Hey Amara! Just wanted to jump in as another first-gen student who completely understands the FAFSA anxiety you're experiencing! 😅 I went through this exact same situation two years ago and honestly, this thread has become such an incredible resource - the support here is amazing! Everyone has given you fantastic advice, and I just wanted to add one small thing that helped me during my waiting period. I found it really helpful to set up a simple reminder system where I would only check my FAFSA status once per day at a specific time (like right after lunch). It sounds silly, but it stopped me from the constant refreshing that was driving me crazy! The 3-4 week processing time really is normal right now, unfortunately. Also, when you do call your financial aid office tomorrow, you might want to ask if they can add you to any email lists for FAFSA updates or processing alerts. Some schools have these and it can help you feel more connected to the process even during the waiting period. You're doing everything absolutely right by being proactive and asking questions. That kind of self-advocacy is going to serve you so well in college! We're all rooting for you, and I know your FAFSA will process soon. Hang in there! 🍀💙

Hey Amara! As another first-gen student, I just had to jump into this incredible thread! 🙌 Reading through all these responses has honestly given me chills - this community is absolutely amazing and shows exactly why first-gen students need to stick together and support each other through these confusing processes. I went through the exact same FAFSA panic last year (also took about 4 weeks to process, and I was convinced something was wrong!). What really helped me was realizing that being a first-gen student actually makes us MORE prepared for college in some ways - we've already proven we can figure out complex things without having someone hold our hand through every step. Since you're calling your financial aid office today, here's one more tip: ask them if they have any first-gen student resources or support programs. Many schools have special orientation sessions or peer mentoring specifically for students like us navigating college for the first time. My school had a "First-Gen Friday" coffee meetup that became my lifeline freshman year! You've got this, and you're clearly going to thrive in college with that proactive, question-asking attitude! Can't wait to hear your update after your call today. This whole thread is proof that the first-gen student community has your back! 💪✨

Sofia, what an incredible journey you're embarking on! As a 48-year-old who just completed my first year back in college, I can tell you that everyone here has given you spot-on advice about the SAR. I wanted to add one thing that saved me tons of time - once you get your complete SAR, consider creating a "scholarship toolkit" folder on your desktop with not just the SAR, but also your tax transcripts, a current resume, and a standard personal statement about why you're returning to school. So many scholarship applications ask for similar materials, and having them all in one easily accessible place made the process much more manageable. Also, don't underestimate the power of scholarships specifically for non-traditional students - there are quite a few out there that specifically value our life experience and determination. You're going to bring such a unique perspective to your classes, and your fellow students (regardless of age) will benefit from your insights. Starting in May is going to be amazing - you've got this, grandma! 🎓

Sofia, congratulations on this amazing decision to pursue your education! As a newcomer to this community, I'm blown away by how supportive and knowledgeable everyone here is. I'm actually in a similar boat - considering going back to school myself at 45 - and reading through all these detailed responses about accessing the SAR has been incredibly educational. It's so inspiring to see so many people who've successfully navigated this process at various stages of life. The step-by-step guidance everyone has provided about waiting for "Processed" status, finding the complete 5+ page SAR document, and having backup plans if the website is glitchy seems like a comprehensive roadmap. I'm bookmarking this entire thread for when I eventually take the plunge myself! Best of luck with your scholarship applications and starting classes in May - you're clearly well-prepared and have an amazing support network here. Thank you for asking the question that so many of us needed answered! 🎓

Hey Isaiah! Great question about using summer sessions strategically - I actually did exactly that when I was transitioning to full-time enrollment and it worked really well for me! I took 6 credits over summer (2 classes) which let me take 12 credits each in fall and spring instead of trying to jump straight into 15+ credit semesters. This kept me at full-time status for the entire academic year while making the workload much more manageable. Plus, summer classes tend to be smaller and more intensive, so I actually found I learned the material better in that format. The financial benefits were great too - I was able to use summer Pell Grant funding (that year-round Pell that @Lilly Curtis mentioned), and it helped me stay on track to graduate a semester early. Summer tuition per credit is sometimes lower at certain schools too, so definitely worth checking into. One tip: Make sure the summer credits you take are ones that actually advance your degree progress rather than just electives. I used summer to knock out some of my general education requirements, which freed up space in my fall/spring schedules for more major-specific courses that I wanted to focus on. Also echoing your thanks to everyone sharing real numbers and experiences - when I was making this decision two years ago, I couldn't find this kind of detailed information anywhere! This thread would have saved me so much stress and uncertainty. @Oliver Weber definitely keep us posted on what you learn from your financial aid meeting!

As someone who just went through this decision process, I wanted to add another perspective that might help! I had an SAI of $1,100 and was working 20 hours/week while taking 9 credits. The thing that finally pushed me to switch to full-time wasn't just the Pell Grant increase (though that was significant - went from about $2,700 to $3,600 per semester), but discovering I was missing out on my school's need-based grant that required 12+ credits. What really made the difference for me was doing a "trial run" during winter intersession. I took one intensive 3-credit course to see how I'd handle a heavier academic load while working. It went well, so I felt more confident about adding that fourth class in spring. One thing I haven't seen mentioned yet - some schools offer "course overload" options where you can take 1-2 extra credits beyond full-time for the same tuition price. This can help you graduate even faster without additional cost. My school allowed up to 18 credits for the same price as 12-15, which was a game changer for my timeline. Also, definitely look into whether your employer offers tuition assistance programs. Mine had a small reimbursement program I didn't know about that helped offset some costs when I reduced my work hours. Every bit helps when you're making these calculations!

Mei, I just wanted to add one more voice of reassurance here! I'm currently a junior and have received the max Pell Grant for three years running. Everyone's advice has been spot-on - when your SAI qualifies you for the maximum amount, it's absolutely guaranteed. What really struck me reading your original post is how familiar your anxiety sounds. I remember refreshing my email obsessively waiting for my first financial aid package, convinced something would go wrong. But here I am three years later, and that Pell Grant has been as reliable as clockwork - $3,500 each fall, $3,500 each spring, deposited right on schedule. The verification process (if you get selected) really isn't as scary as it sounds either. I got selected my sophomore year and just had to submit a few documents to my school's financial aid office. Took about two weeks to process, but didn't affect my eligibility at all. You're in such great shape with 15 credits planned and being a first-year student. That $7,000 is going to make a huge difference in your college experience. Try to celebrate this achievement rather than worry about it - you've earned this support!

Mei, I'm so happy to see how this thread has transformed your anxiety into excitement! As someone who just went through my first year with the max Pell Grant, I can confirm everything everyone has shared here is absolutely true. What really helped me was creating a simple budget once I knew that $7,000 was guaranteed. I used half for tuition/fees and saved the other half for textbooks, supplies, and living expenses throughout the year. Having that financial security let me focus entirely on my studies instead of worrying about money. One tip I wish someone had told me: sign up for direct deposit with your school's business office as soon as you can. It made getting my Pell disbursements so much faster and easier than waiting for paper checks. You're going to absolutely thrive in college with this support behind you. The hardest part (getting approved) is done, and now you get to enjoy the peace of mind that comes with guaranteed funding. Congratulations again on qualifying for the full amount - you've earned this opportunity!

I'm really sorry you're going through this incredibly stressful situation with Sallie Mae. As someone who's been following student loan issues for years, I can tell you that your experience is unfortunately all too common with private loan servicers, and it's completely different from the federal FAFSA loan protections that most people assume apply to all student loans. Reading through all these responses, it's clear you now have a solid roadmap of actions to take. The most important thing I'd emphasize is that you're not powerless here, even though Sallie Mae wants you to feel that way. Private loan servicers rely heavily on borrowers feeling isolated and uninformed about their rights. A few key points that really stood out from everyone's advice: - Document every single harassing phone call (multiple calls per day likely violates FDCPA) - Request your complete original loan agreement and payment history - File that CFPB complaint about your balance growing despite payments - Look into your state's borrower protection laws and ombudsman programs - Consider consultation with a consumer protection attorney The success stories from people who negotiated settlements are encouraging, but make sure you fully understand the credit and tax implications before going that route. Whatever you decide, get everything in writing and never give them electronic access to your bank account. You've shown incredible strength by reaching out and refusing to suffer in silence. This community has your back, and we're all rooting for you to find a way out of this predatory cycle. Please keep us posted on your progress!

I'm so sorry you're dealing with this nightmare situation - Sallie Mae's predatory practices are absolutely devastating, and reading your story brought back memories of my own struggles with private loan servicers. As someone new to this community, I'm blown away by the wealth of practical advice and support everyone has shared here. What really stands out to me is how many people have emphasized that private loans operate under completely different rules than federal FAFSA loans - there's no income-driven repayment, no forgiveness programs, and servicers can be incredibly aggressive. But the flip side is that you actually have more consumer protection rights than they want you to know about. The success stories from people who documented harassment, filed CFPB complaints, and ultimately negotiated settlements are really encouraging. It sounds like the key is going in prepared with evidence and knowledge of your rights rather than letting them continue to intimidate you. One thing I'd add is to consider reaching out to your local congressperson's office - they often have caseworkers who can intervene with federal agencies and sometimes that pressure helps move things along faster than individual complaints. You've already shown incredible courage by sharing your story and refusing to suffer in silence. With all the actionable advice this community has provided, you now have a real roadmap for fighting back. Don't let Sallie Mae convince you that endless payments on a growing balance is your only option - you have more power than they want you to believe!