Update for anyone with the same problem: I logged into my FSA ID account directly and found one son's application but not the other. My son checked and realized he had misspelled my email address when entering me as a contributor (he put .con instead of .com 🤦‍♀️). He fixed it and resent the invitation. Still no email, but when I logged in again this morning, both applications showed up in my dashboard! I've completed the parent contribution section for both of them now. \n\nSo yes, you CAN go ahead without waiting for the invite email! And triple check that your student entered your email correctly.

Thanks for the update! Glad you got it figured out! The .con vs .com thing is such an easy mistake to make and causes so much stress!

AVOID PARENT PLUS LOANS IF YOU CAN!!! The interest rates are RIDICULOUS compared to the regular student loans. Our first child graduated 2 years ago and we're still buried in Parent PLUS debt. The subsidized and unsubsidized federal loans have much better rates and more flexible repayment options. Max those out first! Also look into private loans before Parent PLUS - if you have decent credit you can probably get a better rate.

Does anyone know if we need to fill out a separate CSS Profile for the NY school? I've heard some schools require that in addition to FAFSA, but I'm not sure if that's related to the federal loans or something else entirely.

Quick tip that might help others: For anyone dealing with these delays and needing to make college financial decisions, contact your school's financial aid office directly. Many colleges have implemented provisional aid award processes specifically to deal with the FAFSA processing backlog this year. They can often use estimated SAI calculations based on tax return copies you provide directly to them while waiting for official FAFSA processing. This won't help with the tax refund delay, but it can at least keep your college financial planning on track.

My friend works at the IRS (not supposed to tell me this stuff but whatever) and she says they're prioritizing processing people who OWE money first, then doing refunds after. So if you're getting a refund, you're automatically at the back of the line. Has nothing to do with FAFSA - just how they maximize revenue collection.

my cousin said they might extend it again if too many people still dont have their SARs

UPDATE: I finally got my SAR!!! Called FSA using that Claimyr service someone mentioned above and got through to an actual person in about 30 minutes. They found a small error in my parent's contribution section that was holding everything up. The agent fixed it right away and my SAR was processed within 24 hours. Already submitted my Cal Grant application with 2 weeks to spare before the extended deadline. Such a relief! Thanks everyone for your help!

just fyi my neighbor had their kid emancipate right b4 college and they got TONS more aid that way. might be worth looking into legal emancipation if ur kids r 17

After reading through all these responses, I think your best options are: 1. The strategy mentioned by the financial aid counselor about PLUS loan denial leading to increased unsubsidized loan eligibility for your children 2. Filing appeals for professional judgment at each school based on the multiple students in college and any other special circumstances 3. Looking into whether any of your children qualify for merit scholarships or outside private scholarships Remember that falsifying information on the FAFSA has serious consequences including having to repay all aid received, fines up to $20,000, and possible prison time. The schools and the Department of Education have sophisticated systems to detect fraud.