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My daughter applied on Nov 15 for 2024-2025 and we finally got the SAI calculation yesterday. So about 6 weeks total. The new system is definitely having issues but hang in there.
One more thing to consider - even if your son gets accepted as a transfer student for fall, he might want to compare financial aid packages between his current school and potential new schools. Since you've already completed FAFSA, you'll be able to compare offers. Just make sure when adding the new school codes that you select to have your FAFSA information sent to them - it doesn't happen automatically just by adding them. Also, if he's considering State University, their transfer application deadline for fall was actually extended to June 15th this year (they normally close earlier). I know because my nephew just applied there as a transfer.
There's one critical point no one has mentioned yet. When you log into studentaid.gov to add more schools to your son's FAFSA, make sure you're updating the correct aid year (2024-2025). I've seen many parents accidentally modify the wrong year when making changes. Also, since your son will be transferring as a sophomore, make sure he understands how credit transfers work. Not all credits transfer equally between institutions, and this could potentially extend his time to graduation which has significant financial implications.
The impact of the SAI vs. EFC change depends on your specific financial situation. Generally: - Middle-income families with multiple children in college may see LESS aid (the "sibling discount" was reduced) - Lower-income families may see MORE aid due to increased income protection allowances - Families with more complex financial situations (divorce, multiple contributors) might see significant changes either way Since you mentioned being on the edge of qualifying, I'd recommend using one of the new FAFSA forecasting tools to estimate your SAI before submitting. The Federal Student Aid website has resources, or you can use tools from organizations like SwiftStudent or the College Board.
btw i heard they changed the name from EFC to SAI cuz too many parents thought "estimated family contribution" meant that was all they had to pay for college lol. now its just a number that doesnt mean anything specific
When I finally got through to someone at the financial aid office, they told me the CSS profile is just a starting point and we'd have a chance to explain our specific financial situation after submitting. That made me feel better about the whole thing.
To address your concern about timing: most schools will send preliminary aid offers with your ED acceptance letter in mid-December. You'll typically have until May 1st to make your final decision, and schools understand that financial aid is a crucial factor. If the package is truly unworkable for your family, you can appeal or potentially be released from the ED commitment. For the CSS Profile specifically, just make sure you're reporting information exactly as it appears on your tax documents. For your rental property loss, enter it as a negative number. And don't forget to report the property value in the assets section as well. The most important thing is consistency with your tax returns.
PixelPioneer
does anyone know if the same rules apply for the CSS Profile too? my daughters school requires both fafsa and css profile and im confused about which parent info goes where
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Paolo Rizzo
•CSS Profile has different rules! For CSS, many schools want information from all parents - biological and step - regardless of who has legal responsibility. Some CSS schools even require the non-custodial biological parent's information. It's best to check with each specific school about their CSS requirements, as they can vary significantly.
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Connor Byrne
Thank you all so much for the helpful advice! I'm going to start collecting all these documents now and will try to get through to FSA with that Claimyr service someone mentioned. I'll also reach out to all the schools my son is applying to about their specific requirements. It sounds like I'm in for a paperwork marathon, but at least I have a clearer picture of what to do now. Really appreciate everyone sharing their experiences!
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