Another important consideration is whether you want loans in your name or your son's name with you as co-signer. Parent PLUS loans are solely in your name, while private loans co-signed for your son build his credit history but keep you equally liable. We decided to split the difference - some in our daughter's name (co-signed) to help her build credit, and some as Parent PLUS to maintain certain federal protections. Just something to think about in your planning.

I went through this exact same situation with my daughter at UCLA last year - the sticker shock of UC tuition is real! Here's what worked for us: we applied to 6 different lenders and the rates ranged from 4.2% to 8.9% with identical credit scores (mid-700s). Our best offers came from SoFi (4.2% fixed), Earnest (4.6% fixed), and CommonBond (4.8% fixed). The key was applying within a 2-week window so all the credit checks counted as one inquiry. Also, don't overlook local credit unions - ours offered a competitive rate and much better customer service than the big national lenders. One last tip: see if Berkeley offers any emergency grants or work-study positions that might reduce what you need to borrow. Sometimes they have last-minute funding that doesn't show up in the initial aid package.

Thanks everyone for all the helpful responses! This is exactly the kind of real-world advice I was looking for. It sounds like the consensus is that we're stuck with one borrower per loan, which is disappointing but at least now I know what our options are. I'm leaning toward either the alternating years approach that Aisha suggested or possibly splitting it with separate loans, though those extra fees are concerning. I think we'll start by figuring out which of us has the better credit score and go from there. Really appreciate everyone taking the time to share their experiences - this community is so helpful for navigating all this financial aid confusion!

Hey there! I just went through this exact same situation with my twin daughters starting college this fall. What we ended up doing was having me apply for the PLUS loan since I had the slightly better credit score, but we set up a joint savings account specifically for making the loan payments so we're both contributing equally each month. It's not the same as being official co-borrowers, but it works for us practically speaking. Also, pro tip - make sure whoever applies has checked their credit report recently for any errors that might cause issues with approval. The PLUS loan credit check is pretty lenient compared to private loans, but it's still worth being prepared!

My daughter's application showed the exact same error but with MY SSN missing instead (I'm the mom). So weird that it's happening to so many people. We had to redo the entire thing 😩

This thread has been so helpful! I'm a newcomer here but dealing with the same exact issue. My spouse's SSN disappeared and the "no SSN" box got checked automatically. I've been panicking about having to start over completely, but seeing all these solutions gives me hope. Going to try calling FSA directly first, and if that doesn't work I'll look into the Claimyr service that several people mentioned. It's honestly ridiculous that we have to deal with these glitches when financial aid deadlines are so critical. Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences and solutions!

Update: My son added me as an authorized user through his account settings like you all suggested. We called FSA together and it went SO much better. The rep confirmed they can now discuss his application with me as long as he gives verbal permission at the start of each call. We got everything resolved for his 2025-2026 application. Thanks everyone for your help!

So glad you got this resolved! Your experience really highlights how much clearer the process could be if FSA reps were trained to proactively explain the authorization options instead of just shutting parents down. I went through something similar with my daughter's FAFSA last year - the first rep I spoke to was also pretty dismissive, but the second one walked me through the whole proxy access setup step by step. It's frustrating that getting help seems to depend on which representative you get. Hopefully sharing your solution here will help other parents who run into the same roadblock!

Thank you everyone for all the helpful advice! Based on your suggestions, I'm going to: 1. Look into additional unsubsidized loans my son can take in his name first 2. Ask the financial aid office about any additional CSS Profile-based aid 3. If I do need to take Parent PLUS loans, I'll definitely request the in-school deferment 4. Research that consolidation loophole more (that could be a game-changer!) I really appreciate all the perspectives - both positive and cautionary. It's given me a lot to think about!

Just wanted to add one more thing that helped me - make sure to exhaust ALL other options before going the Parent PLUS route. I wish I had known to appeal my son's financial aid package first! We wrote a letter explaining some unexpected medical expenses we had, and the school actually increased his grant aid by $3,500. Also check if your employer offers tuition assistance programs - mine reimburses up to $2,000 per year for dependent children's education. These smaller amounts really add up and can reduce how much you need to borrow. Good luck with whatever you decide!