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this is why the whole system is so frustrating!! why cant everything just be connected automatically??? common app should just tell fafsa when you add schools. so dumb.
I was in your shoes last year! Added the school on FAFSA in February and everything worked out fine. One tip: after making the correction, wait 3 days then call the financial aid office at the new school to confirm they received it. Don't just assume the system worked. Better to be proactive!
Financial aid advisor here. For the 2025-2026 FAFSA, the SAI location and delivery method changed from previous years, which is causing a lot of confusion. Here's what you need to know: 1. The SAI is ONLY available on the student's account (parent access won't show it) 2. It appears on the Student Aid Report (SAR), which is a PDF document 3. To access the SAR: Have your son log in → My Documents → Find the Student Aid Report 4. The SAI should appear on the first page, but occasionally appears elsewhere in the document If the SAR isn't available after 3 weeks, it suggests one of three issues: - Verification is required (check "To Do" items in the student account) - There's an application error that needs correction (check Message Center) - The application is still in a processing queue (less likely after 3 weeks) Most colleges need the SAI by mid-May for financial aid packaging, so I recommend resolving this soon.
UPDATE: Finally got this sorted out! My son logged into his account and we found that there WAS a verification notice in his Message Center. Nothing was sent by email to alert us. We had to upload his W-2 forms and my tax return transcript. Once we did that, it took about 4 days for processing, and then the SAR with the SAI became available. The number appears near the top of page 1 of the SAR PDF. For anyone else having this issue - definitely check the Message Center in the student account and look for any verification requirements. They don't make this very obvious!
Great news! I'm glad you got it resolved. This is a common issue - the 2025-2026 FAFSA has been selecting more applications for verification than in previous years. The good thing is you caught it in time for your May 10 deadline.
my cousin works in a financial aid office and she says they get calls about this ALL THE TIME... apparently even some guidance counselors don't know the difference between the SAR and FAFSA which is crazy considering it's literally their job to help students with this stuff lol
For the 2025-2026 academic year, there's also a slightly different process since the FAFSA Simplification Act changes rolled out. The Student Aid Report (SAR) now prominently displays your Student Aid Index (SAI) instead of the old Expected Family Contribution (EFC). When scholarships ask for your "FAFSA summary," they specifically want this document because it shows your financial need via the SAI number. Make sure you're downloading the complete PDF version through your studentaid.gov account, not just viewing the abbreviated online version.
Update: I called my top 2 schools today. First one said they received my FAFSA but I was selected for random verification 😭 and they need tax transcripts from my parents. Second school said they're still processing aid packages and should send mine out next week. I also used that Claimyr service to reach FSA and the agent confirmed my FAFSA is complete and properly processed on their end - the delay is just on the college side. Guess I need to get those verification documents together ASAP. Thanks everyone for your help!
Glad you got some answers! For the verification, here's a tip: use the IRS Data Retrieval Tool if possible instead of sending tax transcripts. It's faster and automatically verifies the information. If that's not an option, request the tax transcripts directly from IRS.gov rather than sending copies of returns - schools prefer official transcripts. And don't be afraid to follow up with the financial aid offices weekly. It keeps your file on their radar, especially during busy season.
Liam O'Donnell
im confused about all this... does this mean we should stop making payments until they figure it out? i cant afford the new payment amount
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Zoe Alexopoulos
•Definitely DON'T stop making payments - that would put you into default and make you ineligible for forgiveness programs. If you can't afford your new payment, immediately apply for a recalculation based on income or request a deferment/forbearance while you sort things out.
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Liam O'Donnell
•thx for the advice. ill call them tomorrow to try to get a lower payment
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Mei Liu
UPDATE: I just got off the phone with FSA after using Claimyr to get through. The agent confirmed that the IDR Account Adjustment for borrowers in repayment for 20+ years IS still happening, but implementation is delayed until after the litigation around the SAVE plan is resolved. She said they're still identifying eligible accounts and if you've truly been making payments for 20+ years, you should still qualify once they restart the program. She suggested making sure all your contact information is updated on studentaid.gov so you receive notifications when the program resumes.
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Andre Dubois
•That's such a relief to hear! Thank you for sharing this update. Did they give any indication of timeline for when they might resume processing forgiveness for us long-term borrowers?
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Mei Liu
•They wouldn't commit to any specific dates, unfortunately. The agent said they're waiting for "legal clarity" before announcing new timelines. She did say they've already identified most eligible accounts, so once they get the green light, processing should move relatively quickly.
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