UPDATE: My nephew went to the financial aid office this morning and they were incredibly helpful! They're processing an emergency aid package that will cover his first semester while we sort out the FAFSA issues. They also helped him call FSA using their direct line, and it turns out his paper application was received but had been flagged for additional verification because of the missing SSN. The financial aid staff are helping expedite this process. THANK YOU all for your advice - especially about going directly to the financial aid office. They really did have solutions we didn't know about!

This is such a relief to hear! Your nephew is so lucky to have you advocating for him through this stressful situation. The emergency aid package is a perfect solution while waiting for the FAFSA mess to get sorted out. It's really encouraging to see how the financial aid office stepped up - they deal with these SSN contributor issues way more than most people realize. Hopefully this will help other students in similar situations know that there ARE options available even when the federal system seems to be failing them. Best of luck with the rest of the process!

I think everyone should be calling Congress about these ridiculous college costs instead of going into debt! In the 80s my parents paid my tuition from their regular salaries. Now we're all talking about taking out MASSIVE loans like it's normal. It's not normal!!!

As someone who works in financial aid administration, I want to add a few key points that might help with your decision: 1. **Appeal Process**: Definitely call the financial aid office as others suggested, but also submit a formal appeal in writing if your family's financial situation has changed since filing FAFSA (job loss, medical expenses, etc.). Many schools have additional institutional aid they can award through appeals. 2. **State-specific programs**: Check if your state offers any grant programs for residents attending in-state schools that you might have missed. Some have later deadlines or supplemental applications. 3. **Payment plan options**: Many schools offer interest-free monthly payment plans that can help spread costs over 10-12 months instead of taking loans. This might reduce how much you need to borrow. 4. **Tax benefits**: Don't forget about the American Opportunity Tax Credit (up to $2,500/year) and potential state tax deductions for college expenses - these can offset some costs. Given your situation, I'd suggest: maximize her Direct loans first ($5,500), explore private loans with you as cosigner for better rates, and use Parent PLUS only as a last resort due to the higher rates and fees. The key is keeping total debt reasonable across all four years - engineering programs often require 5 years, so plan accordingly!

UPDATE: I finally got it working! After trying literally everything suggested here, what finally worked was: 1. Had my stepdad create a brand new FSA ID (even though his old one worked fine for the initial application) 2. Logged in at 3:15am when the system was quiet 3. Went through the "View Processed Information" route instead of the regular correction path 4. Used Chrome in incognito mode with all extensions disabled The signature button finally actually DID something! Got the confirmation email 10 minutes later. Thanks everyone for the help - this system is such a nightmare. For anyone else with this issue, try creating a new FSA ID for your contributor!

Wow, creating a new FSA ID to fix the signature issue - that's such a random but brilliant solution! I'm dealing with a similar problem right now where my mom's signature isn't working after we corrected some tax info. The button just sits there doing nothing no matter what browser or device we use. Going to try your exact steps tonight: new FSA ID for her, 3am login, "View Processed Information" route, and Chrome incognito. Fingers crossed this nightmare finally ends! Thanks for coming back to share what actually worked - you're a lifesaver for posting the solution after you figured it out.

Update: So what happened?? Did the school fix the scholarship or are you stuck with the higher amount?

That's fantastic news! So glad you fought for what was rightfully yours and that the school honored their written commitment. This is such a great example of why it's crucial to get everything in writing when dealing with financial aid - and why parents shouldn't back down when schools try to pull a bait-and-switch after commitment deadlines. Your persistence paid off and hopefully this helps other families in similar situations know they have recourse when schools don't honor their written agreements. Congrats to your son!

Good steps! When you speak with them again, be very specific about the financial gap and what you need. Sometimes saying

Hey MoonlightSonata! I'm glad you took action and called Fairfield's financial aid office. That shows real maturity in handling this stressful situation. While you're waiting to hear back from them, I'd also suggest reaching out to your other accepted schools ASAP - not just your second choice. Sometimes schools have additional aid available later in the cycle as other students decline their offers. Also, don't forget to ask about payment plans or work-study opportunities that might help bridge any remaining gap. You're absolutely making the right moves by exploring all your options before committing to a financial burden that could impact you for years. Keep us posted on how things develop!