Just wanted to follow up - were you able to add State University using the separate Add/Delete School Code function? If that's still not working, call the school's financial aid office directly and explain the situation. They deal with this all the time and can usually help you out. For future reference, you can add up to 10 schools initially and then swap them out for others later if needed.

Great to hear you got it sorted out! For future students who might run into this same issue, I wanted to add that timing can really matter with FAFSA school additions. Even though the Add/Delete School Code function works during processing, it's still best to include all your potential schools on your initial submission if possible. Some schools have earlier priority deadlines than others, and every day can count when it comes to aid packaging. Also, don't forget that you can always remove schools later if you decide not to apply there - better to include too many initially than to stress about adding them later!

My situation is a bit diffrent but maybe helpful - we have a working farm but it's owned by an LLC with my husband and his brother as 50/50 owners. FSA told us we report just my husband's 50% ownership value (minus debt) under the business/farm section, NOT under real estate investments. But all personal checking accounts (including the one we use for our share of farm income) had to be reported in full.

Just wanted to add my experience as someone who went through this exact situation last year! We have a small cattle ranch where we live on the property and do all the work ourselves. After reading through all the responses here, I can confirm that @Dananyl Lear and @Carmella Popescu are giving accurate advice. The three-part test is key: if you live on the farm/ranch property, actively participate in operations, and have fewer than 100 employees, the property value is excluded from FAFSA reporting. But ALL bank accounts must be included, even dedicated farm accounts. One tip I learned the hard way: keep detailed records of your farm operation to prove active participation if you're ever selected for verification. We had to provide documentation showing we weren't just passive landowners. Also, if you're unsure about anything, definitely call FSA directly rather than guessing - the stakes are too high for college funding!

As someone who went through this exact situation two years ago, I want to echo what everyone else has said about being proactive and thorough with documentation. My dad received a workers' comp settlement during my sophomore year, and initially it looked like it would completely eliminate our financial aid. However, we were able to get adjustments from most of my schools by following many of the strategies mentioned here. One thing I'd add that really helped us was creating a simple timeline document showing my dad's injury date, surgery dates, time off work, and when bills were incurred versus when the settlement was received. This visual timeline made it crystal clear to financial aid officers that the settlement was compensating for past losses, not providing extra income for future expenses. Also, don't underestimate the power of a polite but persistent follow-up - I had to email some schools multiple times, but it was worth it. The financial aid system isn't perfect, but there are people within it who genuinely want to help when they understand your situation. Keep advocating for yourself!

As a newcomer to this community, I'm incredibly grateful to have found this comprehensive discussion! My family is facing a very similar situation with my father's pending workers' compensation settlement, and I was feeling completely lost about how to handle the FAFSA implications. Reading through all the expert advice and real-world experiences shared here has been invaluable. I'm particularly struck by the emphasis on proactive communication with financial aid offices and the importance of detailed documentation from attorneys. The timeline approach that Chloe mentioned sounds like an excellent way to present our case clearly. I'm planning to start gathering all medical records, wage loss documentation, and correspondence with my dad's attorney right away. It's so reassuring to know that with the right preparation and persistence, families have successfully navigated this challenge and obtained meaningful financial aid adjustments. Thank you all for sharing such practical, actionable advice - this thread is going to be my roadmap through this process!

This has been such an educational thread to read as someone completely new to the college financial aid world! I'm amazed by Oliver's success story - saving $12K annually just by making that phone call really demonstrates how much is possible when you know the right questions to ask. As a newcomer, I had no idea that universities offered these separate institutional scholarships and sibling discount programs that operate independently from federal aid. I'm definitely taking notes on all the practical strategies shared here: calling financial aid offices directly rather than just relying on what's posted online, asking specifically about family grants and sibling discounts, and being persistent in advocating for special circumstances. It's disappointing that these programs aren't more transparently advertised, but I'm so grateful for supportive communities like this where families share real-world strategies that actually work. My own kids will be approaching college age soon, and this discussion has completely transformed my understanding of the financial aid landscape. Instead of just accepting whatever the initial FAFSA results show, I now know there's a whole world of institutional aid to explore. Thank you everyone for sharing your experiences so generously - you're making what seemed like an impossible financial challenge much more manageable for families like mine!

This thread has been absolutely incredible to read as someone brand new to the FAFSA and college financial aid process! Oliver's success story about securing that 20% sibling discount and saving $12K annually is truly inspiring - it really shows how much families can achieve when they know to advocate for themselves beyond the initial federal aid package. As a complete newcomer, I had no clue that universities have these separate institutional scholarship programs and sibling discounts that aren't advertised prominently. The consistent advice here about calling financial aid offices directly rather than just accepting what's posted online is such valuable insight that I never would have thought of on my own. I'm definitely bookmarking this entire discussion because the practical strategies shared here - asking specifically about family grants, sibling discounts, and special circumstance appeals - are pure gold for families like mine who are just starting to navigate this complex system. It's frustrating that these programs are so hidden, but I'm grateful for communities like this where real families share what actually works. My kids are still a few years away from college, but this conversation has completely changed my approach to financial aid planning. Instead of just hoping federal aid will cover everything, I now know there's a whole world of institutional opportunities to explore. Thank you everyone for being so generous with your experiences - you're making this overwhelming process much more manageable for newcomers like me!

As a financial aid counselor who's helped hundreds of families through this process, I wanted to add a few things that often get overlooked. First, make sure you understand the difference between "priority" and "final" deadlines for financial aid. Many Florida schools have priority deadlines in January but will still accept FAFSA submissions until June - however, you'll miss out on the best aid packages if you wait. Also, consider running your family's financial information through the Federal Student Aid Estimator (studentaid.gov/aid-estimator) this summer to get a rough idea of your Expected Family Contribution. This will help you set realistic expectations and maybe identify if there are any financial moves you should make before filing your 2024 taxes (which will be used for the 2026-2027 FAFSA when your son is a sophomore). One more thing - if your family has any unusual financial circumstances (job loss, medical expenses, divorce, etc.), document everything. Schools can make professional judgment adjustments to your aid package, but you need to provide thorough documentation. Start gathering those records now if applicable. You're doing great by starting early! The families who plan ahead always have better outcomes.

Wow, this thread has been incredibly informative! As someone just starting to navigate this process with my junior in high school, I'm feeling both more prepared and slightly overwhelmed by all the different components - FAFSA, CSS Profile, state grants, merit scholarships, department-specific aid, and all these various deadlines. I'm definitely going to start implementing some of these suggestions right away, especially creating that shared spreadsheet with my daughter and setting up the dedicated email folder. The tip about using personal emails for FSA IDs instead of school emails is something I never would have thought of but makes total sense. One question I have that I didn't see addressed - for families like mine where we might be right on the borderline for aid eligibility, is it worth consulting with a financial planner who specializes in college funding strategies? Or are there specific resources you'd recommend for middle-income families who might not qualify for need-based aid but still need help making college affordable? Thanks to everyone who's shared their experiences and expertise here. This community is such a valuable resource for navigating what feels like an incredibly complex process!