That's such great news that you got it resolved! A system migration error makes total sense - those big database transfers are notorious for creating duplicates and other glitches. I'm so glad you didn't give up and that the Claimyr service actually worked. It's crazy that we have to use third-party services just to talk to our own government agencies, but whatever gets results! Make sure to keep all that written documentation they're sending you in a safe place. Stories like yours give me hope that these nightmarish loan situations can actually be fixed when you get the right person on the phone.

Wow, what a rollercoaster! I'm so relieved to hear you got this resolved. As someone new to navigating student loans, this whole thread has been both terrifying and educational. The fact that a simple system migration could cause such a massive error really shows how fragile these government databases are. I'm definitely bookmarking that Claimyr service for future reference - it's ridiculous that we need third-party help just to reach our own loan servicers, but if it works, it works! Your persistence is inspiring, especially after dealing with multiple disconnected calls. Thanks for sharing the resolution - it gives hope to others who might face similar nightmares with their loan balances.

yo also apply for food stamps and stuff when u get to college. with that SAI u probably qualify

Just wanted to add that you should also look into your state's financial aid programs! Many states have their own grant programs for students with high financial need, and with a -1500 SAI you'd likely qualify for maximum amounts. For example, some states have grants that can cover $2,000-$5,000+ per year on top of federal aid. Check your state's higher education website or ask the financial aid offices at your schools what state programs they participate in. Also, don't forget about local scholarships from community organizations, churches, businesses, etc. - these often have fewer applicants and can really help bridge any remaining gaps in your aid package.

Hey everyone! Just wanted to let you know I FINALLY got past the blue dot after trying so many different things. What worked: logging in from my phone (not the app, just the website on my phone browser), and toggling airplane mode on/off right before clicking the login button. Sounds weird but it worked! Completed my parent portion last night and got the confirmation email this morning. SAI score was 15460, which is about what we expected based on our income.

Just joining this thread as someone who went through the exact same nightmare last month! The blue dot issue seems to be affecting a lot of parent contributors this year. A few additional tips that helped me after trying everything mentioned here: 1. Clear your browser's SSL cache (not just cookies/history) - this was the game changer for me 2. Try logging in during lunch hours (11am-2pm) when traffic seems lighter 3. If you're using a VPN, turn it off completely 4. Make sure your antivirus isn't blocking the site's scripts Also wanted to add that if you do get locked out of your FSA ID from too many attempts, you have to wait 24 hours before trying again - learned that the hard way! The phone method that @Talia Klein mentioned is brilliant though. Sometimes the mobile version of the site handles the authentication differently than desktop. Hang in there everyone - the system is definitely broken but there are workarounds!

Thank you everyone for all the incredible advice! I just wanted to update that we got everything sorted out. After calling the financial aid office (finally got through after trying different times of day), they added $5,500 in Direct Loans to my daughter's package. We completed the MPN and entrance counseling yesterday. For the remaining amount, we decided to split it between a Parent PLUS loan and our savings. The financial aid officer was actually really helpful once we got through and explained that we can adjust loan amounts for future semesters as needed. I'm so grateful for all your explanations about the different loan types. The subsidized vs. unsubsidized details were particularly helpful - we made sure to maximize the subsidized portion. This community has been amazing!

That's wonderful news that you got everything sorted out! Your experience is going to help so many other families who find themselves in similar situations with late FAFSA filings. It's really smart that you decided to split the remaining costs between Parent PLUS and savings rather than taking on the full amount in loans. One quick tip for next year - you can file the FAFSA as early as October 1st for the following academic year, which will give you much more time to review options and potentially qualify for more need-based aid that gets distributed on a first-come, first-served basis. But honestly, it sounds like you navigated this situation perfectly given the circumstances. Congratulations to your daughter on her acceptance and best of luck with her first year!

As someone who just went through this process with my daughter, I want to echo what others have said about applying to colleges NOW while requesting deferrals. We found that most schools were very accommodating, but each had slightly different requirements for gap year plans. Some wanted just a brief explanation, others wanted more detail about how the gap year would contribute to her academic goals. One thing I wish I had known earlier - check if your state has any specific deadlines for need-based aid that might be different from federal deadlines. Our state grant program had an earlier priority deadline that we almost missed because we were focused on the federal FAFSA timeline. Also, keep all your 2023 tax documents organized and easily accessible since you'll need them when the 2025-2026 FAFSA opens in December 2024. The new FAFSA is supposed to be more user-friendly, but having everything ready beforehand definitely helps the process go smoother.

Great question! I'm in a similar situation with my daughter who's also planning a gap year before fall 2025. From what I've researched, the key timeline is December 2024 when the 2025-2026 FAFSA opens. One thing I'd add to the excellent advice already given - make sure to check if any of the schools your son is interested in have priority deadlines for institutional aid that might be earlier than the federal deadline. Some colleges have their own scholarship deadlines in January or February, so you'll want to submit the FAFSA as soon as possible after it opens in December. Also, I've found it helpful to create accounts on each college's financial aid portal now, even before applying. That way when it's time to submit documents, everything is already set up. The gap year definitely adds some complexity to the timeline, but it sounds like you're asking the right questions early!