Update: It finally populated! Just checked this morning (Thursday) and all the tax info was there. Thanks everyone for the advice and keeping me from panicking. Now I just need to figure out how this contributor invitation works...

Great to see it worked out! For other parents reading this thread, I wanted to add that if you're still having issues with the IRS Data Retrieval Tool after 5-7 business days, you can also check if your tax return status with the IRS. Sometimes if there were any issues with your return processing, it can prevent the data transfer from working. You can check this on the IRS website or by calling their automated line. Also, make sure the names and SSNs on your tax return match exactly what you're entering in the FAFSA - even small differences can cause the tool to fail.

One more important thing to consider: If you make this correction, be consistent with it for future years AND for your girlfriend's son's FAFSA (if you're listed on his too). The Department of Education has systems that flag conflicting household information across linked FAFSAs. If your household size is 5 on your daughter's FAFSA, it should also be 5 on her son's. Otherwise, it could trigger verification for both students.

I went through something very similar with my blended family situation. Here's what I learned from experience: 1. You absolutely should update your household size - the FAFSA rules are clear that if you provide more than half support, they count regardless of tax status or legal relationships. 2. However, given that your girlfriend's son already has aid based on her filing separately, you need to be strategic. Changing both FAFSAs simultaneously could create inconsistencies that trigger audits. My recommendation: Start with just your daughter's FAFSA correction first. Update household size to 5 and see how it processes. If you're selected for verification, you'll need documentation showing you support everyone (utility bills, lease agreements, grocery receipts, etc.). Once that's resolved and your daughter gets her revised aid package, then consider whether to address your girlfriend's son's FAFSA for next year. The income inclusion question is tricky - technically if you provide most household support, your income should probably be included on his FAFSA too, but that would likely reduce his aid significantly. Document everything and consider getting a consultation with a financial aid professional who understands unmarried partner situations. The rules exist to help families like yours, but the system isn't always intuitive about how to apply them.

Update: I finally got my son's FAFSA started and found the IRS data transfer button. After clicking it, I can confirm that the fields now show "Transferred from IRS" instead of the actual numbers. Such a relief! Now I just need my son to create his FSA ID so he can sign it. Thanks everyone for your help!

Just want to add one more tip that helped me - when your son creates his FSA ID, make sure he uses an email address that he checks regularly and will have access to throughout college. The FSA ID is what he'll use for all future financial aid applications, loan management, and communications from Federal Student Aid. I made the mistake of using my daughter's high school email for her first FSA ID and then had to go through a whole process to update it when the school email got deactivated after graduation. Save yourself the headache and use a personal email from the start!

UPDATE: We finally got it working! What fixed it for us was completely counterintuitive. My daughter had to start a completely new application, then delete it, THEN log back in - and suddenly the contributor invitation appeared as a notification at the top of her dashboard. Never would have figured this out without your help. For anyone else with this issue, try these steps in order: 1. Check the Contributors section in the application 2. Log out, clear cache, log back in 3. Start a new application then delete it 4. Check if the SAI calculation has started Such a relief to finally move forward with this. Thank you all for your help!

So glad you got it figured out! That's such a weird workaround but I'm definitely saving this thread for future reference. My younger son will be applying next year and I'm already dreading dealing with this system again. The fact that starting a new application then deleting it somehow triggers the notification to appear is just... wow. The FAFSA developers really need to get their act together. Thanks for sharing the solution - I'm sure this will help other families who run into the same issue!

Update: I went back and changed my answer to 'no' on the free lunch question. It was actually pretty easy to fix - I just had to log back in, go to 'Make FAFSA Corrections' and update that question. The system let me edit it without having to redo the entire application. Thanks everyone for your help! I feel much better knowing I've got accurate information submitted now.

Great question and I'm glad you got it sorted out! This is actually a really common confusion point. I work in financial aid at a community college and we see this mixup all the time with families whose schools participate in the Community Eligibility Provision. Just to reinforce what others have said - the FAFSA question is specifically asking about income-based eligibility for free/reduced meals, not whether your child actually receives them through a universal program. The Department of Education uses this as an indicator of financial need, so it's important to answer based on whether your family income would qualify you under normal circumstances. You definitely made the right call changing it to 'no' - it keeps your application accurate and avoids any potential issues down the road. Good luck with your daughter's financial aid process!