanted to add - when you get your award letters from schools, don't be afraid to appeal if the package isn't quite enough. Many schools have appeals processes where you can explain special circumstances or request more institutional aid. Also, if you have multiple offers, schools will sometimes match or beat competing offers. Good luck with everything!