One more tip: Once you submit your corrections, print or save the confirmation page that shows your confirmation number. This provides proof of your submission date and time. If there are any processing issues later, having this documentation is invaluable when discussing with your financial aid office.

also - the signature page at the end is confusing. make sure u click the SUBMIT button after signing. i just signed and closed the page like an idiot and had to do it all over again lol

I work in financial aid (not at ASU). With your SAI of -1500, you're in the highest need category, which is good news for federal aid. For Land Grant specifically, each university has a residency classification appeal process where you can explain extenuating circumstances. In your case, since your parents established residency and you were only temporarily away, you might have a case. The entity that provides Land Grant scholarships is the university itself, using state funding tied to their Land Grant status under the Morrill Acts. It's not federal money like Pell Grants. What I would suggest: 1. Contact ASU's Residency Classification Office directly about an appeal/exception 2. Apply for all federal aid regardless of the Land Grant situation 3. Look into ASU-specific scholarships that might have different residency requirements 4. Check departmental scholarships within your intended major With your GPA and SAI, you have excellent chances for other aid even if the Land Grant doesn't work out.

I had a similar situation with Land Grant at Michigan State!!! The residency office was IMPOSSIBLE to reach for WEEKS and then they denied me even though my parents lived in-state for years just because I went to high school out of state with my grandparents for my senior year!!! SO UNFAIR!!! My SAI was like -2300 and I still got rejected. The system is completely broken!!!

Financial aid advisor here. There's a lot of confusion in this thread I want to clear up: 1. For immediate help with potential default: Call your servicer and request an Administrative Forbearance specifically while you resolve the IDR application issues. They must grant this while paperwork is being processed. 2. For the tax return issue: You can submit alternative documentation of income (recent pay stubs) instead of tax returns for IDR qualification if you're having issues with your tax documents. 3. For long-term solutions: The new SAVE plan (replacement for REPAYE) caps undergraduate loan payments at 5% of discretionary income instead of 10%. 4. If you're unemployed: Your IDR payment should be $0 during this period. 5. Interest capitalization rules have changed under the new regulations - interest should not be capitalizing except in specific circumstances now. I recommend filing a complaint with the FSA Ombudsman if your servicer is providing incorrect information or not processing your applications properly.

I had a similar nightmare with defaulted loans. What eventually worked for me: 1. Filed a CFPB complaint against my servicer (surprisingly effective) 2. Got into the Fresh Start program to get out of default 3. IMMEDIATELY applied for income-based repayment with my $0 income 4. Requested a recalculation when I found employment The system is absolutely broken, but there are pathways through it. Don't ignore it though - that makes everything worse. And DOCUMENT EVERYTHING - dates of calls, who you spoke with, what they told you. This saved me multiple times when they tried to claim I hadn't submitted paperwork.

My daughter is in both groups and she says this one has been more helpful for her specific situation with the Parent Plus loan eligibility questions. The other group seems to have more first-gen college students who aren't getting parental support. Different needs maybe?

One more suggestion - maybe compile a list of the most helpful posts/resources from your group that aren't already covered here? That way we don't lose valuable information during the transition, especially with the 2025-2026 FAFSA changes still causing confusion for many applicants.

Why does the FAFSA website ALWAYS have issues right around deadline time? It's almost like they WANT students to miss out on financial aid. Been dealing with this garbage system for 3 years now. Every single year, same story, different error messages. 🙄

UPDATE: I tried the incognito mode + phone hotspot suggestion from @profile3 and IT WORKED!! Got past the error screen and was able to complete my entire application! For anyone else having this issue - definitely give this solution a try. Thank you all so much for the help!