Just an update based on the conversation: once you get your documentation sorted out with the university, double-check that your daughter's aid package includes all components she's eligible for. Sometimes when there are verification delays, students miss out on first-come-first-served aid like Federal Work-Study or certain institutional grants. Ask the financial aid office to review her entire eligibility once the verification is complete.

I work at a university financial aid office and see this situation frequently. Here's what I recommend doing immediately: 1. Schedule an in-person appointment (don't just call) with a senior financial aid counselor - ask specifically for someone experienced with non-filer cases 2. Bring ALL income documentation you have: pay stubs, bank statements showing regular deposits, any 1099s if you received them, employer letters on company letterhead stating your wages 3. Ask for the "Verification of Non-Filing" form AND the "Statement of Educational Purpose" - you'll need both 4. Request that they process any federal aid (Pell Grant, Direct Loans) that doesn't require additional verification while you complete the documentation for other aid Most importantly: explain that you're willing to provide alternative documentation and ask what specific forms they need. Don't let them just say "we need tax returns" - push for the alternative process. Every school is required to have procedures for non-filers. If the first person you speak with seems confused, ask to speak with their supervisor. You've got this!

I just wanted to follow up - based on what you've described, your FAFSA is actually processing correctly. The "Processing" status is what matters most. The system will automatically forward your information to your selected schools even while sending you these erroneous signature request emails. For peace of mind, you might want to call or email your school's financial aid office directly to confirm they've received your FAFSA or that they'll be able to access it soon. Many schools can see that your FAFSA is in the system even before it's fully processed.

So glad to hear your school confirmed they can see your FAFSA in their system! That's exactly what I was hoping would happen. This whole signature loop issue has been plaguing so many students this year, but as long as the schools can access the data on their end, that's what really matters. Thanks for updating the thread - I'm sure other people dealing with this same problem will find your resolution really helpful. It's such a relief when these technical glitches don't actually derail your financial aid timeline!

Has anyone done FAFSA for a trade school and then transferred to a college later? I'm wondering if that affects future aid eligibility?

Just wanted to add my experience - I completed an automotive tech program last year using FAFSA! The process was pretty straightforward once I confirmed my school had a federal school code. One thing that really helped me was creating a studentaid.gov account early and linking it to the IRS for automatic tax info transfer - saved me so much time. Also, don't forget to check if your state has additional aid programs for trade schools. I got an extra $2,000 grant from my state's workforce development fund that I almost missed because I didn't know to look for it. The application was separate from FAFSA but totally worth the extra paperwork! Good luck with your HVAC program - it's such a solid career choice with great job security!

Since your wife is considering nursing specifically, I'd also recommend researching the Nurse Corps Loan Repayment Program and similar state-level programs that can forgive up to 85% of nursing student loans for those who work in critical shortage facilities after graduation. These programs can dramatically reduce the long-term cost of the degree and should be factored into your financial planning alongside the initial FAFSA results.

Great advice from everyone here! As someone who went through this process recently, I'd add that you should also check if the nursing programs she's considering have any prerequisite courses that could be taken at community college first. Many of my classmates did their science prereqs (A&P, microbiology, chemistry) at CC to save money before transferring to a 4-year program for the actual nursing courses. The FAFSA trial run will help you budget for both scenarios. Also, don't forget about work-study opportunities - even part-time students can sometimes qualify, and healthcare-related work-study positions at hospitals or clinics can provide valuable experience alongside the income. At your income level, you might be surprised what you qualify for, especially if you have any unusual expenses or multiple people in college.

One more thing - since your son is a transfer with an SAI around 4500, make sure to have him check if he's eligible for the Middle Class Scholarship (MCS) program. It's not part of the federal FAFSA calculation but is a California program for families with incomes up to $201,000. It won't appear in his initial aid package but is processed separately later in summer. He should automatically be considered if his FAFSA info indicates California residency.

As someone who just went through this process with my daughter's UCSD transfer last year, I wanted to add that the financial aid package timeline can vary quite a bit depending on when your son was accepted. Early acceptances (March/April) typically get packages by late May, while later acceptances might not see them until mid-June. One thing that really helped us was setting up text alerts in the UCSD portal - we got notified immediately when her package was posted rather than constantly checking. Also, don't panic if the initial package looks lower than expected - sometimes work-study allocations and departmental scholarships get added in separate waves throughout the summer. The key is just staying patient during this waiting period since you've done everything correctly on your end!