Just got my asset clarification forms from two schools this morning and came here looking for answers - this thread is exactly what I needed! As another first-gen student, I was totally panicking thinking I'd done something wrong or that they were going to reduce my aid. Reading everyone's experiences has been so reassuring. I love all the practical tips about organizing everything in spreadsheets, checking for online portals, and including brief explanations for any differences. It's amazing how much less scary this feels when you realize it's such a normal part of the process for so many students. Thank you to everyone who shared their stories - you're helping more people than you probably realize! Now I feel confident about gathering my statements and getting everything submitted quickly. This community is incredible! 💙

Just wanted to chime in as someone who went through this last year! I totally understand the panic - I was convinced I'd made some huge mistake when I got asset clarification forms from 3 schools. But honestly, it ended up being completely routine. The key things that helped me: 1) I gathered statements showing balances from my exact FAFSA filing date, 2) I organized everything in a folder (both digital and physical copies), and 3) I submitted everything through the schools' online portals when available (much faster than email). My aid packages barely changed - one school adjusted my EFC by like $300, but my grants stayed the same. The whole process took about 2-3 weeks after submission. As a first-gen student myself, I know how overwhelming this stuff can be when you don't have parents who've been through it before. But this thread proves we're definitely not alone! The financial aid system has all these "hidden" steps that nobody really warns you about, but the community here is amazing for sharing real experiences. You've absolutely got this! 🙌

I'm going through the exact same frustrating situation! I've been locked out of my Nelnet account for the past three days trying to make my monthly payment - no verification codes are coming through at all despite my contact information being correct. I was starting to panic thinking it was just my account having issues. This thread has been such a lifesaver though! Reading everyone's experiences has made me realize this is a widespread problem with their authentication system. I'm definitely going to try that automated payment line at 888-486-4722 that so many people have had success with. It's really reassuring to know about the 15-day grace period too - takes some of the pressure off while dealing with their technical issues. It's honestly pretty disappointing that Nelnet hasn't been more transparent about this being a system-wide problem. Without this community sharing solutions and experiences, I would have been completely lost and stressed about potentially missing my payment deadline. Thanks to everyone who took the time to share workarounds and updates here - this is exactly why these communities are so valuable when dealing with servicer technical problems!

I'm dealing with this exact same issue right now! Been locked out of my Nelnet account for the past week trying to make my payment - absolutely no verification codes coming through despite multiple attempts. I was getting really stressed thinking it was just my account, but this thread has been such a relief! Just tried that automated payment line at 888-486-4722 that everyone's recommending and it worked perfectly - got my payment processed in about 5 minutes with a confirmation number. No website login needed at all, just had my account number from my last statement ready. It's really frustrating that Nelnet hasn't been upfront about this being a system-wide authentication issue. If it weren't for this community sharing solutions, I would have been completely panicked about missing my payment deadline and potential credit impact. Thanks to everyone who shared their experiences and workarounds here - this is exactly why these communities are so valuable when servicers fail to communicate properly! Definitely keeping that phone number saved for future payments.

They said they're handling deadline extensions on a case-by-case basis, but are being pretty flexible given the delays. I'd recommend emailing admissions to request an extension if you need one!

As someone who just went through this whole process with my son, I wanted to add a few things that might help! First, definitely fix that FAFSA retirement account error - $180k will make a huge difference in your SAI and potential aid eligibility. Yes, there's a risk of verification, but the potential savings are worth it. For the Texas Tech delays, we found that following up every few days (politely!) helped keep things moving. Also make sure you've submitted your CSS Profile if you're applying for need-based aid - some students forget about that requirement. One tip that saved us: while waiting for the official package, you can get a rough estimate by using Texas Tech's net price calculator with your corrected financial info. It won't be exact but gives you a ballpark to work with for planning purposes. Hang in there - I know the waiting is stressful, but it sounds like packages are finally starting to move!

Reading through this entire thread has been incredibly eye-opening! Lena, you've received such thorough and helpful advice here. As someone who's also preparing to file FAFSA soon, I learned so much about asset reporting complexities that I never knew existed. I think the key takeaways from everyone's advice are really solid: report the $32,000 honestly as an asset, use some for legitimate educational expenses before filing to reduce the reportable amount, research merit-based scholarships that won't be affected by your assets, and definitely explore the professional judgment process with your schools' financial aid offices since this is a one-time windfall. The point about keeping detailed records of educational expenses really resonates with me too - it seems like documentation is crucial whether for verification or potential appeals. And I had no idea about resources like NASFAA or the possibility of consulting with financial planners who specialize in college funding. Your approach of asking questions upfront and being completely transparent is exactly what I'd want to do in your situation. It might feel frustrating that a stroke of luck could impact your aid eligibility, but you're handling it with such integrity and you clearly have a solid plan moving forward. Plus, having $32,000 to help with college expenses is still a huge blessing, even if it affects your aid calculation! Wishing you the best of luck with your FAFSA and college applications!

This has been such a comprehensive and helpful discussion! As someone new to the FAFSA process, I'm amazed at how complex asset reporting can be, but also impressed by how supportive this community is. Lena, I think you've gotten excellent advice here, and your commitment to being completely honest on your FAFSA is really admirable. The suggestion to spend some of the money on legitimate educational expenses before filing is particularly smart - things like a laptop, textbooks, and even tuition deposits can reduce your reportable assets while serving their intended educational purpose. One thing I'd add is that you might want to create a timeline for yourself. Since you're filling out the 2025-2026 FAFSA now, you could strategically make those educational purchases soon, then file your FAFSA to capture the reduced asset balance. Then start researching and applying for merit-based scholarships that won't be affected by your lottery winnings at all. Also, don't forget that many schools have application deadlines for their institutional scholarships that are separate from general admission deadlines. It would be worth checking each school's financial aid website to make sure you don't miss any opportunities. You're handling this situation with such integrity and thoughtfulness - that same approach will definitely serve you well in college. Best of luck with everything!

This thread is absolutely incredible! As someone new to this community, I'm blown away by how much detailed, practical information has been shared here. My friend's daughter has TPS status from Yemen and they've been struggling to figure out the FAFSA process - I'm definitely sharing this entire thread with them. What really strikes me is how much misinformation is still out there about TPS eligibility. It's clear from all the success stories shared here that TPS holders CAN and DO qualify for significant federal aid, yet so many school counselors and even some financial aid offices seem unaware of this. The detailed documentation checklist and verification tips are going to be so valuable for families going through this process. I especially appreciate all the practical advice about timing (starting in October), using the IRS Data Retrieval Tool, keeping detailed records, and having backup resources like emergency aid and scholarships ready. The tip about Claimyr for getting through to federal aid agents is something I never would have known about otherwise. Thank you to everyone who took the time to share their real experiences - both the successes and the challenges. This kind of community support and knowledge sharing makes such a difference for families navigating these complex systems. I'm bookmarking this thread as a resource to share with other families in similar situations!

As a newcomer to this community, I'm so grateful to have found this thread! My cousin has TPS status from Afghanistan and will be starting his senior year of high school in the fall. Reading through all these detailed experiences and success stories has been incredibly encouraging - we had honestly been worried that his TPS status would disqualify him from federal aid entirely. The comprehensive document checklist and step-by-step guidance shared here is exactly what we needed. I'm already helping him gather his EAD card, I-821 approval notice, and making sure his Social Security card doesn't have work restrictions. The tip about name consistency across all documents is something I never would have considered but makes perfect sense. I'm especially grateful for the realistic timeline expectations and the heads-up about potential verification delays. We're definitely planning to submit his FAFSA as soon as it opens in October to give ourselves maximum time to resolve any issues that might come up. One question for this knowledgeable community - has anyone had experience with Afghan TPS specifically? I'm wondering if there are any unique considerations or resources we should be aware of given the recent changes in Afghanistan's situation and the various evacuation programs that have been in place. Thank you all for creating such an informative and supportive space for families navigating these complex processes!