I'm having the exact same problem with Nelnet right now! I've been trying to access my account for the past three days to make my payment, but no verification codes are coming through at all - not via text or email. I've checked spam folders, tried different browsers, even cleared my cache multiple times. Nothing works! Reading through all these comments has been such a relief though - I was starting to think it was just my account having issues. It's frustrating that Nelnet hasn't sent out any official notice about this being a system-wide problem with their authentication system. I'm definitely going to try that automated payment line at 888-486-4722 that so many people have recommended. It sounds like that's been the most reliable workaround while their verification system is down. Really appreciate everyone sharing their experiences and solutions here - this community is amazing for helping each other navigate these servicer headaches! Also good to know about the 15-day grace period so I don't have to panic about my credit score while dealing with their technical issues. Thanks everyone!

I'm dealing with this exact same issue right now! Been trying to log into my Nelnet account for the past 4 days to make my payment and absolutely no verification codes are coming through - I've checked everything from spam folders to trying different devices. It's such a relief to find this thread and realize it's not just me going crazy! Just tried that automated payment line at 888-486-4722 that everyone's been recommending and it worked perfectly! Got my payment processed in about 6 minutes with a confirmation number. No website login needed at all - just had my account number ready from my last statement. It's really frustrating that Nelnet hasn't been transparent about this being a system-wide authentication problem. Without this community sharing solutions, I would have been completely stressed about missing my payment deadline. This is exactly why these forums are so valuable when dealing with servicer technical issues. Thanks to everyone who shared their workarounds and experiences - you've all been lifesavers! Definitely keeping that phone number saved for future reference in case this happens again.

Just wanted to add a quick tip that saved me a lot of stress last year - set up a simple tracking system for all your schools! I made a basic spreadsheet with columns for school name, FAFSA received date, expected aid package timeline (you can call and ask!), portal login info, and notes. It helped me stay organized without going crazy checking everything constantly. Also, don't be surprised if some schools send you emails asking for additional documents (like tax transcripts or verification forms) before they can finalize your aid package. This is totally normal and doesn't mean anything is wrong - they're just being thorough. The key is responding to these requests quickly so it doesn't delay your package. One last thing - if you're really anxious about the timeline, most financial aid offices have their phone hours posted online and the counselors are usually pretty friendly about giving you a realistic timeline for your specific situation. I called 3 of my schools just to get a sense of when to expect things and it really helped calm my nerves! You're doing everything right by submitting early and staying on top of it. The waiting is brutal but you'll have all your options soon enough! 🎯

Hey! Just wanted to add something that really helped me when I was in your shoes - don't forget to check if any of your schools offer "early estimator" tools or pre-award calculators! Some colleges will actually give you a preliminary estimate based on your FAFSA data before sending the official package. Also, here's something I wish someone had told me: if you're applying for any merit-based scholarships directly through the schools (separate from need-based aid), those timelines can be completely different and sometimes come way earlier or later than your FAFSA-based aid. So you might get pleasant surprises trickling in at unexpected times! One more thing - make sure you understand each school's policy on outside scholarships. Some will reduce your need-based aid dollar-for-dollar if you win external scholarships, while others have more student-friendly policies. It's worth asking about when you call their financial aid offices. You're handling this really well by being proactive and asking all the right questions. The fact that you're already thinking about timing and organization puts you way ahead of the game! 🌟

This thread has been such a goldmine of information! I'm dealing with a very similar situation - my husband pays $1,050/month in child support for his daughter from a previous marriage, and we're navigating college planning for my stepdaughter who'll be starting fall 2026. Our combined income is about $69K, which puts us in that tricky spot where we look "too wealthy" on paper but are actually stretched thin after the support payments. Reading through everyone's experiences, especially learning about the Professional Judgment process from @LunarEclipse and seeing the success stories from @Fatima Al-Mansour and @CaptainAwesome, has given me so much hope. I had no idea schools could make adjustments beyond the standard FAFSA calculation! I'm definitely going to start gathering all our court documents and payment records now. One question for those who've been through this - did you find it helpful to contact financial aid offices before submitting applications, or is it better to wait until after you've been accepted? Thanks to everyone for sharing your experiences - this community has been incredible!

This thread has been absolutely amazing to read through! I'm in a very similar situation - my spouse pays $1,200/month in child support for three kids from a previous marriage (exactly like what the original poster mentioned), and we're preparing for our daughter's college journey. Our household income is around $64K, so we're definitely in that challenging middle-income bracket where we look "comfortable" on paper but struggle after the support payments. Reading through all these real experiences has been so educational - I had no idea about the child support deduction on FAFSA or the Professional Judgment process that @LunarEclipse explained. The success stories from @Fatima Al-Mansour and @CaptainAwesome give me real hope that we can get our actual financial situation properly considered. I'm planning to start gathering all our documentation (court orders, payment records, bank statements) right away and be proactive about contacting financial aid offices. It's incredible how this community has transformed what felt like a hopeless financial aid situation into something we can actually navigate strategically. Thank you all for being so generous with sharing your knowledge and experiences!

I'm a college counselor and want to add a few more federal aid options that haven't been mentioned yet. First, make sure your daughter applies for Federal Work-Study through her school's financial aid office - this provides part-time jobs (usually on-campus) where she can earn money specifically for college expenses, and the earnings don't count against financial aid eligibility for the following year. Second, look into Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants (FSEOG). These are campus-based grants of $100-$4,000 per year that don't need to be repaid. They're awarded by individual schools to students with exceptional financial need, but the criteria can vary by institution. Even though your SAI might seem "too high" for some aid, it's worth asking about since each school has discretion in how they award these funds. Also, encourage your daughter to maintain good academic standing once enrolled. Many schools have retention scholarships or dean's list awards that kick in after the first semester or year. Some students actually end up with more aid in their sophomore year than freshman year through these merit-based institutional awards. Finally, don't forget about tax benefits beyond the American Opportunity Tax Credit - the Lifetime Learning Credit and tuition/fees deduction might also apply depending on your situation. Every bit of tax savings can be redirected toward education costs.

As a newcomer to this community, I'm finding this thread incredibly informative! I'm in a similar situation with my son who's a high school senior. One additional option I discovered is checking if your daughter's intended college participates in any consortium agreements with other institutions. Some schools have partnerships where students can take classes at multiple campuses or even complete part of their degree at a less expensive partner school while still getting the diploma from their preferred institution. This could potentially reduce overall costs while still achieving her educational goals. Also, has anyone mentioned appealing directly to the college's board of trustees or president's office? I know it sounds intimidating, but some families have had success writing compelling letters explaining their unique financial circumstances directly to top administrators. Sometimes they have discretionary funds or special programs that aren't widely publicized. The community college + transfer route mentioned earlier really shouldn't be dismissed either. Many states have guaranteed transfer agreements that ensure all credits transfer seamlessly, and some even have "reverse transfer" programs where students can earn their associate's degree retroactively after completing their bachelor's. Thank you everyone for sharing such detailed strategies - this thread should be required reading for all parents navigating college financing!

Update: Just got my Student Aid Report this morning! It confirms my SAI is -1500. Now waiting to hear from my schools about their specific packages. Thanks everyone for your help with understanding what this means!

Awesome that you got your SAR so quickly! With a -1500 SAI, you're definitely in a strong position. Just wanted to add - when you get your award letters from schools, don't be afraid to appeal if the package isn't quite enough. Many schools have appeals processes where you can explain special circumstances or request more institutional aid. Also, if you have multiple offers, schools will sometimes match or beat competing offers. Good luck with everything!