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Just checking back - any luck with the invitation? If you're still having trouble, remember that while waiting, you can still be proactive by gathering the documents you'll need for the parent portion: 2023 tax returns, W-2s, and records of any untaxed income. That way you'll be ready to complete it quickly once the invitation arrives.
Just to follow up on this thread - there's another scenario I've seen cause this issue. If your husband created his FSA ID but then used a different email address when completing the FAFSA contributor section, the system sometimes fails to properly connect his FSA ID with his contributor information, resulting in an incomplete status despite showing an SAI. This has been a widespread problem with the 2025-2026 FAFSA that the Department of Education has acknowledged but hasn't fully resolved. When you log in to check, pay special attention to the email addresses associated with each person's section.
UPDATE: We figured it out! My husband logged in and discovered he completed everything EXCEPT checking the final "I agree" box and clicking submit on the very last page. He had saved his progress but never actually submitted. The confusing part is that it let my daughter get an SAI calculation anyway. Thank you everyone for your help! We've properly submitted everything now and got a confirmation number. Now just waiting for the colleges to update their systems and stop sending those reminder emails!
UPDATE: I just want to clarify something important for everyone in this thread. For federal Parent PLUS loans, you only need to complete one application and one Master Promissory Note per academic year. However, many schools have their own internal processes that require additional confirmation steps for each semester's disbursement. This is why I always recommend contacting your specific institution rather than relying on general advice. Their internal processes might require actions that aren't part of the federal requirements but are still necessary for timely disbursement.
Update from my end: I called the financial aid office this morning and you were right - they said my Parent PLUS loan was approved for the full year, but they needed me to confirm the spring amount through their portal (which they never mentioned before!). Just completed it and they said the anticipated aid should show up on her account within 48 hours. Thank you all for the help!
this is exactly why i took out a home equity loan instead of dealing with parent plus loans every semester!! so much easier even tho the interest is probably higher lol
As a financial aid counselor, I want to add one more important point: If you do need to switch which parent completes the FAFSA, be prepared for questions. Your SAI (Student Aid Index, formerly EFC) will likely change dramatically if you switch from a lower-income parent to a higher-income one, and this can trigger verification flags. The financial aid office may request documentation of your living situation. Be honest and consistent about where you physically resided.
Hugh Intensity
my dad tried to start mine for me and it was a TOTAL mess because everything was under his name instead of mine and we had to call and get it all cancelled and start over. student HAS to start it!!
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Sunny Wang
One more important detail: If your daughter is applying to any schools that require the CSS Profile in addition to the FAFSA, she should complete that application separately. Unlike the FAFSA, the CSS Profile process is different - she completes one application and includes information about both parents within it. There's no contributor system for CSS Profile.
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Reginald Blackwell
•Fortunately we don't need to worry about the CSS Profile this year - she's only applying to state schools. But good to know the processes are different!
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