For a comprehensive resource that covers all types of financial aid in one place, I'd highly recommend the Federal Student Aid website (studentaid.gov) - they have a section called "Types of Aid" that breaks down everything from Pell Grants to work-study to different loan types. Also check out the College Board's "Paying for College" section and NASFAA (National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators) website for detailed explanations. Your daughter's high school guidance counselor might also have some great resources or worksheets that organize all this information. Don't feel overwhelmed - even financial aid professionals say this stuff is complex! The key is taking it one piece at a time, and it sounds like you're asking all the right questions to make informed decisions for your daughter's future.

Welcome to the financial aid world! As someone who just went through this process last year with my son, I wanted to share a few additional tips that might help. First, make sure to accept your aid packages in the order they're offered - grants first, then work-study, then subsidized loans, and unsubsidized loans last. Also, don't forget to look into local scholarships from community organizations, employers, or even your grocery store - these smaller awards ($500-$2000) can really add up and often have fewer applicants than the big national scholarships. Finally, consider having your daughter apply for on-campus jobs early, even if she doesn't get work-study. Many schools hire students for regular hourly positions that can help with those day-to-day expenses. The negative SAI is definitely a great starting point, but there are so many other opportunities to explore!

I'm new to this community but your situation really caught my attention because I'm currently helping my sister navigate something very similar. She's going through a divorce and has about $32k in Parent Plus loans that she signed for alone during her marriage. One thing that might be worth exploring - and I apologize if this has been covered already - is whether Florida has any specific provisions for educational expenses in divorce settlements. I know some states treat education costs for children (including loan repayments) as ongoing child support obligations that can be shared between parents even after divorce. Also, from what I've been learning about Parent Plus loans, there are some newer income-driven repayment options that weren't available a few years ago. The Income-Contingent Repayment plan can sometimes result in significantly lower monthly payments if your post-divorce income is substantially less than your combined marital income was. I've been impressed by how supportive this community is in sharing real experiences rather than just theoretical advice. It's clear that unfortunately many families face this exact situation where federal loan policies don't align with how education decisions are actually made in families. Hoping you're able to find a path forward that works for your situation.

I'm new to this community but wanted to share some insights from my experience working in financial aid administration. What you're dealing with is unfortunately very common, and the responses here have covered most of the key points accurately. One thing I'd add is that when you do speak with Federal Student Aid (whether through the regular line or services like Claimyr that others mentioned), make sure to ask specifically about the Income-Contingent Repayment plan if you consolidate your Parent Plus loans into a Direct Consolidation Loan. This can potentially lower your payments significantly based on your post-divorce income alone, rather than the combined income that was likely used for the original loan terms. Also, while you're gathering documentation for your divorce proceedings, I'd recommend pulling your complete Federal Student Aid history online through your FSA ID. This will show exactly when each loan was disbursed and can help demonstrate the timeline of decisions if you need to show these were joint family choices made during the marriage. The system really is unfair in how it handles family situations like divorce, but understanding all your federal repayment options will at least give you more leverage in your settlement negotiations. Wishing you the best as you navigate this difficult situation.

As someone who just went through this process with my own family, I wanted to add that the timing of when you file your FAFSA can also matter for asset reporting. Since FAFSA uses a snapshot of your assets on the day you file, it's worth considering normal fluctuations in your accounts. For example, if your parents typically have higher balances right after tax refunds or lower balances after paying property taxes, you might want to time your filing accordingly. With your parents' $42K income and two kids in college, you're in a good position for aid regardless of the savings, but every little bit helps! Also, make sure to complete the FAFSA as early as possible since some state and school aid is awarded on a first-come, first-served basis.

This thread has been incredibly helpful! I'm actually in a very similar situation - my parents have around $75K in savings but lower income, and I was panicking about how it would affect my aid. The breakdown everyone provided about the 5.64% assessment rate and Asset Protection Allowance really puts things in perspective. One thing I'm curious about though - does anyone know if the Asset Protection Allowance amount changes each year, or is it pretty stable? My mom is 52 and my dad is 54, so I'm wondering what ballpark range we might be looking at for the allowance. Also, has anyone here actually seen their aid offers yet for 2025-26 to see how the new FAFSA calculations played out in real awards?

Just wanted to jump in as someone who recently navigated this exact situation! I'm also at a Texas school and had similar concerns about my parents' documentation status affecting my FAFSA. The key thing that helped me was understanding that as a U.S. citizen, YOUR eligibility for FAFSA is what matters most, not your parents' immigration status. Even if they're renewing documents, their permanent resident status doesn't disappear during the renewal process. One practical tip: when I called my school's financial aid office, I found it helpful to lead with "I have a question about FAFSA eligibility with parents who are permanent residents going through green card renewal" - this seemed to get me transferred to someone who actually knew how to handle the situation rather than getting generic advice. You're definitely doing the right thing by asking these questions now rather than later. The financial aid process is confusing enough without conflicting advice from different offices! Stick with your FAFSA and don't let the bureaucratic runaround discourage you.

As someone who just went through the FAFSA process this year, I want to add that you're absolutely making the right decision to stick with FAFSA! I was initially confused about the difference between FAFSA and TASFA too, but here's what I learned: Since you're a U.S. citizen, FAFSA is definitely the way to go regardless of your parents' status. The green card renewal process is super common and doesn't affect their permanent resident status - they're still considered eligible non-citizens for FAFSA purposes. One thing that might help ease your anxiety: I recommend reaching out to your state's higher education agency directly. In Texas, that would be the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board. They often have specialists who can clarify state-specific questions about FAFSA vs TASFA eligibility. Also, don't worry too much about the SAI delay - mine took almost 6 weeks to come back this year! The system is definitely backed up. Just make sure you meet your school's priority deadlines with whatever information you have. You're being really proactive by asking these questions now. Trust the process and stick with your FAFSA application!

Hey Malik! I'm actually in a very similar situation - I completed a dental hygiene certificate program a few years ago and I'm now applying for a BSN program. From what I've learned through my research and talking to financial aid counselors, you should definitely still be eligible for Pell Grants! The key things that matter are: 1. You haven't exceeded the 600% lifetime eligibility limit (your 2-year vocational program likely only used about 200% of that) 2. You meet the financial need requirements based on your SAI 3. You haven't already earned a bachelor's degree I'd strongly recommend scheduling an appointment with the financial aid office at your prospective nursing school. They can do a preliminary review of your situation and even help estimate how much Pell funding you might receive. When I did this, they were able to pull up my previous Pell usage and confirm exactly how much eligibility I had remaining. Also, don't forget to submit your FAFSA as early as possible - some nursing programs have limited spots and financial aid is often awarded on a first-come, first-served basis after you meet the eligibility requirements. You've got this! The healthcare field really needs more dedicated people like you who are willing to go back to school to advance their careers.

Hey Malik! I'm a recent nursing graduate and went through the exact same process you're describing. I had completed a pharmacy tech certification program before starting my ADN, and I was definitely still eligible for Pell Grants. One thing I wish someone had told me earlier is to also look into state-specific nursing grants and scholarships. Many states have programs designed to address nursing shortages and will provide additional funding beyond federal aid. For example, some states offer loan forgiveness programs if you commit to working in underserved areas for a certain period after graduation. Also, when you're filling out your FAFSA, make sure you select "working on my first bachelor's degree" since your vocational certificate doesn't count as a degree. This ensures you're evaluated correctly for maximum aid eligibility. The nursing shortage is real, and schools and states are really incentivized to help people like you make this career transition. Don't let financial concerns hold you back - there are more funding options available than most people realize!