UPDATE: after trying for 5 days straight i FINALLY got my contributor account working!!! what fixed it was using my PHONE instead of computer AND doing it at 4:30am when nobody else was on the system!! completed my part of both my kids applications. such a relief!!! if your still stuck try the middle of the night seriously it worked!!!

I'm dealing with this exact same issue right now! My son sent me the contributor invitation 6 days ago and I keep getting stuck at the same step 7. It's incredibly frustrating knowing that there's a known glitch and they have no timeline for fixing it. I'm going to try some of the suggestions here - the Edge browser in incognito mode and creating the FSA ID separately first. Also going to attempt it in the early morning hours when the system might be less overloaded. Thanks to everyone sharing their workarounds and experiences. It's reassuring to know we're not alone in this mess, even though it shouldn't be this complicated to help our kids with financial aid!

my sister had almost the same SAI last year an she got like $1200 in pell. her school also gave her some grant money that covered almost half of tuition so def wait for the full packages before worrying too much

As a newcomer to this process, I'm finding this thread incredibly helpful! My daughter is in a similar situation with her SAI, and I had no idea there were so many different types of aid beyond just the Pell Grant. Reading about the MAP grant for Illinois residents and how different schools might offer varying amounts of institutional aid is really eye-opening. It sounds like the key takeaway is to wait for all the financial aid packages before making any decisions, since the final cost can vary so much between schools. Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences - it's making this whole process feel less overwhelming!

Yes! We actually appealed the financial aid offer at Private #2 by showing them the better offer from Private #1. They ended up adding another $8k in institutional grants. Definitely worth asking, especially if you can show better offers from similar schools.

As someone who just went through this process with my youngest, I wanted to share that an SAI of 20972 is actually pretty manageable! Don't let the number scare you. What really matters is how individual colleges interpret and work with that number. A few practical tips based on our experience: - Apply to schools with strong endowments if possible - they often have more flexibility with aid - Don't overlook state schools with honors programs - sometimes they offer merit aid that can bring costs below your SAI - Keep all your financial documents organized because some schools may ask for additional verification Also, if your family's financial situation has changed since you filed (job loss, medical expenses, etc.), make sure to contact each school's financial aid office directly. They can often make adjustments that the FAFSA formula doesn't capture. Good luck!

I'm so sorry you're going through this! I'm new to this community but facing a similar situation with my stepdaughter's FAFSA. Her biological father lives in Canada and we're hitting the same verification wall. Reading through everyone's responses here has been incredibly helpful - especially the advice about contacting the school directly for professional judgment and the tip about certified translations. I had no idea that translation certification could be causing delays. Thank you all for sharing your experiences, it's making me feel less alone in this process. AstroAlpha, I really hope you get this resolved soon - two months is absolutely ridiculous!

As someone who went through this exact nightmare last year, I feel your pain! My husband is from the Philippines and we also got stuck in verification hell for months. A few things that eventually helped: 1) Document EVERYTHING - keep records of every call, email, and submission date. 2) Try calling FSA first thing in the morning (8am EST) - I had better luck getting through then. 3) Ask to speak to a "verification specialist" specifically, not just general customer service. 4) Consider having your daughter's school submit an appeal for "unusual circumstances" due to the verification delay. My son's college was able to provide temporary aid while we waited. The whole system is broken when it comes to international spouses, but don't give up! It will eventually get resolved, even though it feels hopeless right now.

wait ur parents make 120k and u think ull get good aid?? lol maybe at like harvard or smth but most places will give u squat with that income js

I'm sorry you're dealing with this stressful situation! Identity theft complications are more common than you might think, and schools are generally understanding about these circumstances. Here's my advice as someone who went through a similar process: 1. Document everything NOW - get copies of the IRS Identity Theft Affidavit (Form 14039), any correspondence with the IRS about the identity verification process, and police reports if they filed any. 2. Contact each school's financial aid office BEFORE submitting your FAFSA. Explain the situation and ask about their specific procedures for identity theft cases. Many have special forms or processes. 3. Submit your FAFSA with estimated figures using your parents' 2022 W-2s and other available documents. Mark clearly that these are estimates due to the identity theft situation. 4. Keep detailed records of all communications with schools and the IRS - you'll likely need to reference these multiple times throughout the process. The good news is that this won't automatically disqualify you from aid or priority consideration if you're proactive about communication. Schools deal with these situations regularly and have procedures in place. The key is being transparent and organized with your documentation. Don't let this derail your college plans - you have options!