Make sure to check if your daughter's school has a preferred lender list or specific deadlines for Parent PLUS certification. Some schools batch process their loan certifications on specific dates, which can add weeks to the timeline if you miss a cutoff. For 2025-26, I'd recommend this approach: 1. Submit FAFSA by November 2024 2. Check with the financial aid office in April 2025 about their Parent PLUS certification timeline 3. Submit Parent PLUS application as soon as they begin accepting them 4. If not approved by 6 weeks before payment deadline, begin private loan application as backup Also remember that each school can set their own priority deadlines for financial aid that are earlier than the federal deadlines.

As someone who just went through this exact situation, I highly recommend creating a backup plan timeline. Here's what saved us last year: 1. Apply for Parent PLUS 12 weeks before tuition due date (not 8-10 weeks) 2. At the 8-week mark, if Parent PLUS isn't fully processed AND disbursed, immediately start private loan applications 3. Keep detailed records of every phone call, reference number, and person you speak with - this becomes crucial if you need to escalate The key thing I learned is that "processing" and "disbursement" are two completely different timelines. Even after approval, schools can take 2-4 weeks to actually get the money into your student account. Also, if you do go the private loan route as backup, you can cancel the Parent PLUS loan before disbursement if needed. Better to have multiple options than scramble at the last minute with late fees looming!

Just checking back - has your daughter's application status changed back to "processed" yet? It typically takes 3-5 business days, but with the system issues this year, some are taking longer.

That's such a relief to hear it went back to processed with the same SAI! I'm dealing with something similar right now - accidentally triggered a resubmission on my son's FAFSA two days ago and have been stressed about it ever since. Your experience gives me hope that it will sort itself out. The new FAFSA system really needs better warnings about what actions will cause a resubmission!

FAFSA update: I finally got through to someone on the phone (after being disconnected 3 times). The agent confirmed what many of you said - it's a known system issue with their email notifications. My application is definitely complete and processed! She said they're aware of the problem and working on fixing it, but couldn't give me a timeline. Thanks everyone for your help and confirming I wasn't going crazy!

Just wanted to add my experience to help others - I got the same confusing email last week! Like everyone else, I had already completed my FAFSA in February and received my SAI. I was totally stressed until I read through all these comments. I checked my studentaid.gov account and everything showed "Processed" with my SAI displayed, so I followed the advice here and ignored the email. My daughter's college financial aid office also confirmed they have all our information and are processing her aid package. It's really frustrating that FAFSA can't get their notification system working properly - these emails are causing so much unnecessary panic for families during an already stressful time. But at least now I know it's a widespread glitch and not just me!

I'm so sorry you're going through this stress! I just went through the exact same situation a few months ago. Here's what I wish someone had told me from the start: 1. **Time is critical** - Start the endorser process IMMEDIATELY while also exploring other options. Don't wait to see if one path works before trying another. 2. **Multiple backup plans** - Accept those additional unsubsidized loans right away (even if it's not the full amount), apply for emergency grants from your school, and look into payment plans. 3. **Endorser tips** - When approaching potential endorsers, be upfront about the responsibility but also mention it's only for THIS loan period. Don't make it sound scarier than it needs to be, but be honest about what they're signing up for. 4. **School communication** - Call your financial aid office AND bursar's office today. Many schools are understanding about Parent PLUS delays if you're proactive about communicating. You've got this! It feels overwhelming now but there are definitely solutions. The key is acting fast on multiple fronts instead of putting all your eggs in one basket. Keep us updated on how it goes!

I'm a financial aid officer and want to add some important details that might help: **Timeline Reality Check**: While people are saying 7-10 days, I'm seeing 2-3 weeks minimum right now due to high volume. Don't count on anything faster. **Endorser Requirements**: The endorser must pass their own credit check - they can't have adverse credit history either. This trips up a lot of families who assume any willing relative will qualify. **School-Specific Options**: Contact your financial aid office about these additional options: - Emergency/hardship grants (many schools have funds specifically for this situation) - Extended payment plans that let you pay tuition in installments - Work-study increases if you're already eligible - Institutional loans with better terms than private loans **Pro Tip**: If you're close to your degree completion, some schools will let you register and attend classes while the PLUS loan is processing, as long as you sign an agreement to pay if it falls through. Don't panic - I've helped hundreds of students through this exact situation and there's almost always a path forward. The key is having multiple backup plans ready to go.

Final thought: Don't forget to consider the logistics. Most 529 plans take 3-5 business days for contributions to clear, and then another 7-10 business days for withdrawals to process. Plan accordingly if you're on a tight timeline for paying that tuition bill!

Just wanted to share my experience as someone who did exactly this in Pennsylvania last year! Put $6,000 into my daughter's PA 529 in July and withdrew it in August for her tuition. The state tax savings were real - saved about $184 on my PA taxes. The process was smooth with no issues from the state. One small tip: I used the PA 529 GSP Direct Plan since it's the official state plan that qualifies for the deduction. Make sure you're using the right plan! Also keep detailed records - I created a simple spreadsheet tracking the contribution date, withdrawal date, and what expenses I paid with it. Made tax time much easier. Good luck with your daughter's college journey!