FAFSA SAI discrepancy: Same family gets Pell for one kid but not the other - 2k difference?

Same thing happened to us last year! So annoying

This is actually more common than you'd think. A few things to check: (1) Did you use the same exact numbers on both applications? Even small differences in reporting can change the SAI calculation. (2) Did you list both children as dependents on both applications? Sometimes people accidentally leave one child off. (3) Are both colleges participating in the same federal programs? Some institutions have different requirements for Pell eligibility. (4) Are they attending the same college? Different colleges have different Cost of Attendance which affects aid packaging.

Wait did you fill out both FAFSAs on the same day?? I heard from my sons counselor that they use different data depending on when u submit it. Like if stock market changed or something idk

The FAFSA system is absolutely RIDICULOUS this year! My twins both got completely different packages despite identical applications. Called the Federal Student Aid hotline SEVENTEEN TIMES and either got disconnected or was on hold for hours!!! The one time I got through the agent had NO EXPLANATION for the discrepancy! They just said "that's how the system calculated it" and to file a correction. Filed the correction and now waiting ANOTHER 6 weeks for processing. The whole system is designed to make us give up!!!

After trying to reach someone at Federal Student Aid for 3 weeks (and getting disconnected multiple times), I finally got through using Claimyr. It let me skip the hold time, and I finally got an actual explanation for our SAI discrepancy. Turns out there was an issue with how our retirement accounts were counted on one application but not the other. Apparently, they had some system issues with the new form. Check out their demo at https://youtu.be/TbC8dZQWYNQ - it saved me hours of frustration. You just go to claimyr.com and they connect you directly to a FAFSA agent.

i think i no whats happening. when i filed for my kids the fafsa person told me that they changed how they count siblings in college this year. it used to help your SAI but now it doesnt do anything. mayb one application had the old rules and one had the new rules since they switched something in december? just guessing tho lol

Financial aid counselor here. The issue is almost certainly related to the FAFSA Simplification Act implementation. The Department of Education had to phase in certain changes, which created a situation where applications processed at different times might use slightly different formulas. Specifically, the multiple-in-college adjustment was modified. Previously, having multiple students in college would significantly reduce your EFC (now SAI). The new formula eliminated this benefit. Here's what to do: 1. Request a professional judgment review at BOTH institutions 2. Provide documentation showing both students are enrolled 3. Specifically reference the transition between FAFSA formulas 4. Be persistent - this is a known issue this award cycle The $2,300 difference is right in line with what we're seeing for families affected by this transition issue.

Update: I spoke with someone at Federal Student Aid (finally!) and they confirmed it was due to the FAFSA Simplification Act changes that happened between when I submitted the two applications. The November application was processed under transitional rules that still gave some benefit for multiple students in college, while the January application used the new formula that eliminated this benefit. They advised me to file a correction on both applications and then contact each school's financial aid office for a professional judgment review. The aid officer said many families are in this situation this year due to the transition. Thanks everyone for your help!

Thanks for sharing your experience and the update! This is such valuable information for other families going through the same thing. I'm dealing with a similar situation where my two kids got different aid packages despite identical family circumstances. It's incredibly frustrating that the Department of Education didn't communicate these transition issues more clearly to families. We're basically finding out about these formula changes after the fact when our aid packages don't make sense. I'm definitely going to follow your advice and file corrections for both applications, then request professional judgment reviews. Did the schools' financial aid offices seem familiar with this issue when you contacted them?