As a newcomer to this community, I've been reading through this entire discussion with great interest since I'm facing a very similar situation with my own family. My twin daughters are both starting college next fall, and I've been considering going back to school myself to finish my nursing degree. What's really struck me from all the responses here is how dramatically the FAFSA landscape has changed with the new SAI system. The fact that the old "multiple students = divided family contribution" benefit is essentially gone at the federal level is something I had no idea about when I started researching our options. @Anastasia Popova - I'm really hoping you've been able to check on that CSS Profile requirement by now! The consensus from everyone here seems clear that withdrawing your FAFSA won't help your daughter's aid package, but there are definitely other avenues worth pursuing. Your daughter's SAI of 8426 should qualify her for substantial aid, so something is definitely off with her package. This thread has been incredibly educational for those of us trying to understand these new rules. It sounds like the key strategies now are: 1) Appeal with documentation, 2) Check for CSS Profile requirements, 3) Ask specifically about institutional grants for multiple students, and 4) Research school-specific policies rather than relying on federal formulas. Thank you to everyone who shared their experiences - this kind of real-world insight is invaluable for families navigating this confusing new system!

As someone who just joined this community and is starting to research financial aid options for my family, this thread has been absolutely invaluable! I'm in a similar boat - considering returning to school while my daughter prepares for college, and I had no idea about these FAFSA changes. Reading through everyone's experiences, it's clear that the new SAI system has completely changed the game for families with multiple students. The fact that withdrawing your application won't help your daughter under the new formula is such important information that I never would have known otherwise. @Anastasia Popova - I really hope you've had success with the CSS Profile check and appeal process! Your daughter's low SAI should definitely qualify her for more aid than she received. Have you been able to get any updates from her financial aid office? What's really encouraging is seeing how many people found success through the appeals process and by asking specifically about institutional grants for multiple students. It sounds like even though the federal system changed, schools are still trying to find ways to help families in these situations. For those of us just starting this journey, this thread has provided such a clear roadmap: keep all FAFSA applications active, check for CSS Profile requirements, prepare thorough documentation for appeals, and ask specifically about school-specific policies for families with multiple students. Thank you to everyone who shared their knowledge and experiences!

Just wanted to add one more thing that I wish someone had told me when I was in your shoes - don't panic if your financial aid timeline doesn't match exactly what others are sharing! Every school operates a bit differently, and some are much faster than others with processing and sending out award letters. I submitted my FAFSA in early November and didn't get my SAI notification until mid-December, then some schools sent aid packages in February while others didn't send theirs until late April. It was nerve-wracking watching friends get their letters before me, but everything worked out fine. Also, since you mentioned your parents can't help much with this process - consider reaching out to your high school guidance counselor if you have questions along the way. Many of them are really knowledgeable about financial aid and can help you understand your award letters when they arrive. Some high schools even have workshops specifically for first-gen college students navigating this stuff. With your SAI of 3500, you're going to have some great options! Just remember that this process is a marathon, not a sprint. Stay organized, be patient, and don't hesitate to ask for help when you need it. You've got this!

Hey Kristin! I was in your exact same situation two years ago as a first-gen student and felt completely overwhelmed by the whole process. Reading through all these responses brought back so many memories of that anxiety! I just wanted to add one thing that really helped me during the waiting period - I started a simple journal to track not just the logistics (which the spreadsheet idea is perfect for), but also my feelings and questions as they came up. It helped me realize that all the confusion and stress was totally normal, and looking back at it now, I can see how much I learned throughout the process. Also, since you mentioned your parents can't help much - don't underestimate online resources! The Federal Student Aid website has some really helpful videos that walk through what happens after FAFSA submission. I probably watched the "Understanding Your Aid Offer" video like five times before I got my first award letter. Your SAI of 3500 is genuinely excellent - I had a similar number and ended up with aid packages that made college affordable at several schools. The hardest part really is just the waiting and not knowing what to expect, but you're already doing everything right by asking questions and staying informed. One last thing - when you do get those award letters, don't feel like you have to make decisions immediately. Most schools give you until May 1st to respond, so you have time to really compare and think through your options. You've got this!

Hey Victoria! I'm a junior who was in your exact situation freshman year - Pell Grant covered tuition with some leftover, but I was panicking about that huge gap for living expenses. I'm so glad you're asking these questions early! You can absolutely still apply for scholarships! Think of it this way: your $15k Cost of Attendance is like a bucket that needs to be filled. Your Pell Grant ($7,330) is filling about half that bucket, leaving you with roughly $7,670 still needed. Scholarships are perfect for filling that remaining space. I ended up getting 4 scholarships on top of my Pell Grant totaling about $4,200 for the year. It covered my textbooks, helped with groceries, and gave me a safety net for unexpected expenses like when I needed emergency dental work. My advice: Start with local opportunities first - less competition! Check your city's website, local rotary clubs, community foundations, and even your high school (they often get scholarship announcements throughout the year). Also look into work-study if you qualify - those earnings don't count against your aid limits. Being first-gen is tough because we don't have family who can guide us through this stuff, but you're being so smart by researching and asking questions. The financial aid office should be your best friend - they want to help you succeed! You've got this! 💪

Hey Victoria! I'm a sophomore who was literally in your exact shoes last year - Pell Grant covered my tuition with money left over, but I was still stressed about that big gap for living expenses. You're absolutely on the right track thinking about scholarships! Your Pell Grant covering tuition doesn't disqualify you from other aid at all. In fact, it puts you in a great position because any scholarships you get can go straight toward those living costs that are keeping you up at night. I applied for about 15 scholarships and ended up getting 3 of them (totaling $2,800 for the year). It wasn't enough to cover everything, but it made such a difference for groceries, gas, and textbooks. The key is applying for EVERYTHING you're eligible for, especially the smaller local ones that have less competition. Since you mentioned being first-gen, definitely check out scholarships specifically for first-generation students. There are quite a few out there! Also ask your financial aid office about any emergency grants or institutional scholarships your school offers - mine had several I didn't even know existed. You're being so smart by planning ahead and asking these questions. The whole financial aid system is confusing when you're figuring it out alone, but you're definitely making the right moves. Keep applying and don't get discouraged - every little bit helps reduce that money stress! 🎓

Hey Mei! I just wanted to add another perspective as someone who's currently a sophomore and went through this exact same confusion two years ago. My SAI was actually slightly higher than yours (around 11,800) and I was convinced I wouldn't get any aid at all. Here's what I wish someone had told me: don't just focus on the federal aid! Yes, your Pell Grant will be small (I got about $900), but there are SO many other funding sources: 1. State grants can be huge - I got $3,200/year from my state's need-based grant program even with my higher SAI 2. Institutional grants from schools - these vary wildly between schools and often have different criteria than federal aid 3. Department-specific scholarships - many academic departments have their own scholarships that you can apply for once you're enrolled 4. Local scholarships - check with your high school counselor, local businesses, community organizations Also, something nobody talks about enough: work-study jobs are actually pretty sweet! I work 10 hours/week in the library, it's super flexible with my class schedule, and it covers my meal plan. The key is to cast a wide net and don't get discouraged by that SAI number. It's just one piece of the puzzle, not the whole story of what aid you'll get!

Welcome to the confusing world of SAI! I'm a financial aid counselor at a community college, and I see students with your exact situation all the time. Your SAI of 10,355 actually puts you in a pretty common range for middle-income families. Here's the reality: you'll likely qualify for some aid, but it won't be huge amounts. Expect maybe $1,000-2,000 in Pell Grant funding, subsidized loans, and potentially work-study. The real game-changers will be state grants and institutional aid from each school. One thing I always tell students - don't forget about your state's community college system! You could potentially complete your first two years at a community college (where costs are much lower and your aid goes further) then transfer to finish your bachelor's at one of those state universities. Many have guaranteed transfer agreements now. Also, once you're enrolled anywhere, there are often additional scholarship opportunities that become available to continuing students. Your SAI isn't the end of the story - it's just the starting point for your financial aid journey. Keep asking questions and don't let the numbers discourage you. College is still very achievable with some strategic planning!

Your SAI of 18759 is definitely on the higher side, but don't lose hope yet! I had a similar situation last year with an SAI around 16500. Here's what I learned: 1. Each state has different grant programs - some go up to SAI of 20000 or higher 2. Your school might have emergency grants or hardship funds you can apply for separately 3. Since your tuition is $14k and your SAI is $18k, you might still qualify for subsidized loans to cover the gap The key is being proactive. I ended up getting $4000 in state grants and $2000 from my school's hardship fund by submitting additional paperwork showing my family's debt situation. Also look into becoming an RA after your first year - that often covers room and board! Don't give up before you see your actual aid package. The SAI is just one piece of the puzzle.

Hey Nia! I'm in a really similar boat - my SAI came back at 19,200 and I was totally freaking out at first. My family income is around $90k but we have massive student loan payments from my parents' degrees that eat up like $800/month. Here's what I've learned so far: the SAI is basically the government's estimate of what your family can contribute, but it doesn't mean you won't get ANY aid. I called my state university's financial aid office and they told me to wait for my actual aid package before panicking because they have institutional grants that work differently than federal ones. Also, I found out my state has a grant program that goes up to SAI of 22,000 for families under certain income thresholds. Every state is different though! One thing that really helped me was making a list of all my family's actual monthly expenses (including debt payments) because if your aid package isn't enough, you can appeal it with that documentation. The financial aid counselor I talked to said they see appeals like this all the time. Hang in there - I know it's super stressful but don't give up before you see what you're actually offered!