Update for everyone following this thread: The Department of Education recently acknowledged the signature notification issues with the 2025-2026 FAFSA. They've directed state agencies (including California Student Aid Commission) to accept appeals with documentation showing application attempts prior to deadlines. Specifically for Cal Grants, they're reviewing applications that were started before May 2nd even if the signature wasn't completed until later. OP should definitely proceed with the appeal process, as there's now official guidance to accommodate these system-related issues.

I'm so glad you found that March 15th email - that's going to be crucial for your appeal! As someone who went through a similar situation last year, I'd also recommend checking your college's financial aid portal to see if there's any record of them receiving your FAFSA data in March. Sometimes schools get the information even when the federal system shows incomplete status. Also, when you meet with your financial aid office tomorrow, ask them to check if your Expected Family Contribution (EFC) was calculated back in March - if it was, that's another piece of evidence that your FAFSA was substantially complete before the deadline. Many schools are being very understanding about these technical glitches this year, especially since the Department of Education has acknowledged the problems. Keep us posted on how your appeal goes - your story could really help other students dealing with the same issue!

Don't get too discouraged! While the previous comment has some truth about the system's problems, there are definitely strategies to maximize your aid: 1. Apply to schools known for meeting high percentages of demonstrated need (many private colleges) 2. Look for schools where your academic profile is above their average - you may get merit scholarships on top of need-based aid 3. Apply for as many private scholarships as possible 4. If your family's financial situation has changed since the tax year used for FAFSA, file an appeal with each financial aid office (professional judgment review) 5. Consider starting at a community college for gen-ed courses, then transferring With an SAI of 1500, you're in a better position than many students. Focus on schools with strong aid programs and be strategic in your applications.

Your SAI of 1500 puts you in a really good position for financial aid! As others mentioned, the lower the SAI, the better for aid eligibility. Here's what you can realistically expect: **Federal Aid:** - You'll likely qualify for a substantial Pell Grant (probably around $6,000-7,000 since the max is about $7,900 for SAI under 3000) - Subsidized federal loans where the government pays interest while you're enrolled - Possible work-study opportunities **The key thing to remember:** Your actual out-of-pocket cost will vary DRAMATICALLY between schools. I've seen students with similar SAIs get offers ranging from $5,000/year to $25,000+/year depending on the institution. **Pro tip:** When you get your aid packages, look at the "net price" (total cost minus grants/scholarships) rather than just the aid amount. Sometimes a more expensive private school ends up being cheaper than a state school after aid is factored in. Don't let your parents panic yet - wait for the actual packages to arrive before making any decisions. Your SAI gives you a good foundation for substantial aid!

random question but does anyone know if you can use promise scholarship money for books and supplies or just tuition??

This is such valuable information! I'm a new community college student starting this spring and had no idea Promise Scholarships even existed. After reading through all these comments, I'm definitely going to check if my state has a Promise program. It sounds like it could really help cover what my Pell Grant doesn't. Does anyone know if there's a central website that lists which states have Promise Scholarship programs? I've been trying to figure out all my financial aid options and this seems like something I should have applied for already if it's available in my state.

Update: I finally got both twins to add me as a contributor, and I can now see both applications on my dashboard! You were all right - each student has to initiate their own FAFSA and add me, rather than me adding them. The process is working much more smoothly now. Thanks everyone for your help!

I'm going through the exact same process with my daughter and son (they're a year apart but both applying for 2025-2026). One thing I learned the hard way - make sure both twins complete their student portions of the FAFSA BEFORE the priority deadlines for their schools! Even though you'll fill out your contributor section for both, each student needs to submit their individual application by their school's deadline. Some schools have early priority dates in February/March, so don't wait too long for the second twin to get their application started. Also, double-check that both applications show "Submitted" status - I almost missed that my son's was still sitting in "In Progress" even after I completed my contributor portion.

One more thing to consider - if you're denied the PLUS loan due to adverse credit history, your daughter becomes eligible for the additional unsubsidized loan amount, but you could also find someone else (like a grandparent or other relative with good credit) to endorse your PLUS loan application. This is similar to having a co-signer and could allow you to still get the PLUS loan with the federal protections and generally lower interest rates.

I went through something very similar when my husband had a heart attack and we fell behind on bills. Here's what I learned: definitely start with the PLUS appeal first - medical hardship is one of the strongest grounds for reversal. When you call FSA, have all your medical documentation ready (hospital records, disability paperwork, etc.) and a timeline showing how the medical issues directly caused the late payments. If the appeal fails, your daughter automatically gets about $4,000 more in federal unsubsidized loans, which should cover a good chunk of what you need. Only consider Sallie Mae or other private loans for whatever gap remains after maxing out all federal options. The interest rates and lack of protections on private loans are brutal - my neighbor's son is still paying 12% interest on his Sallie Mae loan from 2018! Also check if your daughter's current employers offer any tuition assistance - even small amounts help reduce how much you need to borrow.