FAFSA campus code confusion - risk of losing scholarships after acceptance?

This happens a lot this time of year! Schools often send automated reminders about FAFSA regardless of whether you've completed it. However, there are a few things you should check: 1. Log into studentaid.gov and verify your daughter's FAFSA shows as "processed" not just "submitted" 2. Check if the SAI (Student Aid Index) calculation is complete 3. Confirm the exact school codes are listed in the "School Selection" section 4. Make sure the schools can actually see her FAFSA by checking the "FAFSA status" section on each school's financial aid portal If all these look good, call each school's financial aid office directly. Sometimes there's a technical glitch where the FAFSA information isn't properly connecting to their systems.

omg same thing happened to my son last year!! The schools kept sending those threatening emails even tho we had their codes in FAFSA for MONTHS. Super annoying. turned out it was just their automated system and everything was actually fine. But definitely call to make sure!!!

This is a common issue, and there are several possibilities: 1. There might be a communication lag between the FAFSA system and the schools' financial aid systems. This typically resolves within 3-7 business days. 2. Your daughter's FAFSA might require verification, which is essentially an audit where you need to provide additional documentation. About 30% of FAFSA applications are selected for verification. 3. The schools may want your daughter to complete their own institutional financial aid forms in addition to FAFSA. Many schools require their own supplemental forms, especially for scholarship recipients. 4. There could be a CSS Profile requirement that's separate from FAFSA. Check if any of these schools also require the CSS Profile. I recommend checking each school's financial aid portal using the student login credentials they provided with acceptance letters. If you can't access their portals, call their financial aid offices directly.

I had this exact problem last year with my son's applications. Turns out the schools WERE receiving his FAFSA but they wanted him to complete their specific financial aid forms as well - these were separate forms on their financial aid portals. Check your daughter's student portals for each school (usually they email login instructions after acceptance) and look for any "to-do" lists or outstanding requirements. Each school has different requirements and deadlines for scholarships!

The financial aid system is SO BROKEN. I went through this nightmare with both my kids. Schools send these threatening emails about losing aid when they already have your info, but their systems don't talk to each other properly. Then when you try calling the financial aid office, you sit on hold for HOURS only to get disconnected. It's RIDICULOUS that they put families through this stress. My advice? Document EVERYTHING. Screenshot your completed FAFSA showing the school codes. Then email those screenshots to the financial aid offices with your confirmation numbers. Don't trust their broken systems.

Try using Claimyr to get through to the financial aid offices faster. I was stuck in the same situation last year and wasted days trying to get someone on the phone. Found claimyr.com which got me through to actual humans at the financial aid offices without the crazy wait times. They have a demo video at https://youtu.be/TbC8dZQWYNQ that shows how it works. Saved me so much stress when dealing with this exact issue!

make sure to check ur email spam folder too!! my nephew nearly lost his scholarship bc the school sent a bunch of followup emails that went to spam asking for extra verification docs

Based on your responses to other comments, it sounds like you're dealing with two separate issues: 1. Schools that require additional institutional forms (which you found on two portals) 2. Schools with confusing portals where requirements aren't clear For the confusing portals, look specifically for sections labeled: - "Financial Aid Requirements" - "To-Do List" - "Outstanding Documents" - "Required Documents" Also, check if any are requesting verification documents. Common verification requests include: - Income verification forms - Tax return transcripts - W-2 statements - Family size verification If you truly can't figure it out through the portals, calling is unfortunately your best option. Financial aid offices are swamped this time of year, but this is too important to leave to chance.

So glad you got it sorted out! This is exactly why I always tell families to expect the unexpected with financial aid - even when you think you've done everything right, there's often some additional step or form that schools require. The CSS Profile is such a common "gotcha" because not all schools are clear about requiring it alongside FAFSA. Your experience will definitely help other families going through the same panic! Congrats on securing those scholarships - that's amazing that 3 out of 4 schools offered her aid!