FAFSA approved but university denied aid because we have no ITIN or tax returns - urgent help needed

the finacial aid office should have a process for this! my cousin had the same problem last year bcuz his parents dont have social security #s. ask for a 'special circumstances form' or 'non-filer documentation'. different schools call it different things

This is actually a common situation for families without ITINs. The university needs to verify the income information you provided on the FAFSA. Since you don't have tax returns, you'll need to submit alternative documentation. Most schools have a process called 'Verification for Non-Tax Filers' which includes: 1. A non-filer statement (the school should provide this form) 2. Documentation of any income received (like W-2s or pay stubs) 3. A letter explaining your situation regarding lack of ITINs You should contact the financial aid office immediately and ask specifically about their non-tax filer verification process. Your daughter won't necessarily lose all her aid, but the process needs to be completed before they can disburse funds.

OMG this SAME thing happened to us with my son!!! The university kept sending us emails asking for tax transcripts we couldn't provide. We were FREAKING OUT for weeks and his fall aid was delayed by almost a month. It was a NIGHTMARE trying to get someone at the financial aid office who actually understood our situation!!!

You should know that you're still eligible to apply for ITINs even now. While it won't solve your immediate financial aid issue (ITIN applications typically take 7-11 weeks to process), it could help for future academic years. For your current situation, here's what you need to do: 1. Request the university's 'Verification of Non-Filing' form 2. Submit a statement explaining why you don't have ITINs or tax returns 3. Provide alternative income documentation (pay stubs, employer letters) 4. Ask about the university's institutional aid options that might have different requirements Many schools have emergency aid funds specifically for cases where federal aid is delayed. Ask about these resources too.

I tried calling the Federal Student Aid helpline about a similar issue for my daughter and spent HOURS on hold only to get disconnected. So frustrating! Finally I tried using Claimyr (claimyr.com) to get through - they called and waited on hold for me then connected me when an agent was available. Saved me so much time! They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/TbC8dZQWYNQ

The federal SAI (Student Aid Index) calculation doesn't actually require tax returns to be filed - it requires income information, which you can provide through alternative documentation. This is a common misconception. The problem is that universities often have their own verification procedures that go beyond federal requirements. Make sure you're clear about which aid is being held up - is it federal grants like Pell, or is it the university's institutional aid? They might have different requirements for each type of aid. Sometimes you can get the federal portion released while still working on documentation for institutional scholarships.

why did u wait so long to deal with this?? my brother went thru this same thing but we started the process in JANUARY when we first applied. now ur stressed about 3 weeks deadline? shoulda planned better honestly

Just an update based on the conversation: once you get your documentation sorted out with the university, double-check that your daughter's aid package includes all components she's eligible for. Sometimes when there are verification delays, students miss out on first-come-first-served aid like Federal Work-Study or certain institutional grants. Ask the financial aid office to review her entire eligibility once the verification is complete.

I work at a university financial aid office and see this situation frequently. Here's what I recommend doing immediately: 1. Schedule an in-person appointment (don't just call) with a senior financial aid counselor - ask specifically for someone experienced with non-filer cases 2. Bring ALL income documentation you have: pay stubs, bank statements showing regular deposits, any 1099s if you received them, employer letters on company letterhead stating your wages 3. Ask for the "Verification of Non-Filing" form AND the "Statement of Educational Purpose" - you'll need both 4. Request that they process any federal aid (Pell Grant, Direct Loans) that doesn't require additional verification while you complete the documentation for other aid Most importantly: explain that you're willing to provide alternative documentation and ask what specific forms they need. Don't let them just say "we need tax returns" - push for the alternative process. Every school is required to have procedures for non-filers. If the first person you speak with seems confused, ask to speak with their supervisor. You've got this!