FAFSA not asking for child support or asset information - did I miss something?

The simplified FAFSA doesn't ask about assets or child support for many applicants now. If your income is below a certain threshold or you receive means-tested benefits like SNAP or Medicaid (which you mentioned), the system automatically qualifies you for simplified needs assessment. This means you don't need to report assets including bank accounts. Child support received is still considered income though, so you should have reported that in the income section. Did you see a place to enter 'untaxed income'?

I had the EXACT same problem!!! the application is soooo different this year and i was freaking out because it never asked bout my savings account which has like $1,200 in it. i called the hotline and they hung up on me twice lol

This is intentional with the new FAFSA. If you qualified for means-tested federal benefits like SNAP, WIC, or Medicaid, you automatically qualify for simplified needs assessment. The system won't ask about assets if you're in this category. For child support received, this should be reported in the "untaxed income" section. If you don't see this section, you might need to go back to the income portion. Child support is important to report as it affects your SAI calculation significantly. I'd recommend reviewing the income sections carefully before submitting. There should be a place to enter "other untaxed income" or something similar where child support belongs.

The ENTIRE system is broken!!! I spent 3 HOURS trying to report my daughter's 529 college savings account and it never asked! Then my ex's child support payments aren't showing up anywhere either. How are they supposed to calculate aid correctly if they don't know about half our finances? This redesign is a DISASTER and nobody can get through on the phone lines!!

my sister did hers last week and had the same thing happen. she gets medicaid for her kids and it never asked about her checking account at all. she submitted it anyway and got her sai number 2 days later so i think its fine

To answer your follow-up question: No, don't select "none of the above" if you actually receive those benefits. That would be incorrect and might lead to a more complicated application process. The system is working as designed by skipping asset questions for benefit recipients. For child support: Go back to the income section and look for something like "Additional Financial Information" or "Untaxed Income." The exact wording varies, but there should be a field for reporting income not on your tax forms. Child support belongs there. If you truly can't find it, take screenshots of each page and call FSA for assistance.

wait so if im on medicaid i dont have to report my bank account?? is that new for this years fafsa?? last year i had to put in everything!

Glad you found the child support section! Just to clarify for everyone: 1. If you receive federal benefits (Medicaid, SNAP, WIC, etc), the new FAFSA automatically gives you the Simplified Needs Assessment which ignores most assets 2. Child support received is still counted as untaxed income and must be reported 3. The asset questions will be skipped entirely on the form if you qualify for simplification - this is NOT an error The changes are actually beneficial for most families, even though the transition is causing confusion. Your SAI (Student Aid Index) will generally be lower without assets being considered.

Just to address the last comment: There are multiple ways to qualify for the simplified formula. Benefits are one way, but income below certain thresholds is another. If your friend's family income is below about $60,000 AND they filed certain tax forms (like 1040 with standard deduction), they would also qualify for simplified treatment without reporting benefits. The new FAFSA is definitely causing confusion, but in many ways, it's more streamlined. Always double-check your SAI calculation when you receive it, and don't be afraid to ask for professional help if something seems wrong.

So glad you got it figured out! For anyone else reading this thread - don't panic if your FAFSA looks different this year. The simplified approach is actually designed to help families who need aid the most. Just make sure you're reporting ALL income sources correctly, including child support, even if asset questions are skipped. The key is being thorough with the income sections since that's what really drives your aid calculation. Good luck with your financial aid process!