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One other thing to check - when you login, make sure you're looking at the 2025-2026 FAFSA and not accidentally viewing last year's application. The portal sometimes switches between years and causes confusion. If you're certain you're viewing the correct year's application, then follow the advice above about having your husband sign again. The signature status bug is definitely not uncommon this year.
My son's FAFSA did the same thing but his SAI ended up increasing by almost $1500 after we resigned!! We never found out why. The whole system is broken this year.
Oh no, that's exactly what I'm afraid of! Did you contact anyone about why it changed? That seems so unfair if you didn't actually make any corrections to the information.
my cousins nephew had similar problem with fasfa this year and ended up not going to college at all because of it... the whole system is broken honestly
Update: I want to thank everyone for the amazing advice! I was able to contact my son's top choice school and they've extended our financial aid deadline by 30 days. I also used that Claimyr service someone mentioned and actually got through to a FAFSA representative who was super helpful. She walked me through the Professional Judgment request process and specifically told me which documents to upload. I've submitted everything yesterday and now we wait. The rep said it should take 2-3 weeks for review, which still gives us time before the extended deadline. I'm still nervous but feeling much more hopeful now. Will update when we hear back!
This is great news! Schools are generally very understanding about these situations, especially with all the FAFSA issues this year. The fact that you've been proactive and have documentation of your efforts makes a huge difference. Wishing you and your son the best!
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.
Good point! I'll definitely save the confirmation. Do you know how long corrections typically take to process right now?
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.
Thank you so much for this detailed explanation! I've been so confused about where the money actually comes from. I'll definitely reach out to the Residency Classification Office about the appeal process. Do you know if these exceptions are rare or if they approve a decent number of them?
Exceptions aren't common, but they do happen in cases with clear documentation and legitimate reasons. The key is providing evidence that your absence was temporary and that your parents maintained continuous Arizona residency. Your academic profile (high GPA) and financial need (negative SAI) make you exactly the type of student these programs aim to help, which works in your favor. The success rate varies by institution and individual circumstances, but I've seen similar cases approved when properly documented.
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!!!
Oh no, that sounds exactly like my situation! Did you ever get it resolved or find alternative scholarships?
Rita Jacobs
Just want to follow up on the divorce situation since that seems to be a major sticking point: the FAFSA's definition of "contributor" is very specific and often confuses people. The actual rule is: - If parents are divorced/separated, you report information ONLY for the parent you lived with more during the past 12 months - If you lived with both equally, then you report the parent who provided more financial support - Child support and alimony ARE counted as income for the parent who receives it - If your custodial parent is remarried, your step-parent's information MUST be included The most common mistake is including information from both biological parents when divorced, which causes verification flags. The system is designed to only collect data from the household you actually live in, not both parents.
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Dana Doyle
•This explains so much! I've been including some of my dad's information even though I primarily live with mom because he contributes more financially. I'm going to redo it with JUST mom's info (and her new husband's) since I lived with them more than 50% of the time. Thank you for the clear explanation!
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Darren Brooks
whatever you do DONT miss the priority deadline for your schools!!! my son did last year and lost out on like $4000 in institutional grants even though his fafsa eventually went through. some schools are super strict about those dates!!
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Dana Doyle
•Oh no, that's exactly what I'm worried about! My top choice school has a March 1st priority deadline which is coming up fast. I'm definitely going to try the College Goal Sunday event this weekend as someone suggested above. Thanks for the warning!
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