Thank you for this information! I'll check the NACAC list and reach out to both schools about possible extensions. This whole process has been so much more stressful than when my older son applied 4 years ago.

I'm dealing with this exact same issue! My son was accepted to 4 schools and 2 of them are being completely vague about 2024-25 costs. What's really frustrating is that one school told me over the phone that they "expect" tuition to increase but couldn't give me even a ballpark figure. Meanwhile, I'm trying to compare actual financial aid packages and make an informed decision. The FAFSA delays have definitely made everything more complicated, but I agree with others here that some schools seem to be using it as an excuse to delay announcing what are probably significant tuition hikes. I've started keeping a spreadsheet of which schools are being transparent vs. which ones are being evasive - it's actually becoming a factor in our decision-making process. Transparency matters, especially when we're talking about potentially taking on debt for the next 4 years. Has anyone had luck getting actual numbers by going through admissions counselors instead of financial aid offices? Sometimes they have more flexibility to share preliminary info.

Glad it worked out! For anyone else encountering this problem, remember these key points about the 2025-2026 FAFSA: 1. Contributors must use "Submit" not "Sign and Exit" 2. Parent/contributor signatures must be completed before the student signs 3. Each person needs their own FSA ID to sign their section 4. If using IRS Data Retrieval, verify the imported data before signing 5. Check for the confirmation email with your SAI number The Department of Education has acknowledged these signature issues and is working on clearer instructions, but these workarounds should help in the meantime.

As someone who just went through this exact same nightmare with my twin daughters' FAFSAs, I can't stress enough how important it is to screenshot EVERYTHING as you go through the process. Save screenshots of each signature confirmation page, the final submission page, and definitely that confirmation email with the SAI numbers. Also, pro tip for anyone still struggling: if you're getting signature errors even after following the Submit vs Sign and Exit advice, try logging out completely and clearing your browser data between each person's signature. The FAFSA system seems to get confused when multiple FSA IDs are used on the same device/browser session. We had to do this dance three times before it finally worked, but having those screenshots saved us from having to re-enter financial data when we had to restart. Congrats Charlotte on getting it sorted! The stress of these deadlines is no joke.

Don't give up! Here's a practical approach: 1. Focus first on schools with rolling admissions - they're most flexible 2. Community colleges and state universities often have better processes for mid-year enrollment 3. Submit your 2024-2025 FAFSA immediately if you haven't already 4. Call financial aid offices directly (not general admissions) and ask specifically about January intake 5. Be prepared with your SAI from your FAFSA confirmation 6. Ask about institutional scholarships or grants specifically for spring admits I've helped several students navigate mid-year transfers, and while it's more work, it's definitely possible to get financial aid for January. The key is starting the process now since some priority deadlines for spring are approaching.

I'm actually in a similar situation right now! From what I've learned so far, most state schools do accept FAFSA for January intake, but the tricky part is that some have already allocated most of their aid for the academic year by then. I've been making a list of schools that specifically mention spring enrollment on their websites - it's been really helpful to filter out the ones that clearly don't offer it. One tip I got was to also look into schools that have multiple start dates throughout the year, not just fall/spring. Some have accelerated programs or trimester systems that might work better for mid-year applicants. Have you considered looking at online programs too? I know it's not ideal, but some schools offer the same financial aid for online students and you could potentially transfer to on-campus later.

Just want to clarify something important for the 2025-2026 FAFSA: Make sure both you and your son have separate email addresses for your FSA IDs. In previous years, parents and students could use the same email, but with the new FAFSA simplification changes, everyone needs their own unique email address. This has been causing a lot of confusion for families.

That's great news that you got your verification and the contributor invitation! Just a heads up - when you're filling out your parent section, make sure you have your tax information handy (either your 2023 tax return or W-2s). The new FAFSA tries to pull some info directly from the IRS, but it doesn't always work smoothly. Also, save your progress frequently as you go - the system can time out if you're idle too long. Good luck finishing it up before that deadline!

After you speak with the financial aid office, make sure to get any corrections or updates in writing. Request an updated aid letter that clearly shows all components including the Pell Grant if you're eligible. This documentation will be important if there are any issues later in the disbursement process.

That's fantastic news! I'm so glad you were able to get through and get it resolved. It's great that you'll be receiving both grants - that makes a huge difference financially. Thanks for updating us on the outcome too - it's really helpful for other parents who might run into the same issue to know that persistence pays off and these errors can definitely be fixed!