Thank you all for the helpful advice! I'm going to wait 3-5 business days to see if the tax information imports correctly. I'll make sure to save my progress but won't submit until everything is complete. If it doesn't import after 5 days, I'll contact Federal Student Aid (and maybe try that Claimyr service if I can't get through). I appreciate everyone sharing their experiences - this is my first time filling out FAFSA and it's more complicated than I expected!

That sounds like a solid plan! Just wanted to add that you can check the status of your tax data import by logging back into your FAFSA and looking at the "My FAFSA" page - there should be a status indicator showing whether the tax information is still pending or has been successfully imported. Also, don't stress too much about this being your first FAFSA - the process has gotten more streamlined over the years, and the automatic tax import actually makes things easier once it works. You're doing everything right by being cautious and asking questions!

One last thing to consider - some employers will hire you with the RHIT and then promote you once you earn the RHIA. If you can find an employer like that, you might be able to work in your field while taking just 1-2 classes at a time, paying as you go. It would take longer to finish the bachelor's, but would solve the immediate funding crisis. Look specifically for healthcare systems with career ladder programs for HIM professionals.

Don't give up hope! I was in a similar situation with my nursing degree and found a few options that really helped. First, check if your state has any loan forgiveness programs for healthcare workers - many states offer partial loan forgiveness if you work in underserved areas or certain healthcare facilities after graduation. Second, look into income-driven repayment plans for your existing loans to free up more cash flow for paying out-of-pocket. And third, consider reaching out to AHIMA chapters in your area - they sometimes know about local scholarships or grants that aren't widely advertised. The healthcare field really needs skilled HIM professionals, so there are often resources available that aren't immediately obvious. Keep pushing forward - the RHIA will definitely be worth it for your career!

Thank you everyone for the helpful information! I called FSA using that Claimyr service someone mentioned above and actually got through to a real person in about 10 minutes. They confirmed that adoption subsidies are NOT reported as income on the FAFSA. They're classified as means-tested benefits which are excluded from the SAI calculation. They also explained that this is different from the Adoption Tax Credit (which does impact my AGI on taxes but is already factored into the tax return numbers I'll use for FAFSA). What a relief to have this clarified! Now I can finish up our application with confidence.

This is such a helpful thread! I'm in a similar situation with my adopted daughter and have been stressed about the FAFSA for months. It's reassuring to see that multiple people have confirmed adoption subsidies don't count as income. The fact that you got official confirmation from FSA makes me feel much more confident about leaving those payments off our form. Thanks for sharing your experience and the resolution!

Oh and don't forget to check if your school has an installment payment plan! Mine let me spread out the remaining balance (after scholarships and loans) over 4 payments each semester. That might help reduce how much you need to borrow overall.

Just wanted to add one more thing that might help - if your grandmother does end up co-signing a private loan, make sure to compare rates from multiple lenders. I've seen cases where retirees actually get better rates with credit unions than big banks, especially if your grandmother has been a long-time member somewhere. Also, some lenders offer rate discounts for setting up autopay, which could save you money over the life of the loan. But definitely try the Parent PLUS denial route first to get those extra federal loans - that's your best bet for getting the most favorable terms!

That's a really good point I hadn't considered. I'll definitely keep this in mind when we file his 2024 taxes. Thank you for all the helpful information!

Just want to add another perspective as someone who works in financial aid - the confusion around the new FAFSA timeline is totally understandable! You're absolutely right that for 2025-2026, you'll use 2023 tax info, and since your son's grants/scholarships were received in 2024, they won't impact that FAFSA at all. One tip: when you do file the 2025-2026 FAFSA, make sure to double-check that you're entering your son's 2023 income correctly (from his summer job). A lot of families accidentally put $0 for student income when the student did work that year, which can trigger verification if the IRS data doesn't match. Also, keep all your 2023 tax documents organized - the new FAFSA pulls most info directly from the IRS, but you might still need them for verification or if there are any discrepancies. Good luck with the process!