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Just want to add - sometimes the FSA system shows that verification is needed even when it really isn't! It's worth checking your actual SAI (Student Aid Index) number on your dashboard. If you have an SAI displayed, that means your application was actually processed despite the verification notice.
Everyone here is overthinking this. Just submit the FAFSA without the parent info and then add it later. That's what I did and it worked fine.
This is incorrect advice. Submitting without required parent information will flag your application as incomplete, and many schools won't consider incomplete applications for priority deadlines. Please don't follow this suggestion as it could jeopardize your financial aid package.
has anyone else noticed that the work study amounts are getting ridiculously low?? $675 a year is like what, 2 hours of work per week?? how is that even helpful
You're right about the amounts getting smaller. Many schools are spreading their federal work-study allocation among more students, resulting in those tiny awards. The $675 award likely means about 2 hours per week at minimum wage. The strategy is that once a student is in the work-study program, departments can often increase their hours beyond the initial award if funds are available later in the year. It's basically getting a foot in the door for campus employment.
Update: We called Crestview's financial aid office this morning. They explained that their institutional policy is to only offer subsidized loans to students with SAIs below 12,000, and since ours is 13,245, we didn't qualify. They said their work-study funds had already been allocated to students with greater financial need. So mystery solved! We're now weighing whether the interest savings at Westlake (about $4,500 over 4 years) is worth choosing it over Crestview, which my daughter preferred academically. Thanks everyone for your help!
Thanks for updating us! This confirms what many of us suspected - different institutional policies for the same federal programs. For your decision, consider asking Crestview if they offer any merit scholarships your daughter might qualify for. Sometimes those can offset the difference in loan types. Also, remember that a student can accept partial loan amounts - she doesn't have to take the full unsubsidized loan offered if you can cover some costs another way.
Typical bureaucratic nonsense. "Sorry, you missed our arbitrary cutoff by $1,245 so no interest-free loans for you!" I'd still push back and see if they'll make an exception. Sometimes they have discretionary funds they don't tell you about unless you specifically ask. Good luck!
Anyone else notice that the SAI calculation seems way off this year? My daughter's expected contribution is almost $4000 higher than last year even though our income only went up by like $2000. Makes no sense.
The 2025-26 FAFSA uses a completely revised formula called the Student Aid Index (SAI) rather than the old Expected Family Contribution (EFC). The new calculation places different weights on income thresholds, asset protection allowances, and family size adjustments. Even small income increases can create disproportionate changes in the final index number. If you believe there's a specific calculation error rather than just the new formula producing different results, you should request an SAI recalculation review directly with your financial aid office.
UPDATE: We just received my daughter's official aid package from her school, and it matched what the FAFSA portal was showing once our correction went through! She qualified for a full Pell Grant plus state aid. Such a massive relief after all this stress. For anyone still struggling - DON'T GIVE UP! Keep pushing and trying different approaches!
thats awesome!! fingers crossed we get the same result. still waiting on our final calculation 😬
One important detail that hasn't been mentioned yet: your daughter should also check if any of her schools require the CSS Profile in addition to the FAFSA. Many private colleges use both forms to determine aid. The CSS Profile goes through College Board (not studentaid.gov) and asks for more detailed financial information. If she hasn't completed that for schools that require it, her financial aid packages could be delayed or incomplete.
Yes, schools typically notify students if they require the CSS Profile, but these notifications can sometimes end up in spam folders or get overlooked in the flood of college emails. The good news is that many schools have late CSS Profile deadlines for exactly this reason. You can check which schools require it by visiting the College Board website. And don't worry too much - if it is required and she missed the deadline, contact the financial aid office immediately. Many schools are understanding and will still work with you, especially for incoming freshmen who are navigating this process for the first time.
Ellie Kim
To answer your follow-up question - yes, her aid was delayed by about 3 weeks while verification was processed. But because we submitted everything quickly, it was still processed before the tuition due date. The financial aid office gave her a temporary hold on the account so she didn't have to pay out of pocket while waiting. Definitely talk to your school's financial aid office about your situation - they can often put notes in your file and help if there are delays.
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Nathaniel Mikhaylov
•That's really good to know. I'll definitely reach out to my financial aid office ahead of time to let them know about our situation. Thanks for sharing your experience!
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Kristian Bishop
wait, i just realized something important - make sure your mom's name is EXACTLY the same on everything. my mom's middle name was spelled differently on her SSN card vs green card and that caused so many problems!!
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Nathaniel Mikhaylov
•Oh that's a really good point! I'll double check all her documents to make sure everything matches exactly. Thanks for the warning!
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