Adding multiple colleges to FAFSA while waiting for early decision - Will this affect my chances?
I'm stressing out about my FAFSA strategy! I applied early decision to my dream school (fingers crossed 🤞), but I'm wondering if I should add other colleges to my FAFSA while I wait to hear back. Will the early decision school see that I've listed other colleges and think I'm not serious about them? And does the order matter? I've heard rumors that schools can see who you listed first and might offer less aid if they're not your top choice. Anyone know if this is true or just another FAFSA myth floating around?
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Ava Thompson
You can absolutely add additional colleges to your FAFSA while waiting for early decision results. Schools cannot see which other institutions you've listed on your FAFSA, only that you've listed them. The order used to matter in previous FAFSA versions, but with the new FAFSA Simplification Act, the order no longer affects how colleges view your application. Each school only sees that you've included them, not their position in your list or what other schools you've selected. My recommendation: add all schools you're considering. It saves time if your early decision doesn't work out, and there's genuinely no penalty.
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Dmitry Ivanov
•Thank you SO much! That's such a relief. I was really worried about looking disloyal to my ED school. One more question - is there a limit to how many schools I can add? I have about 8 backup options.
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Miguel Herrera
omg i heard the EXACT opposite from my cousin who works in financial aid!! she said colleges totally can see where they rank and they give less money if ur not listing them 1st!!
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Ava Thompson
•That information is outdated. Prior to the 2024-2025 FAFSA redesign, schools could see their position in your list, but that's no longer the case with the new FAFSA. Each school only sees that they're on your list, not where they rank or what other schools you've selected.
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Miguel Herrera
•oh really?? nobody tells me anything lol. thx for clearing that up!
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Zainab Ali
I just went through this exact situation with my son last year. The new FAFSA lets you list up to 20 schools (the old one was 10), and the order doesn't matter at all anymore. What you should know is that if you get accepted ED, you're committed to that school anyway, so the others become irrelevant. But until then, absolutely list all your options - it makes the financial aid process much smoother if you need those backups. One practical tip: After you submit your FAFSA with your schools listed, double-check your SAI (Student Aid Index) calculation. This number is what determines your aid eligibility, and it's worth understanding before your award letters start coming in.
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Dmitry Ivanov
•That's really helpful! I didn't realize the limit was 20 schools now. And I'll definitely check the SAI when it comes through. Do you know how long it takes to get the SAI after submitting?
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Zainab Ali
•In my experience, it takes about 3-5 days to get your SAI after submitting, though I've heard some people get it faster. Just make sure all your information is entered correctly - any errors can delay the process significantly.
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Connor Murphy
The whole system is designed to TRAP students!! They SAY the order doesn't matter but I know for a FACT my daughter got less money from her 3rd choice than her 1st choice even though our financial situation was IDENTICAL!!!! It's all a scam to make you pay more!!!!!
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Ava Thompson
•Schools have different financial aid formulas and budgets, which explains the difference in awards. Some schools are more generous than others, regardless of where you list them. Your daughter's 1st choice might simply have more aid resources than her 3rd choice. The listing order itself wasn't the factor.
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Connor Murphy
•Maybe, but I still think the whole system is rigged against middle class families. We make just enough to not qualify for need-based aid but nowhere near enough to actually pay these insane tuition bills!!
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Yara Nassar
Has anyone actually tried calling the Federal Student Aid office about this? I spent 3 hours on hold trying to ask this exact question last week and never got through.
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StarGazer101
•I had the same problem trying to reach them! After getting disconnected twice, I found this service called Claimyr that got me through to a FAFSA agent in about 15 minutes. They basically hold your place in line and call you when an agent is available. Saved me hours of frustration! You can see how it works at claimyr.com or check out their demo video: https://youtu.be/TbC8dZQWYNQ
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Keisha Jackson
i put like 7 schools on mine and then added 3 more later its nbd
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Dmitry Ivanov
•Thanks! How hard was it to add schools later? Did you have to completely redo the application?
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Keisha Jackson
•nah super easy just log in go to your fafsa and theres a button to edit school list took like 2 minutes
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Yara Nassar
When I filled out my FAFSA last month, I talked to my counselor who said to list schools in alphabetical order if you're paranoid about it, but she also said the new system doesn't show schools your ranking anymore. I listed all 12 schools I applied to and got similar aid packages from most of them.
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Dmitry Ivanov
•That's what I've been hearing too. It's such a relief to know they can't see the other schools or the order. Thanks for sharing your experience!
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Miguel Herrera
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??
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Zainab Ali
•Because Early Decision isn't guaranteed acceptance. If you don't get in, you'll need to apply to other schools. Having them already on your FAFSA saves time later. And sometimes even with an ED acceptance, the financial aid package might not be what you need, which could be grounds for being released from the ED commitment.
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Dmitry Ivanov
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!
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