Thank you everyone for all this helpful info! I just created an account on studentaid.gov and started my FAFSA application. You were right that it's pretty straightforward once you're on the official site. I'm going to ask my financial aid office about workshops too. Really appreciate all the advice - this has been stressing me out for weeks!

Great job taking action! One last tip: create an FSA ID for both yourself and your parent (if you're a dependent student) before starting the actual FAFSA. It can take 1-3 days for the IDs to be fully activated, and you need them to sign electronically. Good luck!

One important thing to note is that after making any corrections, there will be a processing period before your updated SAI is calculated. This typically takes 3-5 business days, though it can sometimes take longer during peak periods. Since you mentioned scholarship deadlines, make sure you plan for this processing time. Also, for future reference, if you're making multiple corrections, it's best to make them all at once rather than submitting several separate correction requests, as each new submission restarts the processing clock.

Thank you everyone for the helpful responses! We successfully made the correction through my son's student account yesterday. He was able to access both his own income section and could have changed our parent information too if needed. We both had to re-sign with our FSA IDs after making the change. Now we're just waiting for the updated SAI calculation. Fingers crossed it processes quickly since one of his scholarship applications needs the updated info by next Friday!

this is so confusing why does FAFSA have to make everything so complicated?? the whole point of early decision is that ur committing to that school so why would you even need to add more??

Thank you all SO much for the helpful answers! I feel much better now about adding all my potential schools to my FAFSA. I'm going to go ahead and add all 8 backups while I wait for my early decision result. Nice to know the 20 school limit gives me plenty of room and that schools can't see the others or my ranking order. This takes a huge weight off my shoulders!

My situation was reversed - had good income when my kid started college then lost my job sophomore year. Had to do something called Professional Judgment Review with the financial aid office where they adjusted the FAFSA based on current year income instead of past tax returns. Maybe they can do something similar for increases too?

ALSO watch out for the CSS Profile if your kid's school requires it!!! It asks for WAY more financial info than FAFSA and calculates aid differently. Home equity, retirement accounts, etc can all factor in depending on the school. Some schools are SUPER stingy with aid thru that system.

Thanks everyone for the helpful info! I just called the culinary school, and they ARE on the TOPS eligible list (it's connected to a community college). The financial aid office also confirmed their priority deadline is February 15, 2025. So our plan now is: 1. Complete FAFSA as soon as it opens December 1 2. Set up the Louisiana Award System account 3. Verify with her high school that they'll submit all TOPS requirements 4. Double-check everything for accuracy to avoid verification delays Am I missing anything else?

My nephew did the TOPS thing and it was a DISASTER. They kept changing requirements and he lost funding after freshman year. Don't count on it staying consistent for all 4 years. Make sure you have a backup plan!!!