I'm a financial aid counselor at a community college in Ohio. Something to consider: many community colleges now have housing partnerships with nearby apartments that are much cheaper than university dorms. For example, Columbus State has partnerships where students pay about $600-700/month for housing with roommates. With a part-time job, this could be manageable even with limited financial aid. The federal loan limits are the same whether at community college or university.

As someone who just went through this process with my own kid, I want to echo what others have said about community college being the smart financial move. But here's something I haven't seen mentioned yet - look into whether Ohio colleges offer "guaranteed transfer" programs. Many community colleges have agreements with 4-year universities that guarantee admission and credit transfer if your daughter maintains a certain GPA (usually 2.5-3.0). This takes the uncertainty out of the transfer process and can give you both peace of mind. Also, with a $65K household income, your daughter might qualify for some need-based aid at the community college level too - every little bit helps when you're trying to avoid debt!

Thank you everyone for the incredibly helpful advice! We're going to pursue the dependency override path with all the documentation suggestions you've provided. She's going to 1) submit the FAFSA indicating parent info isn't available, 2) gather statements from counselors/teachers/adults who know her situation, 3) document all her expenses, 4) highlight the contradiction between her dad claiming her on taxes while threatening eviction, and 5) request an in-person meeting with financial aid. We'll also look into vocational rehabilitation services through the state and check if the college has a TRIO program. If anyone has successfully navigated this process and has any other tips, please share them!

I went through a dependency override process last year and want to emphasize something that helped me a lot - timing your submission strategically. Since you mentioned graduation is only 2 months away, I'd recommend she submit her FAFSA and override request ASAP, but also have a backup plan ready. What really helped in my case was getting a letter from my high school's social worker (not just the counselor) because they're trained to document these types of family situations professionally. If her school has one, definitely reach out to them. Also, when she meets with financial aid, she should ask about their appeals timeline and what happens if the override isn't approved before enrollment deadlines. Some schools will allow provisional enrollment or delayed payment plans while the override is being processed. Don't let them tell her she just has to wait - there are usually interim solutions available if you push for them. Good luck to your niece! The system is frustrating but it IS possible to get through it with the right documentation and persistence.

One more important note: If your daughter is applying to schools with CSS Profile requirements (mostly private colleges), that form DOES have a section specifically for reporting special circumstances like parent death. So for those schools, you can document the change in both the CSS Profile and through their PJ process.

I'm so sorry for your loss, Fatima. What you're going through is heartbreaking, and it's completely understandable to feel overwhelmed by the financial aid process on top of everything else you're dealing with. As others have mentioned, the Professional Judgment process is definitely your best option here. I'd also suggest reaching out to your daughter's high school guidance counselor if they're knowledgeable about financial aid - they might be able to help you navigate this or connect you with resources in your area. One thing I haven't seen mentioned yet: some colleges have emergency aid funds or hardship grants specifically for situations like yours. When you contact their financial aid offices about the Professional Judgment review, ask if they have any additional emergency assistance programs for families who have experienced the death of a parent. These are often separate from the regular aid process and can provide additional support. Also, don't hesitate to ask the financial aid offices to walk you through their process over the phone if any of their forms or requirements seem confusing. Most aid administrators understand that families going through these situations are dealing with a lot, and they're usually willing to provide extra guidance. You're being such a strong advocate for your daughter during an incredibly difficult time. She's lucky to have you fighting for her future.

It's frustrating but typical bureaucracy. I've been dealing with FAFSA for three kids now, and every year we get redundant emails. The left hand doesn't know what the right is doing. As long as you have your SAI (used to be EFC), you're golden. BTW, since you mentioned 2025-26, make sure that if you or your son have any special circumstances (like job loss, medical expenses, etc.) that happened after the tax year used for FAFSA, you contact each school's financial aid office directly for a professional judgment review. That's something many parents don't realize they can do!

I'm new to this FAFSA process and seeing this thread is actually really reassuring! My daughter is a high school senior and we just submitted her 2025-26 FAFSA last week. I was already worried about whether we did everything correctly, so if we get one of these "reminder" emails I would have probably panicked too. Thanks everyone for explaining that this is normal - it's so helpful to have a community where parents can share these experiences. The government really should fix their email system though... seems like it causes unnecessary stress for families during an already overwhelming time!

One more tip that might help - if your daughter's program requires any additional financial aid forms beyond FAFSA (like CSS Profile or school-specific forms), make sure to note those deadlines too. Some graduate programs, especially at private universities, require multiple forms with different deadlines. Also, if she's considering taking out private loans to supplement federal aid, it's worth shopping around for rates early in the process rather than waiting until the last minute. Graduate school can be expensive, so having all your funding options mapped out ahead of time really helps with planning!

As someone who just went through this process with my son last year, I wanted to add that it's also worth checking if your daughter's graduate program participates in any state-specific aid programs. Some states have grants or loan forgiveness programs specifically for graduate students in certain fields like education, healthcare, or public service. These often have separate applications and deadlines from FAFSA, but they can provide significant funding. Also, don't overlook professional associations in her field - many offer scholarships specifically for graduate students that aren't widely advertised. The competition is often lower than you'd expect because fewer people know about them!