FAFSA academic year confusion: Medical withdrawal freshman - do I select 1st or 2nd year when reapplying?

it depends on how many credits transferred, right? like if she got 15 credits that's still freshman I think. My cousin had to leave for family stuff halfway thru and when he went back, they still labeled him as freshman since he didnt have enough for sophomore status

The answer depends on what her official academic standing will be when she returns. FAFSA grade level should match the academic level according to the school's records. Most universities require 30+ credits to be classified as a sophomore, so with only 15 credits completed, she would likely be considered a 1st year student (freshman) for both academic and financial aid purposes. I recommend you check your daughter's student portal or transcript to confirm her official academic standing. That's the status you should enter on the FAFSA form. Entering the incorrect grade level could potentially delay processing or require corrections later.

Sending good vibes to your daughter! Mental health is so important. My son went through something similar his first year. TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF TOO!!

Does anyone know if this affects her SAI calculation at all? Like does FAFSA treat freshmen vs sophomores differently when calculating aid packages? I had a situation where my aid dropped from year 1 to year 2 and I never understood why.

OMG calling the school is a NIGHTMARE right now. I tried for THREE DAYS to reach financial aid because I had a similar question. Kept getting disconnected or waiting for hours!!

One additional important point: make sure your daughter applies for a Return from Medical Leave with her school's Dean of Students office BEFORE the deadline. Many schools have specific procedures for students returning from medical withdrawals, including documentation from healthcare providers certifying they're ready to return. This is separate from the FAFSA process but equally important for ensuring a smooth transition back to school.

Not trying to scare u, but when my niece went back after medical leave, her scholarship was affected. Might wanna check with financial aid about that specifically.

To directly answer your original question: Based on federal guidelines for the 2025-2026 FAFSA, you should list your daughter's grade level as it will be when she begins the 2025-2026 academic year. With 15 credits completed, she would be classified as a 1st year undergraduate (freshman) since most institutions require 30+ credits for sophomore standing. Please be aware that the new FAFSA uses the Student Aid Index (SAI) instead of the old Expected Family Contribution (EFC). This change affects how aid is calculated, but grade level designation still follows the same rules as before. Enter her status accurately to ensure proper loan eligibility limits, as these vary by year in school.

Glad to see the responses here! I wanted to add that you should also check if your daughter qualifies for any special circumstances adjustments on her FAFSA. Medical issues that impact a student's ability to attend school can sometimes be considered for professional judgment reviews. This would need to be done AFTER you submit the FAFSA, by contacting the financial aid office directly.

Just wanted to chime in as someone who works in financial aid - you've gotten some great advice here! One thing I'd add is to make sure you save a copy of her medical withdrawal documentation. If any questions come up during aid verification or if you need to appeal aid decisions later, having that paperwork readily available can be really helpful. Also, once she's back and settled, encourage her to connect with the disability services office at her school - they often have resources and accommodations that can help prevent future academic disruptions due to mental health challenges. Wishing your daughter all the best on her return!

I went through something very similar with my son two years ago! He had to take a medical leave for mental health reasons after completing his first semester. When we filled out the FAFSA for his return, we listed him as a 1st year student since he only had about 14 credits completed - not enough for sophomore status. The key thing is to match whatever his official academic standing will be according to the registrar's office when he returns. Also, definitely reach out to the financial aid office once you submit the FAFSA to discuss his situation. They were incredibly understanding about my son's circumstances and helped us navigate some additional options we didn't even know existed. It's tough as a parent watching them go through this, but taking time to focus on mental health was the best decision we made. Your daughter is lucky to have such a supportive parent advocating for her!