I just checked with mom and she definitely gets SSDI, not SSI. She says she can log into her Social Security account to get the information. Thank you so much for all the help! I feel much better about starting my FAFSA application now.

Great to hear you're feeling more confident about the process! Just wanted to add one more tip - when you're filling out the FAFSA, take your time with the disability income section and double-check the numbers against your mom's SSA-1099. Also, if you run into any technical issues with the FAFSA website (which happens more often than it should), don't panic - you can always save your progress and come back to it later. The system saves automatically as you go. Good luck with your application, and remember that having parents on disability often means you'll qualify for good aid packages!

when ur comparing loans make sure ur looking at the APR not just the interest rate. my sallie mae loan said 9.5% interest but the APR was actually like 11% cuz of all the fees they tacked on. didn't realize till after i signed :/

I just went through this exact process 6 months ago and here's what I wish someone had told me upfront: create a spreadsheet to track ALL the details from each lender. Include columns for interest rate, APR, origination fees, monthly payment estimates, deferment options, and any special benefits. Also, don't just apply to one lender at a time - most let you get rate quotes with soft credit pulls that won't hurt your score. I applied to 6 different lenders in one week and was shocked at the range of offers I got (from 6.8% to 12.4% for the same loan amount). One thing that really helped me was calling each lender's customer service line before applying to ask specific questions about their hardship programs and repayment flexibility. The quality of their answers told me a lot about how they'd treat me as a borrower. Given your timeline, I'd start with Credible today to get multiple quotes at once, then dive deeper into the 3-4 best options. With 3 weeks left, you have enough time to be thorough but not enough to procrastinate!

Yes! They gave me a case number and also sent an email confirmation of the changes. The financial aid officer at my daughter's school said these pension calculation errors are happening a lot this year, so they're processing adjustments pretty quickly once the corrected SAI comes through.

So glad you got it resolved, Liam! This gives me hope for my own situation. I'm dealing with a similar issue where FAFSA counted my husband's entire IRA balance as income instead of just the required minimum distribution we actually took. Did you have to provide any specific documentation beyond your 1099-R, or was the phone conversation enough to get the correction started? I'm preparing to call them next week and want to make sure I have everything ready.

Thank you all for the helpful advice. We're going to gather all the documentation (death certificate, guardianship papers, statement about absent father) and have it ready for verification. We'll also consider using that Claimyr service to speak directly with FSA before submitting. It's a relief to know he should qualify as independent - that will really help with his college options. We appreciate everyone sharing their experiences and knowledge!

I'm a financial aid counselor and want to emphasize something important that hasn't been mentioned yet - when your grandson files as independent, he'll need to report HIS income and assets on the FAFSA, not yours as guardians. This is often overlooked but crucial. If he has savings accounts, investment accounts, or significant income from work, these will still impact his aid eligibility. However, since he's likely a typical high school student with minimal assets, his Expected Family Contribution should still be very low. Also, make sure he understands that independent status means HE is responsible for the FAFSA renewal each year - not you as guardians. Many families don't realize this transition of responsibility.

One more thing to consider - the 2025-2026 FAFSA will require you to report real estate and business assets differently than previous years under the redesigned SAI formula. If you own property beyond your primary residence or have business interests, start gathering that documentation now. The calculations for the Student Aid Index now weigh these assets differently. December 1st is a good filing date though - not too early but well ahead of many school priority deadlines.

As someone who just went through this process last year, I'd definitely recommend creating your FSA IDs now! I was nervous about the same thing but it worked out perfectly. One tip that saved me - when you create the accounts, immediately log out and then log back in to make sure everything works. I also took screenshots of the confirmation pages just in case. The verification usually happens instantly if your info matches Social Security records, but sometimes it can take a few days if there are any discrepancies. Having everything set up early gave me peace of mind and made the actual FAFSA filing on December 1st much less stressful. Good luck with your first time - you've got this!