One important thing nobody mentioned - make sure you and your daughter know the difference between subsidized and unsubsidized Direct loans! My son didn't understand this at first and it makes a BIG difference. Subsidized = no interest while in school. Unsubsidized = interest accumulates the whole time. Parent PLUS loans always accumulate interest from day one and have the highest rates of all federal loans.

ya n also the interest rates for next yr might b different right? does ne1 know when they announce the new rates for fall 2025 loans?

ur overthinking this!! just apply everywhere and decide later. my roomate did this and got like 6 acceptance letters and just picked the one with best $$$$ in april. no big deal!

Thank you everyone for all this helpful information! I've made a list of action items based on your advice: 1. Contact backup schools' financial aid offices to explain our situation 2. Get documentation from current school about their status 3. Look into transfer scholarship options at backup schools 4. Save copies of all current financial aid documents and transcripts 5. Check for deposit refund policies at all potential schools I feel much more prepared now to help my daughter navigate this uncertainty. Really appreciate all the guidance!

I'd recommend sending a polite but direct email to each financial aid office with:\n1. Your full name and student ID\n2. FAFSA submission date (1/16) and processing date (3/28)\n3. Confirmation number from your FAFSA\n4. A specific request for confirmation that you'll still be considered for all aid programs\n\nKeep the email professional but mention you've been anxiously waiting due to the lengthy processing time. Financial aid officers are overwhelmed right now, but most are being understanding about the nationwide delays.

This is exactly what I needed - a template for what to include in my emails. Thank you so much for the specific guidance!

have u tried doordash or uber eats?? thats how i make ends meet. the pay isnt amazing but u can work whenever u want between classes. also check if ur school has any paid research positions - they usually pay better than regular campus jobs

After reading through this thread, I'd recommend this action plan: 1. First, visit your financial aid office ASAP to inquire about emergency grants/loans and request a Professional Judgment Review based on your changed circumstances 2. Use the Claimyr service mentioned above to speak directly with FSA about additional federal loan options 3. Check with your academic department about paid research or teaching assistant positions 4. Only after exhausting these options, look into Ascent or Funding U for their no-cosigner loan options Private loans should truly be your last resort. The difference in interest rates and repayment terms between federal and private loans can mean tens of thousands of dollars over the life of the loan.

When I was doing my FAFSA I got confused about the same thing! But then my friend told me that this year you sign first then enter all the tax stuff after. Apparently on the old FAFSA you did it the other way around. Just go with it, it'll make sense once you get through that part.

Just to add some context - this change was part of the FAFSA Simplification Act that's been rolling out in phases. The signature-first approach actually helps prevent identity theft since you're verifying who you are before entering all your sensitive financial data. The Department of Education didn't communicate this change very well though. After you sign, you'll still enter all your tax info from your 1040 and W-2, plus any untaxed income and assets.