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!

For anyone dealing with this issue: document everything. Take screenshots of submission confirmations, save all emails, and note the dates of any calls or attempts to resolve the issue. If your aid is delayed because of FAFSA processing problems beyond your control, having this documentation can help your school's financial aid office work with you on deadline extensions.

As someone who just went through this exact situation last month, I can confirm that the signature issue after corrections is super common but fixable! The key thing to remember is that ANY change to your FAFSA invalidates all previous signatures - even if the person didn't make the actual correction. So if you corrected income info, both you AND your parent need to sign again. Log into studentaid.gov, go to your FAFSA, and look for the "Sign & Submit" section. You'll probably see that one signature is missing. Once you get both signatures in, it should process within a week. Also, definitely email your financial aid office to give them a heads up about the delay - they're usually understanding about FAFSA processing issues that are out of your control.

When my daughter was in this situation, we had to make the tough choice between her dream out-of-state school and the affordable in-state option. She chose the affordable route and honestly? BEST DECISION EVER. She graduated with minimal debt and is now in her dream graduate program. Not saying your son should give up his dream school, but don't discount the extreme financial burden of that $10K gap EVERY YEAR for four years. That's $40K+ with interest if you're borrowing. Sometimes the practical choice sets them up for better long-term success and graduate school options.

As someone who works in higher education, I want to add a few more resources that might help bridge that gap: 1. Check if the university offers emergency or bridge loans - these are short-term, low-interest loans specifically for situations like yours while waiting on scholarship decisions 2. Look into cooperative education (co-op) programs in engineering - many allow students to alternate semesters of study with paid work experience, which can significantly offset costs 3. Contact the engineering department directly about research assistantships or tutoring positions - these often come with tuition remission or stipends 4. Some universities have "completion grants" or "retention scholarships" that aren't widely advertised but are available for students who might not enroll due to small funding gaps 5. Consider reaching out to alumni networks in your area - many have informal scholarship programs or mentorship opportunities that include financial support The timing is frustrating, but don't lose hope! Many families piece together funding from multiple sources, and engineering programs often have more departmental funding available than other majors. Keep advocating for your son - the squeaky wheel often gets the grease in financial aid offices.

update us on what happens!! i hope ur daughter gets some help with this situation!!

I'm so sorry this happened to your daughter - what a devastating betrayal of trust. While others have given great advice about emergency funds and legal options, I wanted to mention that she should also consider contacting her state's consumer protection agency or attorney general's office. Some states have specific protections for educational loan misuse, especially when there's documented evidence of the intended purpose. Also, if she has any joint accounts or financial ties with her father, she should consider protecting those immediately. Sometimes parents who misuse education funds will also access other shared financial resources. The fact that he's flaunting the boat purchase on social media while his daughter faces homelessness is particularly egregious - make sure she screenshots those posts as potential evidence. I really hope the Dean of Students and financial aid office can provide some emergency relief tomorrow!