This is exactly what I needed to know, thank you! I'm going to talk to my ex and make sure he understands he needs to file the FAFSA. Not looking forward to that conversation, but it sounds like there's no way around it. I wish the financial aid system was simpler.

I went through this exact situation with my daughter two years ago! The custody/FAFSA rules can be so confusing when you're divorced. Just wanted to add that if you and your ex have joint legal custody but your son physically lives with his dad more than half the time, then yes, his dad is the one who needs to complete the FAFSA - even though you claim your son on taxes and handle the college planning. One thing that helped us was getting everything in writing with my ex before FAFSA season. We agreed on who would file, how we'd split any parent PLUS loans, and what info each of us would provide. It avoided a lot of drama later when deadlines were approaching. For the UTMA account - definitely consider using some of those funds for legitimate college prep expenses before filing if the timing works out. We bought my daughter's laptop, dorm supplies, and even paid for some SAT prep courses from her UTMA account the month before filing, which reduced the reportable balance.

also check if ne of the schools require the CSS Profile form!!!! my daughtrs first choice needed both FAFSA and CSS and they wouldnt give ANY aid without both even though FAFSA was done! we almost missed out on 22k in aid bc of that stupid form

I'm in a very similar situation right now! My son's FAFSA processed about 2 weeks ago with an SAI of -1800, and we're also waiting on aid packages. Reading through all these responses is really helpful - I had no idea schools could take so long after FAFSA processing. One thing I discovered is that some schools have a "to-do list" in their student portals that shows if they're still waiting for anything from you, even after FAFSA is processed. Might be worth checking those portals for any missing items that could be holding up the aid packaging process. Also, if it helps with timing - I called one school yesterday and they said they typically release aid packages in "waves" throughout March and April, so even schools that seem slow might still be on their normal timeline. But definitely agree with everyone saying to call directly rather than wait!

UPDATE: Problem solved! For anyone having this issue in the future, here's what worked: 1. My financial aid office submitted the FSA-38 Database Override Request form mentioned by one of the commenters 2. I also got through to FSA using the Claimyr service that someone suggested 3. The FSA agent confirmed there was a system flag on my account from a previous data verification attempt that was causing the automatic rejection The agent removed the flag and processed a manual verification. My SAI score was calculated within 48 hours and my aid package is now being processed! Thanks everyone for the help!

Wow, thank you Victoria for posting this detailed update! As someone who's been lurking here trying to figure out my own FAFSA issues, this thread has been incredibly helpful. I'm dealing with a similar SSN/DOB mismatch problem and have been getting nowhere with the regular FSA phone line. I'm definitely going to ask my financial aid office about the FSA-38 Database Override Request form - I had no idea that existed! And the Claimyr service sounds like a lifesaver for actually getting through to someone who can help. It's so frustrating that the new FAFSA system is causing all these problems for students who never had issues before. Really appreciate everyone sharing their experiences and solutions here!

Just wanted to add my experience here - I was in the exact same boat last year! I panicked thinking the CSS Profile would hurt my chances because it shows so much more detail about our finances. But honestly, it ended up helping me get MORE aid at my private colleges. The key thing everyone's saying is right - you NEED both forms. FAFSA gets you federal aid (which is huge - Pell Grants, subsidized loans, etc.) and CSS Profile helps private schools give you their institutional money. Don't worry about being "too transparent" - financial aid offices want to help students who need aid. The extra info in CSS Profile can actually work in your favor if you have special circumstances. I got much better packages from schools that used CSS Profile than from ones that only used FAFSA. Get that FAFSA done ASAP though! You're missing out on potentially thousands in federal aid without it.

Don't stress too much about being "too transparent" with your finances! I was in a similar situation and worried that the CSS Profile would hurt my aid chances because it digs so deep into family assets. But here's what I learned: many private schools have MUCH better aid packages than you'd expect, and they use that detailed CSS info to actually help students in unique situations. The bottom line everyone's hitting on is absolutely correct - you need BOTH forms. FAFSA is non-negotiable for federal aid (Pell Grants alone can be worth thousands), and CSS Profile unlocks institutional aid at private colleges that often have huge endowments to help students. I'd recommend getting your FAFSA submitted immediately since you're already behind on that. The CSS Profile work you've done isn't wasted at all - it's going to open doors to aid you wouldn't get otherwise. You didn't make a mistake by being thorough with your financial info!

everyone saying call the fafsa people but omg their phone system is THE WORST. i spent 3 days trying to get through. finally used that Claimyr service someone mentioned above and got through in like 15 mins. worth it cuz i was losing my mind with the hold music lol

A follow-up on the process: if your application has already been processed and generated an SAI, making corrections will trigger a recalculation. It's important to note that all schools you listed on your FAFSA will automatically receive the updated information once corrections are processed. However, as another commenter suggested, it's still good practice to contact your schools' financial aid offices to ensure they're aware of the pending correction. For your specific errors: - The income correction from $87k to $78k could significantly impact your aid eligibility - The tax return status is less critical as long as the income figures are accurate The most important thing is to address this quickly, whether that means catching it before processing completes or making corrections immediately after.