Great update! I'm glad you took the initiative to contact them before submitting. Getting those forms and specific instructions will make the process much smoother. Just remember that if you do get stuck in the online FAFSA application (which happens often in these special situations), don't hesitate to call their helpline for assistance.

GOOD JOB! That's exactly what you needed to do. Way better than what I did lol. My daughter got way less aid than she should've because I didn't know about this process until too late. Also don't forget you'll have to do this EVERY YEAR you apply for aid, so keep ALL your documentation!

anyone else notice how the dependency verification questions changed this year? my son is definitely independent (he's 24 and files his own taxes) but the system kept rejecting his status. had to answer the special circumstances questions to get it to accept his status.

UPDATE: We finally got through it!!! Combination of things worked: 1. Used Chrome in incognito mode 2. Entered all tax info manually (no IRS tool) 3. Fixed our mortgage amount (current balance) 4. Logged in at 5:30am when the site was faster And we got our official SAI calculation! So much relief. Thanks everyone for your help and suggestions. For anyone else struggling - don't give up, and try early morning hours when the site seems to work better.

Quick note on timing: The 2025-2026 FAFSA should be available on October 1, 2024. However, after last year's delayed rollout and technical issues, I recommend checking the studentaid.gov website regularly for any announcements about the release date. Set a calendar reminder to complete it as soon as it's available, as some schools award institutional aid on a first-come, first-served basis.

Another important detail: Make sure you list the same schools on your 2025-2026 FAFSA that you'll be attending. Even if you're already enrolled when you complete it, you still need to include your school's code on the new application. Each FAFSA is treated as a separate application, and schools only receive the data for the specific aid years where you've listed them.

One thing no one mentioned yet - your son should create his own email account BUT make sure you have access to it or that he adds you as a recovery option. My son never checks his email and almost missed the verification deadline because important notices went to his inbox. For the 2025-2026 FAFSA, both student and parent will get separate notifications, so having access to both accounts is really helpful.

I work in a college financial aid office. Here's what your son needs for his part of the FAFSA: - Social Security Number - Alien Registration Number (if not a U.S. citizen) - Federal income tax returns - W-2s and other records of money earned - Bank statements and records of investments (if any) - Records of untaxed income (if any) And absolutely get separate email addresses. This isn't just a preference - it's required by the system. Gmail and Outlook both offer free accounts that he can keep permanently. Also, start the process early! The new system has had issues, and priority deadlines for many schools are in early February 2025.

Just want to give you some hope - my daughter submitted in January too and randomly got her SAI yesterday with no emails or anything beforehand. The system just updated. Maybe check your account again?

UPDATE: I called FSA this morning using that Claimyr service I mentioned, and the agent was super helpful. Turns out my application was complete but stuck in a processing queue. She manually pushed it through and said my SAI should appear within 3-5 business days! So relieved I didn't wait any longer to call.