oh & make sure u understand the diff between subsidized vs unsubsidized loans!! subsidized = govt pays interest while ur in school, unsubsidized = interest accrues the whole time (MUCH more expensive in the long run

As you're evaluating offers, also pay attention to the ENTIRE cost of attendance. Some schools in expensive cities have much higher living costs than schools in rural areas. A school offering slightly less aid might actually be more affordable if it's in a lower-cost area. Looking at just the tuition number doesn't tell the whole story. And if you have specific questions about your aid package at any school, don't hesitate to call their financial aid office directly. They can often explain details that aren't clear in the letters.

I've been helping families with FAFSA issues for years, and this new system has been particularly problematic. Here's what I recommend: 1. Completely log out of the studentaid.gov website 2. Clear your browser cache and cookies 3. Log back in with your FSA ID (parent) 4. Go to "I'm a Parent" section and verify your profile is complete 5. Then have your son log in with his FSA ID 6. Start a brand new FAFSA application (do not use the correction feature) 7. When you reach the "Parent Information" section, make sure your son properly transfers access to you The key is making sure both FSA IDs are properly linked in the system. The new FAFSA has a contributor model where the student must explicitly request parent contribution rather than just having parents fill out sections themselves. If this doesn't work, call Federal Student Aid directly - though be prepared for long wait times.

UPDATE: We finally got it working! It was a combination of issues. First, we needed to use Firefox instead of Chrome as someone suggested. Second, my son had accidentally clicked the "homeless or self-supporting" box which made the system think he was independent even though he answered dependent on other questions. Finally, I had to complete my FSA ID profile completely before starting his application. For anyone else facing this issue - check EVERY dependency status question carefully and try a different browser! Thank you all for your help - his SAI finally calculated correctly and we can see the entire aid package now. What a relief!

also watch out for the CSS Profile!!!! some private schools require it ON TOP OF the FAFSA and it has different deadlines. we almost missed it for my daughter's school and had to rush to complete it. check each school's financial aid page to see if they want the CSS Profile too

Just to summarize the excellent advice in this thread: 1. Submit your FAFSA ASAP - don't wait for your son's final decision 2. List all possible schools (up to 10) that he's considering 3. You can add/remove/reorder schools later through studentaid.gov 4. Check if any schools require the CSS Profile in addition to FAFSA 5. Pay attention to each school's priority financial aid deadline 6. Remember that some institutional aid is first-come, first-served The most important thing is getting that initial submission completed early. You can always make adjustments later as his college plans become clearer.

One more tip regarding the 2025-26 FAFSA timeline: - Create FSA IDs now (October/November) - Application opens December 1, 2024 - Complete FAFSA as soon as possible after opening (ideally December/January) - Student Aid Index (SAI) calculation typically arrives 3-5 days after submission - Schools receive your information after SAI calculation - Aid packages typically sent February-April depending on the school Even though the deadline isn't until June 30, 2026, many state and institutional aid programs have much earlier deadlines and some operate on a first-come, first-served basis. Always aim to submit as close to the December opening as possible.

Yes, the 2025-26 FAFSA will use your 2023 tax information (which you filed in 2024). This is part of the prior-prior year system they use now, which makes it easier since you'll already have completed those tax returns. One other thing to prepare - if you and your daughter both have smartphones, I recommend downloading the myStudentAid mobile app. You can create the FSA IDs and complete the FAFSA through the app as well, and some people find the mobile interface easier than the desktop site.

I went through something similar with my younger brother after our mom passed (dad wasn't in the picture). We spent HOURS trying to reach someone at Federal Student Aid to get specialized help with his situation. The regular phone line was useless - always on hold for 2+ hours then disconnected. What finally worked was using Claimyr (claimyr.com) to get through to an actual FSA agent. They have a system that holds your place in line and calls you back when an agent is available. The agent we spoke with identified additional aid options specific to his orphan status that the school hadn't mentioned. They have a video showing how it works here: https://youtu.be/TbC8dZQWYNQ Once we got proper guidance from FSA, the school's financial aid office was able to process additional aid that covered almost all his expenses. Definitely worth trying.

One more important thing to check: has your niece completed the CSS Profile in addition to the FAFSA? Many private schools use this for institutional aid, and they often have special provisions for students without parents. Unlike FAFSA, CSS Profile schools sometimes have discretionary funds specifically for hardship cases. Also, for nursing specifically, check into the NURSE Corps Scholarship Program and the Nursing Education Loan Repayment Program. Both are federal programs that can provide substantial funding in exchange for working in high-need areas after graduation. Lastly, some hospitals offer tuition reimbursement if she works for them part-time while in school. It might delay her graduation a bit, but could solve the funding issue.