btw has anyone told u to check if ur eligible for state financial aid too? some states have separate programs for students who don't qualify for federal aid for various reasons. virginia might have something!

UPDATE: I've made some progress! I spoke with the financial aid office at my new university, and they were surprisingly helpful. The counselor said they've handled several cases like mine before. I'm putting together a documentation package with: 1. My personal statement 2. Letter from my employer 3. Letter from my Medicaid caseworker 4. Letter from a professor who's been mentoring me online 5. My lease, bills, and tax returns showing self-sufficiency The financial aid counselor also mentioned they have some institutional funds they can use to help students in unique situations, even if the FAFSA override isn't approved. I'm feeling much more hopeful now! Thank you all for the advice and support.

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!!!!!

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!

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 \

That's good to know as a backup plan. I'm hoping the electronic correction works, but I'll keep this in mind if we run into more issues. Thanks!

the SAI is that new thing right? i thought we still used EFC? this whole new FAFSA system is so confusing ugh

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...

The whole FAFSA process is DESIGNED to be difficult to discourage people from applying. Change my mind. They don't want to give out aid so they make the process as painful as possible. Notice how the glitches ALWAYS get fixed right AFTER the priority deadlines pass? 🤔

UPDATE: Thanks everyone for the helpful suggestions! I ended up following the advice to use a desktop computer with Chrome, and that solved my problem. For anyone else struggling with this issue, here's what worked: 1. Used Windows laptop (not iPad/mobile) 2. Cleared browser cache completely 3. Disabled Chrome autofill 4. Used keyboard Tab key to navigate between fields I was finally able to enter the correct DOB and complete my application. Now fingers crossed for a decent aid package!