Desperately need Alabama-specific FAFSA guidance for dependent status appeal

Not a financial aid counselor but went through something similar with my daughter at Auburn last year. Alabama state grants do require additional verification documents that the federal FAFSA doesn't. You need to complete the Alabama State Grant Verification Form (ASGVF) which is separate from the federal verification process. The SAI calculation differences happen because Alabama uses slightly different income adjustments for their state grants. Have you checked your son's school's financial aid portal? That's usually where Alabama-specific forms appear.

I work in financial aid in Georgia but have some experience with Alabama's system. Each Alabama school handles the verification process differently, but they all follow the same state guidelines. If your son is at a public Alabama university, call their financial aid office directly and ask for their "state grant verification specialist" - most schools have someone dedicated to handling state-specific issues. The federal vs state SAI discrepancy is normal because Alabama includes some additional income factors that federal calculations don't.

just wentthru this mess w/ my kid at Troy State!!! its a NIGHTMARE getting thru to anyone at the aid office there!! the AL state grant thing is different cuz they count your property values in some weird way the federal one doesnt. took me 5 DAYS of calling to get answers!!

I got through to the Alabama Commission on Higher Education after trying for literally two weeks. They explained that for Alabama grants, they include home equity in their calculation which FAFSA doesn't. That might explain the $8K difference you're seeing. But here's what saved me hours of frustration: I used Claimyr to connect with the Federal Student Aid agents (claimyr.com). They have this service that gets you through to actual agents without the hold times. I watched their demo (https://youtu.be/TbC8dZQWYNQ) and was connected to someone who could explain exactly what documents I needed for both federal and Alabama verification. They walked me through how to submit a correction that fixed the dependent status issue. Seriously saved my sanity.

Don't stress too much about the SAI difference, it's common. I had two kids go through Alabama schools (Bama and Jacksonville State) and we had different numbers every year. The Alabama grant verification is handled by each school, not a central office. UAB is actually pretty good about processing these! Just need to keep calling...

I'm a financial aid officer (though not in Alabama). For Alabama-specific FAFSA verification, you need to understand that their state grant program has unique requirements. Here's what you should do: 1. First, request a verification status check from your son's institution (UAB in your case) 2. Ask specifically about the "Alabama Grant Supplement" form which is different from federal verification 3. For dependent status appeals in Alabama, you'll need to submit: - Copy of your most recent state tax return (not just federal) - Alabama Household Verification Worksheet - Any documents supporting special circumstances The SAI difference occurs because Alabama includes home equity and certain retirement accounts in their calculation formula. The priority deadline for Alabama state grants for Fall 2025 is March 15, 2025, so you have time to resolve this if you act quickly.

OMG this is so frustrating!!!! I'm in the EXACT same situation with my son at South Alabama!!! We've been dealing with this verification nightmare for WEEKS and nobody seems to know what's going on. They keep asking for different documents every time we call. I don't understand why Alabama has to make this SO COMPLICATED!!!! The federal FAFSA was hard enough!!!! Sorry I don't have answers but I'm following this thread because we're desperate too.

One other important thing to note: If UAB has already requested verification, make sure you're monitoring your son's student portal AND email for notices. Alabama schools often communicate verification requirements through the school's system rather than through the Federal Student Aid portal. Also, if you resolve the federal verification first, many Alabama schools will simplify the state verification process and potentially just require the additional state forms rather than duplicating documentation efforts.

The Alabama SAI will always differ somewhat from the federal calculation due to the state's inclusion of additional assets (like home equity). However, resolving federal verification will ensure your base financial data is correct. Once that's done, the Alabama differential should only reflect their additional factors, not errors in the underlying data. So yes, definitely resolve the federal side first, then address any remaining state discrepancies afterward with the financial aid office at UAB.