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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.
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.
Great news that it's processed! For the SAI calculation breakdown, log into the student's account (not the parent account) on studentaid.gov and look for the SAI details or summary page. It should show the factors that went into the calculation. \n\nIf the number seems off, check if any assets were reported incorrectly or if there was an error in how retirement accounts were listed. Home equity isn't counted in FAFSA, but other investments are, which sometimes surprises families.
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 \
Ellie Simpson
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.
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Ryder Greene
•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.
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Theodore Nelson
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!!!
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Ryder Greene
•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!
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