That sounds like a solid plan! One additional tip from my experience - when you're gathering documentation, also include any court orders or legal documents that specifically address child support (even if it's $0). Some schools asked for this as part of their review process. Also, don't get discouraged if some schools initially deny your appeal - you can often request a second review or speak with a supervisor. The squeaky wheel really does get the grease with financial aid offices. Good luck with everything, and definitely do update us on how it goes!

As someone new to navigating FAFSA complications, I really appreciate everyone sharing their experiences here. Isabella, your situation sounds incredibly stressful but your methodical approach is inspiring. I'm curious - for those who have been through the special circumstances appeals process, roughly how long did it take to get responses from the financial aid offices? I'm trying to plan my own timeline and wondering if I should expect weeks or months for schools to review these cases. Also, did any schools ask for additional documentation beyond what you initially submitted, or was the standard package (separation agreement, proof of separate households, support documentation) usually sufficient?

Just wanted to add one more perspective as someone who thought they were "too rich" for aid. My family makes good money but we still qualified for some need-based grants because we have 3 kids in college at the same time. The FAFSA calculation considers family size, number in college, and other factors beyond just income. Plus many schools use it to determine eligibility for their own institutional scholarships that aren't even need-based. It's definitely worth the 30 minutes to fill out, especially since you can always decline aid if you don't want it!

Hey Connor! Just wanted to chime in as someone who went through this exact same situation with my parents a few years ago. They were convinced it was mandatory too! Turns out they had mixed up some info they read about schools requiring it for aid with it being a federal law. After all the great advice here, I'd definitely recommend filling it out even if your family is well-off. I was surprised to learn that even high-income families can qualify for unsubsidized federal loans, which have way better terms than private loans if you ever need them for grad school or unexpected expenses. Plus, like others mentioned, many merit scholarships require FAFSA completion regardless of need. The privacy concerns are understandable, but the data is pretty well protected under federal law. And honestly, the new simplified FAFSA really does only take about 30 minutes now. Better to have options and not need them than to need them and not have them!

One thing nobody's mentioned - if your daughter is living with you most of the time and you're supporting her financially, make absolutely certain you're listed as the custodial parent on the FAFSA. That's actually MORE important than the house asset question in most cases because it determines whose income and assets are considered. I've seen so many people mess this up during divorce situations.

I went through something very similar two years ago! Based on my experience, since you're the custodial parent, filed taxes separately in 2023, and have signed divorce paperwork showing the house goes to your ex, you should NOT include it as your asset. The key is that you're only reporting YOUR assets now, not joint assets from the marriage. I'd definitely add a note in the comments section like others suggested - something like "House being transferred to ex-spouse per divorce settlement, not included as parent asset." Keep all your divorce documentation handy because there's a decent chance you'll get selected for verification with a situation like this. The financial aid office at my daughter's school was actually really helpful when I had to explain my divorce asset situation during verification. You've got this!

One more thing to consider: rather than focusing only on co-signer release, you might want to look at the full range of benefits. Some lenders offer: - Longer grace periods after graduation (up to 9 months instead of standard 6) - Hardship forbearance options if he struggles to find work - Death/disability discharge protections (not all private loans have this) - No prepayment penalties For my daughter, we found Sallie Mae's Smart Option loan had the best combination of features, even though their co-signer release requires 12 months of principal and interest payments after graduation.

I'm in a very similar situation with my daughter starting college this fall! After reading through everyone's experiences, I'm realizing I need to be much more strategic about this. One question I haven't seen addressed - has anyone compared the total cost differences between starting with private loans (with co-signer release goals) versus doing Parent PLUS initially and then refinancing later? I'm wondering if the higher Parent PLUS rates and origination fees might actually cost more in the long run, even if you're stuck as co-signer for a few extra years with private loans. Also, for those who've been through the co-signer release process - did any lenders require additional documentation beyond just proving income and credit score? Like employment verification letters or tax returns? Thanks for all the detailed advice in this thread - it's been incredibly helpful!

wait what is SAI? is that like the EFC? my daughter got her EFC score last yr but now im seeing SAI everywhere

This is such a relief to see resolved! I'm new to the FAFSA process (first kid heading to college) and this thread has been incredibly helpful. The fact that so many people had the same issue makes me feel better about potentially making mistakes myself. I'm bookmarking this thread for when I start our application next month. Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences and solutions - it really helps us newbies navigate this confusing system!