FAFSA showing 'tax returns requested' after processing - will our SAI change?

This is fairly common, especially for first-time FAFSA filers. The Department of Education randomly selects about 30% of applications for verification each cycle. Since you used the IRS Data Retrieval Tool, you're in better shape than most! Your SAI *could* change if there are discrepancies between what was reported and what they verify, but if everything matches up, it should stay the same. Just make sure to respond promptly with exactly what they ask for - usually they want signed copies of tax returns, W-2s, and sometimes a verification worksheet.

happened to me 2 years ago, no big deal. sent in the tax forms and nothing changed

Unfortunately it could definitely change your SAI. When my son's FAFSA got selected for verification last year, our SAI increased by almost 3700 points after they reviewed our documents. Turns out there was a discrepancy with some retirement account distributions we didn't report correctly. The worst part was waiting - took them 6 weeks to process everything while his financial aid package was on hold.

I went through this exact situation with my son's FAFSA last year. The verification process sounds scarier than it actually is if you used the IRS Data Retrieval Tool correctly. Your SAI will only change if: 1. There's a significant difference between reported info and verified documents 2. They find unreported income or assets during review 3. There was an error in how dependent status was calculated Make sure you respond quickly with ALL requested documents exactly as specified. Don't send extra info they didn't ask for. In our case, the SAI stayed exactly the same after verification.

UGH THE FAFSA VERIFICATION IS THE WORST!!!! My daughter's application got flagged last year and it was a TOTAL NIGHTMARE!!! They kept asking for more and more documents and every time we submitted something they would find another "problem" to investigate. Our SAI changed THREE TIMES during the process!!! The whole system is designed to DENY aid to deserving students!!!

After getting selected for verification twice, I learned that calling FSA directly can speed things up considerably. I wasted weeks sending documents through my college's financial aid office before realizing I could speak directly with FAFSA. Try using Claimyr (claimyr.com) to skip the hold times - they got me through to an agent in minutes when the regular line had 2+ hour waits. There's a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/TbC8dZQWYNQ. The agent was able to tell me exactly what documents they needed and confirmed when my verification was complete.

Just to add something important - if your SAI does change after verification, contact your daughter's school's financial aid office immediately! They can sometimes adjust your package or offer institutional aid to make up the difference, especially if the change would impact her ability to attend. My daughter's college added a $1,500 institutional grant after our verification resulted in less federal aid. Don't just accept the first offer if it changes.

An update on timing since you asked: verification usually takes 2-4 weeks once all documents are submitted, but it can be longer during peak periods (which we're in right now). If your daughter needs to make decisions by May 1st, I recommend submitting everything within the next week if possible. Also, you can request a preliminary aid package from schools explaining that you're in verification - most schools will provide an estimate based on your current SAI with a note that it may change.

this whole system is ridiculous. my brother got flagged for verification too and it turns out they had his ssn wrong the whole time. wasted months and almost missed enrollment deadline. good luck!