Hi Cherylaya! This is a really common situation that many students face during the transition from associate's to bachelor's programs. You're likely correct that the issue is related to your current enrollment status. State aid systems often have strict rules about concurrent enrollment and degree completion status. A few things that might be happening: - New Jersey's system may not allow state aid disbursement while you're still enrolled in your associate's program, even if you're graduating soon - There could be a waiting period after degree conferral before you're eligible for aid at the bachelor's level - The system might need your final transcripts showing degree completion before processing aid for your new program I'd recommend calling New Jersey's state aid office directly to clarify the timeline and requirements. Also, make sure your new school's financial aid office is aware of your graduation timeline - they might be able to help coordinate with the state or provide temporary solutions. Don't panic though - since you're showing eligibility for future semesters, it seems like just a timing issue that should resolve once your degree is officially conferred!

This thread has been incredibly educational! As someone just starting to navigate the dual enrollment FAFSA process, I'm curious about one practical aspect - when both kids are in college and you're dealing with two different financial aid offices, how do you keep track of all the deadlines, required documents, and communication? Do you maintain separate files for each child, or is there a system that works well for managing everything? I'm already feeling overwhelmed thinking about coordinating aid renewal paperwork, verification requests, and appeals for two different schools with potentially different timelines and requirements. Any organizational tips from parents who've successfully managed this would be hugely appreciated!

This has been such an informative discussion! I'm dealing with the same situation and feeling much more confident after reading everyone's experiences. One quick follow-up question - for those who've been through this process, did you find it helpful to have both kids apply to some of the same schools? I'm wondering if having siblings at the same institution might make the financial aid process smoother, or if it's better to let each child choose schools independently regardless of where the other is applying. My kids have somewhat different academic interests, but there is some overlap in their potential school choices, and I'm trying to figure out if there are any administrative advantages to having them at the same place (or disadvantages I should be aware of).

Good news - I've worked with several students this year who had automatic SAI corrections, and in every case, their scholarships were adjusted when they provided the updated information. Just make sure you follow up persistently. Email the scholarship coordinator weekly until you get confirmation they've received and processed your updated SAI. The most important thing is to make sure your school's financial aid office has the correct number. If they've already packaged your aid with the old SAI, ask them specifically to repackage based on the new SAI. Get the name of everyone you speak with and follow up with emails summarizing your conversations.

I'm a current college junior who went through this exact situation last year! The automatic corrections are definitely nerve-wracking, but here's what I learned: the Department of Ed is actually doing you a favor by catching discrepancies early rather than flagging you for verification later. A $3,200 SAI drop is significant and will likely increase your Pell Grant eligibility and other need-based aid. For scholarships, I had success by creating a simple one-page document with before/after screenshots of my SAI, the correction dates, and a brief explanation. I attached this to emails to every scholarship committee I'd applied to. Most were very understanding - they deal with FAFSA chaos every year. The key is being proactive and professional about it. Also, don't just email your financial aid office - go in person if possible! They can pull up your account in real-time and confirm they're using the most recent SAI for your aid package. I discovered my school was still showing my old SAI even though studentaid.gov had been updated for weeks.

This is such valuable information! As someone new to the Parent PLUS loan process, I had the same misconception as your husband. It's really reassuring to see so many people confirm that you can take partial amounts. The fact that you're being strategic about using savings to minimize debt is admirable - I wish more parents understood they have this flexibility. The interest rates mentioned here are eye-opening too. Thanks for asking this question, it's helping a lot of us newcomers understand the process better!

As someone who just went through this process with my oldest, I can confirm what everyone is saying - you absolutely can take less than the full Parent PLUS amount! We were approved for $22,000 but only took $8,500. The key thing is to be very clear about the amount you want when you complete the Master Promissory Note on studentaid.gov. One thing I'd add that I don't see mentioned - make sure you understand the disbursement schedule. They typically split the loan amount between fall and spring semesters, so if you're taking $7,000 total, expect about $3,500 each semester. Also, the origination fee gets deducted from each disbursement, so factor that in when calculating what you'll actually receive. You're making a really smart financial decision by minimizing the debt!

So glad you were able to get through to financial aid and get a concrete number! $1240 is definitely a significant amount, but you're absolutely right that it's better than risking your future aid eligibility. The incomplete option sounds like it could be a perfect middle ground if your professor is willing to work with you. Just a heads up - if you do end up having to repay, most schools will set up a payment plan rather than expecting the full amount immediately. And since you're making this decision strategically (rather than just disappearing from class), it shows you're being responsible about your academics and finances. Keep us updated on how the conversation with your professor goes! Rooting for you to find a solution that works.

Hey Ethan! I went through something really similar with organic chemistry last year. One thing that helped me was checking if your school has a "medical withdrawal" or "hardship withdrawal" option - sometimes they'll let you withdraw without the same financial penalties if you can document that you're struggling due to circumstances beyond your control (like your advisor being unavailable during a critical time). Also, before you talk to your professor about an incomplete, make sure you understand what completing the coursework later would actually involve. Some professors require you to retake the entire lab component, while others might let you just make up the remaining assignments. The incomplete route is great if it's manageable, but you don't want to be stuck with an impossible situation next semester either. Whatever you decide, you're being smart to think this through strategically rather than just hoping for a miracle. Chemistry labs are brutal and sometimes cutting your losses is the right call!