After reading through this thread, I'd suggest creating a detailed budget for your college expenses before deciding. List all your costs (tuition, fees, books, housing, food, etc.) and subtract any grants, scholarships, and money from savings/family. If there's still a gap after the subsidized loan, then consider the unsubsidized loan, but only for the amount you actually need. Remember that federal loans also have loan fees (about 1%) deducted from the disbursement amount, so you receive slightly less than what you borrow.

Great thread with lots of solid advice! As a newcomer here, I wanted to add that another factor to consider is your state's loan forgiveness programs. Some states offer loan repayment assistance for nurses who commit to working in underserved areas for a certain number of years. Since you mentioned nursing as your major, it might be worth researching what's available in your state - this could potentially help offset some of that unsubsidized loan debt down the road if you do decide to take it. The HRSA website has a good database of these programs. Just another angle to consider as you make your decision!

Thank you everyone for the helpful advice! I've talked with my son and he's going to e-file his 2022 taxes tomorrow. He's also going to call the financial aid office to explain the situation and ask about a possible extension for the priority deadline. It sounds like trying to submit without filing would create even bigger headaches down the road. I really appreciate all the insights!

As someone who went through a similar situation with my nephew last year, I just want to emphasize how important it is to get ahead of this now. We made the mistake of waiting until after the priority deadline to sort out his tax issues, and he ended up losing out on about $3,000 in institutional grants that were awarded on a first-come, first-served basis. One thing I'd add - if your son's 2022 income was really low (under $10,000), he might actually qualify for simplified needs test or automatic zero EFC benefits once he files properly. This could work in his favor for aid calculations. The key is just getting that return filed ASAP so the FAFSA reflects his actual financial situation rather than estimates that will trigger verification. Good luck to both of you - law school financing is stressful enough without tax complications!

I just went through this whole process with my twins. What a nightmare! I still don't understand why they changed from EFC to SAI - seems like the same thing with a different name. One thing no one mentioned yet: your daughter should also be applying for outside scholarships like crazy. Every $1000 helps! We found several local organizations (Rotary Club, credit union, my husband's employer) that offered small scholarships with much less competition than the national ones. Also, when we got confused about our SAI and aid packages, we scheduled in-person appointments with financial aid offices at each college. SO much more helpful than trying to figure it out over the phone or email.

Hey Sofia! I just went through this exact same situation with my daughter last year - SAI of 52,847 and felt completely overwhelmed. Here's what I wish someone had told me: that SAI number isn't necessarily doom and gloom! Yes, it's higher, but both UT Austin and Baylor have pretty good merit scholarship programs that aren't tied to your FAFSA at all. My daughter ended up with a really decent package from a similar-tier private school despite our high SAI because of her academics (sounds like your daughter has great stats too with that 3.8!). The waiting is the hardest part honestly. Make sure she's submitted all her applications and any additional scholarship applications the schools require. Also double-check that both schools were listed on her FAFSA so they get the data automatically. You're doing great as a first-time FAFSA parent - this process is confusing for everyone!

Hey Dylan, I know this is incredibly stressful timing, but try to stay calm - you're going to get through this! Based on your SAI doubling, it definitely sounds like they found additional income during verification. When you go in Monday morning, also ask them about these specific things: 1) Can they put a temporary hold on your enrollment/charges while this gets sorted out? 2) Do they have any short-term emergency loans to bridge the gap? 3) Can you get on a payment plan for any remaining balance? 4) Are there any departmental scholarships or last-minute aid they can tap into? I've seen schools work miracles for students in situations like yours, especially when you show up prepared with all your documents. Also, if the first person you talk to can't help, don't hesitate to ask to speak with a supervisor or the director of financial aid. Sometimes you need someone with more authority to approve creative solutions. Keep us posted on how it goes - we're all rooting for you!

This is such a stressful situation, but you're handling it really well by gathering all your documents and preparing for Monday! One more thing to consider - if your parents did file an amended tax return or there was additional income discovered, ask the financial aid office if they can show you exactly what data changed on your FAFSA. Sometimes these corrections can be challenged if there were errors in how the school interpreted the information. Also, many schools have emergency aid funds specifically for situations like this where students face unexpected financial barriers right before the semester. Don't be afraid to explain your specific circumstances - that you've already paid for books, committed to housing, etc. Financial aid officers are usually very understanding and want to help students succeed. The fact that your SAI doubled suggests there might have been a significant data entry error or misunderstanding somewhere in the process. Stay strong - you've got a solid plan for Monday morning and lots of good questions to ask!

One more thing - make sure each college has your correct FAFSA information. Sometimes there can be issues with the school codes or data transmission. You can check this on your studentaid.gov account under "My FAFSA" where it shows which schools have received your information.

As someone who just went through this process last year, I want to echo what others have said about checking those student portals! My daughter's aid packages were literally just sitting there for weeks. Also, with your SAI of 10,000, you're actually in a decent position - you might not get Pell Grants but many schools will still offer substantial institutional aid, especially if your daughter has good stats. One thing I learned is that different schools calculate "need" differently even with the same FAFSA info. Our state school gave us mostly loans, but a private college surprised us with a $12k merit scholarship that made it almost the same cost. Don't give up hope yet - and definitely call those financial aid offices if the portals don't have anything. This year has been especially chaotic for everyone in financial aid.