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Anyone else still traumatized from last year's FAFSA rollout? I'm having flashbacks to the months of glitches, calculation errors, and parents not being able to link their accounts properly. Really hoping they fixed all that for this cycle.
OMG YES! My mom tried to link her account 17 TIMES and it kept failing. Then when it finally worked, her AGI was wrong somehow?? We ended up filing a correction that took FOREVER to process. I'm seriously considering skipping FAFSA this year and just taking out private loans to avoid the headache.
Friendly reminder for everyone: even though FAFSA opens October 1st, many schools have their own priority deadlines for financial aid. My son's university has a November 15th priority deadline for maximum aid consideration. Check your school's financial aid website for their specific dates!
That's a really good point! I'll check my school's deadline too. Would be terrible to file on time for FAFSA but miss my school's priority date.
lol yeh do it, it's like buying a lottery ticket that's free. might win something might not but costs nothing to try ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
One more important point: Even families with higher incomes often use Parent PLUS loans to help pay for college, and you need a completed FAFSA on file to access those. Many families use a combination of the student's Direct loans (from FAFSA) and Parent PLUS loans to bridge gaps. So file the FAFSA even if you just want access to the federal loan programs!
I've heard about Parent PLUS loans but wasn't sure how they worked. Do they have better rates than just getting a private loan? We're hoping to mostly cash flow college but might need some loans to fill gaps.
Parent PLUS loans currently have a 8.05% interest rate plus a ~4% origination fee. Private loans might offer better rates if you have excellent credit, but PLUS loans have more flexible repayment options and forgiveness possibilities in certain situations. Worth comparing both options once you know your actual costs.
My nephew just got his yesterday and he submitted on October 5th. My daughter submitted October 22nd so I guess we still have a wait ahead of us lol. What's weird is that my nephew's SAI was calculated completely different than last year - his expected contribution went up by $7,000 even though our family income only increased by about $3,000. Anyone else notice big changes in the calculation method?
Yes, they completely changed the formula this year! The FAFSA Simplification Act eliminated many of the previous deductions and changed how they calculate the Student Aid Index (formerly EFC). Some of the biggest changes include: 1. They no longer subtract state and local tax allowances 2. They changed how they treat multiple students in college 3. They adjusted the income protection allowance 4. They eliminated the small business/farm asset protection Most middle-income families are seeing higher SAI calculations, unfortunately. It's worth appealing directly to your college's financial aid office if the new SAI doesn't reflect your actual ability to pay.
Update: I called my son's college financial aid office this morning, and they told me they've extended their priority deadline to March 15th because of all the FAFSA delays! They also said they're seeing most applications take 4-5 weeks to process right now. So relieved to have a little more breathing room. Thanks everyone for your helpful comments!!
lol its actually kinda genius of ur ex if he knows what hes doing. if hes higher income and does the FAFSA ur kid will get less aid. if u do it with lower income they might get more. maybe hes actually trying to help? just saying its possible
Trust me, he's not trying to help. He's been financially manipulative throughout our divorce. I think he's trying to create confusion or possibly sabotage the application entirely.
This is actually a common misconception. FAFSA requires the parent who provides more than 50% of support to complete the form, regardless of which parent would provide a more advantageous financial picture. Deliberately choosing the "wrong" parent to get more aid could lead to verification issues and potential penalties for misrepresentation.
Update: I called my child's prospective college financial aid office, and they recommended I start a completely new FAFSA application as the contributing parent. They said it's better than trying to modify his abandoned application. They also suggested I keep all receipts and documentation showing I provide most of the support (housing, food, clothing, etc.) in case we get selected for verification. Apparently, this situation is pretty common with divorced parents. Thanks everyone for the advice!
Great update! The financial aid office gave you exactly the right guidance. Starting fresh is always cleaner than trying to modify an application someone else began. Good luck with the process!
Smart move calling the school directly! They usually give the best advice since they're the ones who'll actually be processing the aid.
Abby Marshall
quick update - my daughters SAI finally came thru and it was COMPLETELY wrong!!! now we have to submit a correction and wait AGAIN. this is such a nightmare
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Vanessa Figueroa
•Oh no! What was wrong with it? Now I'm worried that when we finally get my son's results, they might be incorrect too.
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Abby Marshall
•they somehow didnt count her moms income even tho we completed that part! the SAI is wayyy too low (which sounds good but isnt when colleges see its obviously wrong). now we submitted correction but who knows how long THAT will take 🙄
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Isabel Vega
For those still waiting, here's what many financial aid offices are advising students to do: 1. Screenshot your confirmation page showing the date you submitted the FAFSA 2. Email this screenshot to each college's financial aid office 3. Ask for a provisional financial aid offer based on your submission date Many schools are making accommodations and extending deadlines due to these unprecedented delays. Don't assume you'll lose opportunities - proactive communication with your schools is key.
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Vanessa Figueroa
•Update: Our SAI finally came through today! Exactly 3 weeks after submission. For anyone still waiting, hang in there. And thank you everyone for all the helpful advice during the wait!
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