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One more thing to consider - even if your son gets accepted as a transfer student for fall, he might want to compare financial aid packages between his current school and potential new schools. Since you've already completed FAFSA, you'll be able to compare offers. Just make sure when adding the new school codes that you select to have your FAFSA information sent to them - it doesn't happen automatically just by adding them. Also, if he's considering State University, their transfer application deadline for fall was actually extended to June 15th this year (they normally close earlier). I know because my nephew just applied there as a transfer.
There's one critical point no one has mentioned yet. When you log into studentaid.gov to add more schools to your son's FAFSA, make sure you're updating the correct aid year (2024-2025). I've seen many parents accidentally modify the wrong year when making changes. Also, since your son will be transferring as a sophomore, make sure he understands how credit transfers work. Not all credits transfer equally between institutions, and this could potentially extend his time to graduation which has significant financial implications.
also tell her to check if schools need the CSS Profile too not just FAFSA!!!! my kid missed out on aid from NYU cuz we didnt know they needed both smh
This is absolutely crucial advice. Many private schools and some public universities require both the FAFSA and CSS Profile. The CSS Profile is more detailed and lets schools use their own methodology for calculating aid. Even with a -1500 SAI, missing the CSS Profile deadline could mean losing out on significant institutional aid at schools that require it.
Update: So we asked about CSS Profile requirements and are checking each school's website for their specific forms. I also had her email all the financial aid offices to confirm they received her FAFSA with the correct SAI. Thanks everyone for your help! This is all so new to us.
Great steps! One more thing worth checking: some schools have special scholarships specifically for first-generation college students. Since you mentioned her daughter is first-gen, make sure she's applying for those opportunities as well. Sometimes these are separate applications with different deadlines from the general financial aid process.
THIS SYSTEM IS SO BROKEN!! Why should students have to jump through 500 hoops just to get the loans they QUALIFY FOR?? My blood pressure goes up just thinking about my experience with this exact situation. The financial aid office acts like they're doing you a favor by processing your loans. IT'S LITERALLY THEIR JOB!!! Sorry for the rant but seriously - be prepared to be very persistent and don't take no for an answer.
One more thing - since we're already in July, ask specifically about their emergency loan programs too. Many schools offer short-term emergency loans to bridge the gap while federal aid is processing. This could help cover initial expenses until the federal loans come through. Also, double-check that your daughter doesn't have any holds on her account (library fines, parking tickets, etc.) as these can delay financial aid processing.
my school has this thing were u can become a RA mid year if someone quits and it covers housing right away!! maybe ur school has that? also check with ur states higher ed department becuz some states have emergency grants for college students that arent through the school
One more suggestion - consider taking one fewer class if possible. If you drop from 15 credits to 12 (still full-time for financial aid purposes), you might save enough to make your current funds stretch. Then you can make up that class in summer when you hopefully have more scholarship money lined up. I did this my sophomore year and it saved me about $1,800.
Brooklyn Foley
My daughter applied on Nov 15 for 2024-2025 and we finally got the SAI calculation yesterday. So about 6 weeks total. The new system is definitely having issues but hang in there.
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Elijah Knight
•Thanks for letting me know! I guess I need to be more patient. Did you have to submit any additional documents for verification after you got the SAI?
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Brooklyn Foley
We didn't have to submit additional verification docs to FSA, but her college did request proof of income separate from FAFSA. Every school seems to be handling the new system differently.
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Elijah Knight
•Good to know! I'll keep an eye out for emails from my school too. This whole process is so confusing.
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