Confused after FAFSA submission - what do I do now that I can see my SAI amount?

The good news is you've already done the hardest part! Once you've submitted the FAFSA and listed your schools, the system automatically sends your information to those schools. Each school will receive your SAI (Student Aid Index) and use it to determine your financial aid package. There's no need to send them anything else regarding your FAFSA specifically. However, keep an eye on your email and your student portals for each school. Many institutions require additional documentation for verification, and they'll contact you if they need anything else. Some schools also require the CSS Profile in addition to FAFSA for institutional aid.

congrats on finishing! make sure to check ur email A LOT now. schools might need more stuff from u for verification. happened to me last yr and almost missed the deadline cuz i didnt see the email for like 3 weeks lol

You've got good advice here already, but I'll add that you should also create accounts on each college's applicant portal if you haven't already. Many schools communicate primarily through their own systems rather than email. The timeline varies by school, but most will start sending financial aid packages between February and April for the fall semester. Also, if your SAI is lower than you expected or your family's financial situation has changed since you submitted the FAFSA, you can request a professional judgment review (sometimes called an appeal) from each school's financial aid office. This is especially important if you've had major changes like job loss, medical expenses, or other financial hardships.

dont forget that some private schools require the css profile too!! fafsa isnt the only form for a lot of schools. check each schools financial aid website to make sure u didnt miss anything!

When I submitted my FAFSA last year it took FOREVER for someone to actually contact me about anything. I kept checking my emails daily and nothing for like 6 weeks!!! Then suddenly I got like 5 different colleges all sending me stuff at once asking for tax verification and parent info confirmation. It was super stressful because some had deadlines that were coming up fast. I ended up having to call the financial aid office at 3 different schools because I was so confused about what they needed. Every single time I tried to call I got put on hold for like an hour+ and sometimes got disconnected. It was INFURIATING.

Everyone here is giving great advice! One thing I'd add - make a spreadsheet to keep track of all the different requirements and deadlines for each school. Some will want additional forms, others might request verification documents, and the deadlines can vary widely. Also, don't assume that your financial aid package will be the same at each school! Even with the same SAI, different institutions have different formulas for calculating aid. Public universities typically have less institutional aid than private colleges, but private schools often have higher sticker prices. If you have specific questions about your aid package once you receive it, don't hesitate to call the financial aid office at that school. They can often explain the breakdown and suggest additional options if needed.

after u submit fafsa ur basically done BUT sometimes they select ppl for verification randomly which is super annoying. they made me upload like all my parents tax docs and w-2s and stuff. just keep checking ur email and school portals. if u don't hear anything in like a month maybe call to check

Since you asked about timelines in a previous comment - schools typically receive your FAFSA information within 3-5 business days after it's processed. Most schools will start sending financial aid award letters in March/April for the fall semester, though some may send them earlier, especially if you've been accepted through early decision or early action. Regarding your concern about your SAI being higher than expected - that's not uncommon with the new FAFSA system. The 2024-2025 FAFSA uses a different formula than previous years. If you're concerned, you can always schedule an appointment with a financial aid counselor at your top choice schools to discuss your specific situation once you receive your aid packages. They can often explain why your SAI is what it is and suggest potential options.

btw check if any of ur schools have priority deadlines for institutional scholarships!!! some colleges have separate applications for their own scholarships with deadlines BEFORE you even get ur financial aid package. i missed out on applying for some because i didn't know about them until it was too late