One more thought - since your residency documentation is in process, request a letter from the residency office stating that your application is under review. This official documentation can sometimes be used by the scholarship office to grant you a conditional award pending final residency determination. Also, given your exceptional financial need (SAI of -1500) and strong academic performance, be sure to inquire about: 1. First-generation student scholarships (if applicable) 2. Department-specific scholarships in your major 3. Emergency retention funds (many schools have these for students in financial distress) 4. Private scholarships that partner with your university but don't have residency requirements Your financial aid package should be viewed holistically, not just focused on the Land Grant Scholarship.

Hey Natalia! I went through a similar situation last year at CSU (Colorado State) with their Land Grant Scholarship. Colorado schools are actually pretty reasonable about pending residency cases compared to some other states I've heard about. A few Colorado-specific tips: 1. Most CO land grant universities will do a "conditional award" if your residency paperwork is actively being processed - you just need to provide proof it's in the system 2. With your -1500 SAI, you're basically guaranteed the scholarship once residency clears (assuming you meet the GPA requirements) 3. Colorado has a "good faith" policy where if you can show you're genuinely trying to establish residency (not just for tuition purposes), they're more flexible Also, since you're first-gen, definitely look into the Colorado Opportunity Fund and the College Opportunity Fund - these are state programs that stack with federal aid and don't have the same strict residency timelines. Call the financial aid office first thing Monday morning (they're less busy then) and ask specifically about "conditional Land Grant awards pending residency verification." Use those exact words - it shows you know the process exists. You've got this! Your financial need score basically guarantees you'll get substantial aid once the paperwork catches up.

Question- does your current spouse contribute to your daughters expenses at all? I think that might matter too for dependent status stuff? Just wondering.

Just wanted to add my perspective as someone who went through this recently! I was in almost the exact same situation - remarried for 4 years but filed separately. I selected "No" for the joint tax return question and made sure to include both my income and my current spouse's income in all the parent sections. My daughter's FAFSA went through without any issues and we didn't get selected for verification. The key is being consistent - answer "No" to the joint filing question since that's literally what your tax status was, but then make absolutely sure you're reporting both household incomes accurately throughout the rest of the application. Don't overthink it - the question is asking about your actual tax filing status, not your marital status!

Whatever u do, fill it out EARLY!!! The new FAFSA was a disaster this year and people who waited got SCREWED with less aid because money ran out at some schools. January deadline if possible!!

As someone who works in financial aid at a community college, I want to emphasize something that hasn't been mentioned yet - even if you don't qualify for need-based federal aid, completing the FAFSA can make your son eligible for unsubsidized federal Direct Loans, which have much better terms than private loans. Also, Washington state has some unique programs worth considering. The Washington College Grant has expanded significantly and now covers families making up to about $100k+ depending on family size. Even if you're slightly over the income threshold, it's worth checking. One more thing - if your 2024 income is going to be significantly higher than 2023, that actually works in your favor for the 2025-2026 FAFSA since it uses 2023 tax info. This might be your best year to apply for aid before your higher income kicks in for future FAFSA calculations. The whole process really does take less than an hour once you have your tax documents ready. Given the potential upside and minimal time investment, I'd strongly recommend filing!

I'm dealing with a similar login nightmare right now! Created my FSA ID last spring, submitted everything fine, but now it's like my account never existed. I've been trying for three days straight with password resets, different browsers, clearing cache - nothing works. The most frustrating part is that I can see my school already has some of my info from last year's FAFSA, so the data is obviously somewhere in their system, but I just can't access my account to update it for 2025-2026. Thanks for posting this - at least I know I'm not the only one going crazy over this! Going to try that Claimyr service and the incognito browser method. Fingers crossed!

This is such a widespread issue and it's honestly unacceptable that so many students are dealing with login problems during critical application periods! I'm a college junior and had to deal with this exact same situation last month. What worked for me was a combination of several suggestions I'm seeing here: 1. Cleared ALL browser data (not just cache) and waited 24 hours before trying again 2. Used a completely different device (borrowed my roommate's laptop) 3. Called during off-peak hours (early morning around 8 AM EST) to get through faster The FSA agent I finally reached explained that there were backend database issues affecting accounts created in certain time periods last year. She was able to restore my access without needing to create a new FSA ID, which saved me from having to re-verify all my information. For everyone still struggling - document everything you're trying and any error messages you get. The agents can use that info to troubleshoot more effectively. Also, if your school's financial aid office offers virtual help sessions, definitely attend one. They often have direct contacts that can expedite these technical issues. Don't panic about deadlines - most schools are being flexible with FAFSA submission dates this year specifically because of these system problems. But definitely reach out to your financial aid office to let them know you're having technical difficulties so they can make a note in your file.

Based on everything discussed, here's a complete action plan for you: 1. Have your stepdad apply for a Parent PLUS loan (even though you expect denial) 2. Once denied, request the additional $4,000 in unsubsidized loans you'll be eligible for 3. Submit a professional judgment appeal with documentation of job loss (termination letter, unemployment statements, current bank statements showing reduced income) 4. Ask specifically about dependency override possibilities 5. Contact FSA directly about your options (using the contact method mentioned above if you have trouble getting through) 6. Create a spreadsheet of external scholarship opportunities - many have deadlines throughout the year 7. If you still have a gap, talk to your school about payment plans or emergency assistance funds With this approach, you might be able to secure enough funding without private loans and their credit requirements. Would you like more specific advice on any of these steps?

I'm in a very similar situation - my mom lost her job last year and our family income dropped by about 60%. Here's what worked for me: First, definitely have your stepdad apply for the Parent PLUS loan so you can get that denial letter - it's counterintuitive but necessary. Second, when you do the professional judgment appeal, include EVERYTHING: termination letter, unemployment statements, current paystubs (if any), bank statements showing the reduced income, even utility shut-off notices if you have them. The more documentation you provide, the better. Also, don't just email this stuff - make an appointment to sit down with a financial aid counselor in person if possible. They're more likely to really advocate for you when they can put a face to the situation. One thing that really helped me was asking specifically about work-study opportunities too - even if it's just a few thousand, every bit helps close that gap!