FAFSA parent contribution calculation drastically different from EFC - help with SAI appeal?

Somethings definitely wrong there. New SAI can be different from old EFC but TRIPLE is crazy. Did you maybe report assets wrong? The new FAFSA is super confusing about what counts as an asset or not. Also check if maybe you accidentally included retirement accounts which shouldn't be counted.

The sibling change is likely the biggest factor here. The new FAFSA SAI calculation is VERY different from the old EFC formula, especially regarding how it handles multiple children in college. With the old formula, having multiple children in college could reduce your EFC by almost 50% per child. The new SAI doesn't provide nearly the same level of reduction. Also, the new formula has different income protection allowances and asset calculations. For a family with your income level, the changes can be particularly impactful. Your situation sounds like a perfect example of what experts were warning about when the FAFSA Simplification Act was being implemented.

my family got hit hard to by this new calculation bs!!!! the government doesnt care about middle class families AT ALL. my SAI went up by like $8000 and no one warned us this would happen!!! the whole "simplification" thing was a trap to give less aid to families who really need it

To answer your question about appeals - yes, you can still appeal your financial aid package. However, you'll need to understand that: 1. Appeals are now processed through individual schools, not through Federal Student Aid directly 2. Each school has their own process called "Professional Judgment" review 3. You'll need documentation showing special circumstances The loss of the sibling in college isn't typically considered a special circumstance for appeal, unfortunately. But if there are other factors (medical expenses, job loss, etc.) that weren't captured in the FAFSA, you can include those.

Thank you all for the advice. I'm going to call my school's financial aid office first thing tomorrow. I'm still in shock that this change could be so massive. Has anyone successfully appealed something like this with the new system?

Quick tip - when u call financial aid offices get ready to wait FOREVER or get disconnected multiple times. I tried reaching the FSA helpline about my own SAI issue last month and spent 3+ hours getting nowhere. Finally used this service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that holds your place in line and calls you back when an agent is available. Saved me hours of frustration and I actually got my issue resolved. They have a video showing how it works here: https://youtu.be/TbC8dZQWYNQ Totally worth it for getting through to actual humans who can help.

My daughter just went through this exact nightmare!!! New SAI was $14k higher than last year's EFC with no changes in our income!!! We ended up having to: 1) Appeal to her specific college with a detailed letter 2) Apply for additional private scholarships 3) Look into Parent PLUS loans (which we reallllly didn't want to do) The college ended up giving her an additional $5k in institutional aid after our appeal. Still not enough but better than nothing.

This is unfortunately one of the most significant impacts of the FAFSA Simplification Act. While the multi-dependent discount in the old formula was generous (essentially cutting your EFC in half for each child), the new formula uses a much smaller adjustment. For families with your income profile ($96K combined), the impact is particularly severe. Here's what you should do immediately: 1. Contact your school's financial aid office and request a meeting with an actual counselor (not just a front desk person) 2. Prepare a detailed comparison of last year's vs. this year's expected contribution 3. Ask specifically about institutional aid options that can offset the federal formula changes 4. Look into whether your state has any supplemental grant programs (many states are creating stopgap measures) 5. If your family has ANY unusual expenses (medical bills, care for elderly relatives, etc.), document those thoroughly for your appeal Whatever you do, don't simply drop out or take on unmanageable debt without exploring all options first.

Update: I just got off the phone with my school's financial aid office. They were actually really understanding and said they've been seeing this problem a lot. They're setting up a special appeal process for students affected by the multiple-in-college change. I have to submit last year's award letter, this year's SAI calculation, and a statement about how this affects our ability to pay. They said they can't promise anything, but they're trying to find institutional funds to help bridge some of the gap. Fingers crossed! Thanks everyone for your help.

I'm so sorry you're going through this - the new FAFSA changes have really blindsided a lot of families. It sounds like you're doing all the right things by reaching out to your school's financial aid office. Just wanted to add a few more suggestions that might help: 1. Ask your financial aid counselor about work-study opportunities if you haven't already - sometimes there are positions that weren't advertised widely 2. Check if your state has any emergency financial aid programs for students affected by the FAFSA changes - several states have created these specifically for situations like yours 3. Look into whether your school has any department-specific scholarships in your major that you might not have applied for yet Also, don't feel bad about considering community college for some courses if needed - I know it's not what you planned, but taking a few summer courses at CC to lighten your course load (and costs) during the regular semester can be a good strategy. You're being smart by exploring all your options instead of just taking on massive debt. Keep us posted on how your appeal goes!