FAFSA strategy for out-of-state colleges with two dependents - single mom needs advice

my daughter went out of state last year and we got way less aid than her friends who stayed in Texas. the whole system is RIGGED against single parents!!!! i ended up having to take out $28,000 in parent plus loans and now I'm DROWNING in debt. good luck but don't expect much help from fafsa 😡

The rumor about Texas residents getting penalized for out-of-state attendance isn't accurate. FAFSA's SAI calculation is federal and doesn't change based on which state you attend school in. What's happening is that out-of-state schools often have higher costs and less institutional aid available for non-residents. For your situation with multiple dependents in college, this actually helps your FAFSA calculation. Your SAI gets divided by the number of family members in college, so having two should significantly lower each child's individual SAI. Make sure both are correctly listed on each other's FAFSA. Regarding the verification documents - this is common and not necessarily concerning. They typically need your tax transcripts, W-2 forms, and sometimes a verification worksheet. You can request tax transcripts directly from the IRS website.

i had same problem with 2 kids last yr. the processing time is so random, my sons took 2 weeks but my daughters took almost 2 months!!! no explanation why. just keep checking the portal

I work in financial aid at a university (not in Texas), and I can provide some guidance here: 1. For verification documents: A "Statement of Non-Tax Filing" is required if you weren't required to file taxes but had some income. You can get this through the IRS using Form 4506-T. Some schools will accept their own form instead, so check with the financial aid office. 2. Processing times: The 3-week wait for your younger daughter is unfortunately normal right now. The 2025-2026 FAFSA has been experiencing significant delays due to the new system rollout. 3. Multiple children strategy: Make sure both FAFSAs correctly list each other as family members in college. This is where mistakes often happen. Each school should see that you have two dependents in college, which will lower the expected contribution for each. 4. Out-of-state considerations: While the federal calculation doesn't change, each school's institutional aid might have different policies. Some out-of-state public universities have very limited non-resident aid packages, while others have generous merit scholarships specifically to attract out-of-state students. I'd recommend scheduling appointments with both financial aid offices to discuss your specific situation. Ask specifically about their institutional aid policies for out-of-state students with financial need.

My cousin had three kids in college at once in michigan and he said the fafsa people told him to make sure to check the box for multiple students in household or something cause it gives you more money. did you do that part??

I was in almost exactly your situation last year with my twins going to different out-of-state schools. Calling the Federal Student Aid hotline was IMPOSSIBLE - spent hours on hold just to get disconnected. Finally found this service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that got me connected to an actual FAFSA agent in less than 15 minutes. They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/TbC8dZQWYNQ The agent walked me through the verification process and confirmed both my kids were properly linked on each other's applications. Made a huge difference in our aid packages once everything was correct. Before that, one daughter was getting way less aid because the system wasn't recognizing I had two in college.

Im a single dad with 3 kids in college so I feel your pain!!! One thing nobody told me was that you need to submit the FAFSA to EVERY school your kids apply to, not just their top choice. My son nearly lost a $23,000 package because we didn't do this. Also, GET CSS PROFILE done too if the schools require it!!! Some private colleges need both FAFSA and CSS Profile and they have different deadlines. The CSS asks way more invasive questions about your finances but sometimes unlocks way more institutional money. Dont give up, the system is confusing but you'll get through it!!

You mentioned your concern about Parent PLUS loans. While they should be approached cautiously, they're sometimes necessary to bridge funding gaps. However, before turning to PLUS loans, make sure you've exhausted these options: 1. Appeal for additional aid - If your financial situation has changed since you filed taxes (job loss, medical expenses, etc.), file a special circumstances appeal with both financial aid offices. 2. Explore private scholarships - Many have deadlines throughout the academic year, not just before it starts. 3. Check if either school has payment plans to spread costs over monthly installments rather than lump sums. 4. Consider having your daughters take on some of the Federal Direct Loans in their names (which have better terms than private loans) before you take on PLUS debt. Regarding your mortgage concern - sometimes having high mortgage payments can be grounds for a professional judgment review at some institutions, as it represents a significant financial obligation not fully captured in the FAFSA formula.

the whole system is BROKEN. i even wrote to my congressman and guess what?? NOTHING HAPPENED. good luck getting any real help from anyone in the system!!

To answer your follow-up question about correcting a FAFSA that's already submitted - yes, you can absolutely make corrections! Log into studentaid.gov, go to the FAFSA application section, and select "Make FAFSA Corrections." You can add your older daughter to your younger daughter's form this way. This is important to get right, as it directly affects how your SAI gets divided. Regarding the Statement of Non-Tax Filing - if you did file taxes, you don't need this form. It's only for people who weren't required to file. From your mortgage comment, I'm guessing you did file taxes, so you likely just need to submit your tax transcript instead. For the processing time on your younger daughter's application, unfortunately patience is required, but if it goes beyond 4-5 weeks, that's when you should start making calls to check on the status.