Single mom with no FAFSA experience - what aid options should my senior daughter explore?

Hi there! You're definitely asking the right questions. The 2025-2026 FAFSA is totally different from previous years, so even parents who've been through this before are learning the new system. Here are some key things to focus on as a single parent: 1. Make sure you're listed as the "contributor" (what they now call parents) on her FAFSA, and indicate you're a single parent 2. The SAI (Student Aid Index) replaced the old EFC - this number determines eligibility for need-based aid 3. Apply for the Pell Grant through the FAFSA - with your income level, she should qualify for significant funding 4. Have your daughter apply for the CSS Profile too if she's considering private schools - this can unlock institutional aid 5. Look into state-specific grants - many states have special programs for single-parent households Also, don't wait until the last minute! Submit ASAP - many schools award aid on a first-come, first-served basis. Hope this helps get you started!

single moms usually get WAY more $ than two parent households, your lucky. my friends mom makes like 50k and her daughter got full ride practically. just make sure u say your SINGLE not divorced or something weird on the forms. and yah do it ASAP like NOW dont wait!!!

As a financial aid counselor, I need to clarify something important: being a single parent doesn't automatically qualify you for more aid. What matters is your income, assets, and household size. The 2025-2026 FAFSA uses the Student Aid Index (SAI) calculation, which factors in your AGI, assets (with some protections), and family size. With your income of $43,000 and only supporting yourself and your daughter, she will likely qualify for significant need-based aid, including the full Pell Grant (currently up to $7,395 per year). For Michigan specifically, look into: - Michigan Tuition Grant (for private colleges in Michigan) - Michigan Competitive Scholarship - Tuition Incentive Program (if you received Medicaid for 24 months within a 36-month period during grades 6-12) Regarding the CSS Profile, yes, it's a completely separate application through the College Board. Not all schools require it, so check if your daughter's target schools use it.

I just went through this EXACT scenario last year with my son!!! The financial aid system is GARBAGE and deliberately confusing. Here's what they don't tell you: even though you're a single mom, they'll still try to count your ex's income if you have joint custody!!! I had to fight with three different financial aid offices because they kept asking for his info even though I'm 100% supporting our son. And be prepared for the verification hell - they randomly select applications to basically prove you're not lying, and OF COURSE they picked us. Had to submit tax documents FIVE TIMES because they kept "losing" them. What a joke!! My advice: document EVERYTHING, save copies of EVERYTHING, and don't be afraid to be the annoying mom who calls weekly for updates. The system is designed to make you give up.

everyone focuses on the fafsa but dont 4get about scholarships!!! my daughter got like 12k in outside scholarships and it helped SOO much. tell ur daughter to apply to EVERYTHING even the small ones. even the $500 ones add up and sometimes nobody applies to the weird specific ones. also our church gave her $1000 - does ur daughter belong to any groups that might have scholarships?

I work at a college financial aid office, and I'd recommend checking out these legitimate scholarship search tools: - Fastweb.com - Scholarships.com - Your state's higher education website (Michigan.gov/mistudentaid) - College Board's BigFuture scholarship search And for your FAFSA questions, I strongly recommend calling the Federal Student Aid Information Center directly. Many parents don't realize you can speak with an actual FSA agent who can look at your specific application and help resolve issues. The number is 1-800-433-3243, but be prepared for very long wait times (sometimes hours).

Another critical tip: make sure your daughter indicates she's a dependent student on her FAFSA. Some students mistakenly think being from a single-parent household means they should select "independent" status, which is NOT the same thing. Unless she meets specific criteria (24+ years old, married, veteran, etc.), she should be listed as dependent with you as her contributor. Also, the Michigan College Access Network has free resources and advisors who can help you complete the FAFSA: https://micollegeaccess.org/

Something else to consider: have your daughter look into community college for her first two years! My daughter did this and saved us almost $30,000. She got her gen ed classes done for a fraction of university costs, qualified for a transfer scholarship when she moved to her 4-year school, and still graduated with the same degree as her friends who paid full price for all 4 years. With your income level, community college might even be completely covered by grants.

One more critical piece of advice: the formula for calculating your daughter's SAI has changed. The new FAFSA provides more protection for low-income families like yours. With your $43,000 income and family size of 2, your SAI will likely be quite low or even negative (which is good for aid purposes). However, make sure you complete the "Other Real Estate" and "Business/Farm" sections accurately. Many parents make mistakes here that can drastically reduce aid eligibility. If you own a home you live in, it's NOT counted as an asset in the FAFSA calculation. But rental properties or second homes would be. Also, keep in mind that many schools now require you to submit the FAFSA annually, even if you think you won't qualify for aid in later years. Failing to submit can mean losing access to even merit scholarships at some institutions.

Hi Diego! As someone who just went through this process with my twin daughters last year, I wanted to add a few things that really helped us as a single-parent household: 1. **Work-Study Programs** - Don't overlook these! Your daughter can earn money while in school, and work-study income doesn't count against her aid eligibility for the following year like regular employment does. 2. **Emergency Aid Programs** - Many colleges have emergency grant funds for unexpected expenses. These aren't advertised much but can be lifesavers for things like textbooks, housing deposits, or even car repairs. 3. **State Tax Credits** - Michigan offers the Michigan Education Trust (MET) and other tax benefits that can help with college costs. Even if you haven't been saving in these programs, there might be tax advantages you can take advantage of. 4. **Food Assistance** - Many colleges now have food pantries and meal assistance programs. Don't be shy about using these resources - they're there to help students focus on studies instead of worrying about basic needs. The biggest thing I learned is that financial aid offices are actually there to help you succeed, not to make things difficult. Once you get past the initial paperwork maze, most schools want to work with families to make college affordable. You're doing great by starting early and asking questions!

Hi Diego! I'm another single mom who just finished this process with my son last year, and I wanted to share a few things that really helped us navigate the new FAFSA system: **Timeline is everything** - The 2025-26 FAFSA opened in December, so if you haven't started yet, definitely prioritize this. Many state aid programs are first-come-first-served, and Michigan's deadline for state aid is typically March 1st (though some schools have their own earlier deadlines). **Don't forget about in-state advantages** - Michigan has some great public universities, and your daughter will qualify for in-state tuition rates. With your income level, she might even qualify for programs like the Michigan Reconnect scholarship if she considers community college first. **Appeal process exists** - If your financial circumstances have changed recently (like you mentioned the child support ending soon), you can submit a "special circumstances" appeal to individual schools. This can sometimes result in additional aid beyond what the FAFSA initially calculates. **Document everything** - Keep copies of all tax documents, bank statements, and any correspondence with financial aid offices. The verification process is much smoother now with direct IRS data transfer, but having backup documentation saved me when there were questions. You're asking all the right questions and starting at the right time. Your daughter is lucky to have such a proactive mom advocating for her education!