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Have you tried creating a new FSA ID for yourself and starting over? Sometimes that works when there's a corrupt account issue. Just make sure to document your current FSA ID info before creating a new one. For the Professional Judgment requests for both children, make sure you're using the exact terminology each school requires. Some call it "Special Circumstances Appeal" while others use "Income Adjustment Request" or "Professional Judgment Review." Each school's financial aid office will have slightly different forms and processes.
I hadn't considered creating a new FSA ID - I was worried it might create more issues if I have two accounts. Do you know if that would affect my high school senior's already-completed application? They're linked under my parent account currently.
One final important suggestion - if you can't resolve the technical issue quickly, contact your sophomore's school financial aid office DIRECTLY. Explain the technical problem with FAFSA, and ask if they can process a provisional financial aid package based on last year's information while you resolve the FAFSA issues. Many schools have emergency procedures for FAFSA technical problems, especially when they're this close to the semester starting. They may be able to extend payment deadlines or offer an emergency loan until the FAFSA is processed. This won't solve the long-term issue, but it could prevent registration or housing problems in the immediate term.
This is brilliant advice I hadn't thought of! Her tuition payment is due in 2 weeks, so I'll call the financial aid office tomorrow morning to see if they can offer any provisional solutions while we sort out this FAFSA mess. Thank you so much!
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be careful with the professional judgment stuff!!!! my cousin did this and still got denied aid because the school decided they had too much money in savings even though they couldn't use the tax return method. the whole system is designed to deny people money i swear
While it's true that professional judgment can result in a less favorable outcome in some cases, it's important to note that schools are required to follow federal guidelines. Assets (including savings) are considered in the standard formula too, so this wasn't unique to professional judgment. Each case is different based on the family's full financial picture.
Thank you all for the helpful advice! I'm going to: 1. Have my spouse proceed with the certificate if we decide it's worthwhile 2. Submit the FAFSA for 2025-2026 as completely as possible 3. Contact the financial aid office at the degree program school immediately after 4. Prepare all our immigration documents, current income info, and a written explanation 5. Use Claimyr to reach FSA if I need official clarification I feel much more confident now! I'll update this thread after we go through the process in case it helps other recent immigrants.
This sounds like a solid plan! One more tip: keep detailed records of all communication with both FSA and the school's financial aid office. Names, dates, what was discussed, etc. It can be really helpful if you need to follow up or if there are any discrepancies later.
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One thing no one mentioned - if you get denied for the Parent PLUS loan due to adverse credit history, YOUR DAUGHTER automatically becomes eligible for additional unsubsidized student loans in her own name. This is actually a strategy some families use intentionally. The additional amount is usually $4,000-$5,000 per year depending on her year in school.
That's interesting - I have decent credit but that's good to know as an option. Would she have to submit some kind of appeal to get those additional unsubsidized loans, or is it automatic?
If you're denied, the school's financial aid office will automatically offer her the additional unsubsidized loans. She would just need to accept them through her financial aid portal. No appeal needed - it's an automatic eligibility adjustment.
There's one more option I forgot to mention in my first response - you can also bring an endorser (like a co-signer) if you're denied for the Parent PLUS loan but still want to pursue it. The endorser can't be the student, but could be another relative with better credit. If you go this route, you'll also need to complete PLUS credit counseling on studentaid.gov.
Thank you again! I think my credit should be okay, but it's good to know all the options. I'm going to start the application tonight. Fingers crossed the process goes smoothly!
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UPDATE: I just got my SAI this morning! Exactly 5 weeks and 4 days after submitting. For anyone else waiting - hang in there, it does eventually come through. I also emailed my school's financial aid office like someone suggested and they confirmed they're being flexible with the priority deadlines this year because of the FAFSA delays.
congrats! was your SAI what you expected or was it way different? mine was higher than i thought it would be
It was actually lower than I expected, which is good news for aid eligibility! About $2,800 less than the estimate I got from the Federal Student Aid calculator. Not sure why there's a difference but I'm not complaining.
My neighbor works in a financial aid office and she said they're telling students to expect 6-8 weeks for processing this year. Something about the new "FAFSA Simplification" actually making everything more complicated on the backend for now lol. Classic government program right? Make it "simpler" and it breaks everything
There is some truth to this. While the new FAFSA is simplified for students in many ways (fewer questions, more data directly imported from the IRS), the calculation changes and backend systems required significant overhauls. The Department of Education had to essentially rebuild their entire processing system. The growing pains are unfortunately affecting this year's applicants.
Ella Cofer
doesnt FAFSA give u free money tho? why u gotta pay it back???
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Miguel Harvey
•FAFSA is just the application form (Free Application for Federal Student Aid), not the money itself. After you complete the FAFSA, schools use that info to create a financial aid package which can include: - Grants (like Pell Grants) - free money you don't repay - Work-study - money earned through part-time campus jobs - Loans - borrowed money you do have to repay The OP is talking specifically about the loan portion of their daughter's aid package.
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Kevin Bell
Something else to consider: if your daughter takes out the loans herself, it gives her skin in the game and financial responsibility. My son had his subsidized/unsubsidized loans in his name, and knowing he was responsible for them kept him focused on graduating on time. I also made a deal with him that if he maintained above a 3.5 GPA and graduated in 4 years, I'd help with payments. Worked out great as an incentive, and he finished cum laude in 3.5 years to save money. Student loans in her name won't ruin her future if the total amount is reasonable for her career path. Nursing starting salaries are typically $60-75k depending on location, so standard federal loan amounts should be manageable.
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Finnegan Gunn
•I like that approach of having her take responsibility while offering an incentive for good performance. That might work well for our situation. My daughter is pretty responsible already, but having that financial stake might make her even more focused.
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