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Just to add to the great advice already here - if you continue having trouble with the signature page after trying to correct it online, you can also print, sign, and mail a signature page as a backup option. It's not the fastest solution, but it's there if the electronic method continues to fail. \n\nHere's how:\n1. Log in to studentaid.gov\n2. Go to your FAFSA application\n3. Select \
After reviewing all the comments, here's what I recommend: 1. Have your daughter check her college portals to see if her FAFSA was received 2. Contact one of her school's financial aid offices directly 3. If you need immediate confirmation from FSA directly (which is the most reliable option), consider using a service like the one mentioned to get through to an agent Given that you were able to complete your portion and link to her application, it's highly likely everything is properly submitted. The email system has been notoriously unreliable this cycle.
Thank you so much for this clear breakdown of next steps. I feel much better having a plan. I'm going to start with checking the college portals tonight, then contact the financial aid office tomorrow. If I still need confirmation after that, I'll try reaching FSA directly.
btw make sure u tell ur daughter to keep checking her email and fsa portal regularly cuz sometimes they ask for verification after everything looks completed. my son got asked for tax documents 3 weeks after we thought everything was done. almost missed the deadline!!!
That's great advice - thank you! I'll make sure she checks both regularly. This process is so much more complicated than when I was in college!
the SAI is that new thing right? i thought we still used EFC? this whole new FAFSA system is so confusing ugh
You're partially right - the SAI (Student Aid Index) replaced the EFC (Expected Family Contribution) starting with the 2024-2025 FAFSA. They serve a similar purpose in determining aid eligibility, but the calculation method changed. The confusion is understandable since this transition has been rolling out with the simplified FAFSA.
UPDATE: I finally got my SAI this morning! It appeared on my SAR and the status changed from 'processing' to 'processed' on studentaid.gov. Took exactly 25 days from submission. For anyone else waiting, just hang tight - it does eventually come through. Now I need to figure out what this SAI number actually means for my aid package...
Great news! Your SAI is used by your school to determine your financial need (Cost of Attendance minus SAI). Lower numbers mean more need-based aid eligibility. Now your school can start putting together your financial aid package with grants, scholarships, work-study, and loans. Make sure to check your school portal regularly for updates.
BEWARE that if your cousin gets any outside scholarships he HAS TO report them to financial aid office!!! My kid got a $2000 Kiwanis scholarship and didn't tell the school and they found out and REDUCED his aid package by $2000!!!! Said it was "scholarship displacement" which is COMPLETE BS but apparently legal in most states!!!!!
This is unfortunately correct in many cases. Federal rules require schools to adjust aid packages when outside scholarships create an "over-award" situation (total aid exceeding cost of attendance or financial need). However, good financial aid offices will try to reduce loans first rather than grants. Some states (Maryland, Pennsylvania, New Jersey) have passed laws against scholarship displacement, but it's still common practice elsewhere.
Thank you all SO much for this incredibly helpful information! I've made notes of all the key points: - Submit FAFSA as close to October 1 as possible - Check Michigan's March 1 deadline AND individual school deadlines - Look into the CSS Profile for private schools - Consider work-study opportunities - Be strategic about outside scholarships This has been so much more helpful than the confusing info on the financial aid websites. Really appreciate everyone taking the time to share your knowledge and experiences!
Happy to help! One last tip - make sure your cousin lists at least 4-5 schools on the FAFSA application, even if he's not 100% sure about applying to all of them. You can always add more schools later, but having them listed from the start ensures they get the information as early as possible. Best of luck to both of you!
Logan Greenburg
Totally agree with checking if colleges need the CSS Profile too! My daughter applied to 6 schools and 2 required both FAFSA AND CSS Profile. The CSS asks for way more financial info and costs $25 for the first school and $16 for each additional one. They do have fee waivers though if your income qualifies.
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Mia Alvarez
•I had no idea the CSS Profile cost money! That's good to know - I'll need to budget for that depending on how many schools she applies to. Thanks for the heads up about possible fee waivers too.
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Angelica Smith
@Theresa Just be mentally prepared for how invasive these financial aid forms feel. They want to know EVERYTHING - your income, savings, home equity (for some schools), even child support. I felt like I needed a financial advisor AND a therapist after filling everything out! 😫 Oh and make SURE you're using the official studentaid.gov site. There are scam sites that charge you to fill out the FAFSA which should always be FREE!
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Mia Alvarez
•Thank you for the warning about scam sites! I would have assumed any FAFSA site was official. I'll make sure to only use studentaid.gov. And yes, I'm definitely not looking forward to sharing all our financial details, but I guess that's just part of the process.
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