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Ethan Davis
I'm a high school senior who made this EXACT same mistake just a few months ago! I was filling out my FAFSA super late at night and somehow selected 2023-24 when I needed 2024-25. I literally cried when I realized what I'd done because I thought I'd messed up my entire college financial aid 😠But seriously, everyone here is giving you perfect advice - you just have to wait for the 2025-26 application to open and start fresh. The good news is that all the tax info you already entered will be the same since both applications use 2023 tax data! One tip from a fellow mistake-maker: when you do fill out the correct application in October, maybe do it during the day when you're more alert instead of late at night like I did. Also, I literally wrote "2025-26" on a sticky note and put it on my computer screen so I couldn't miss it lol. Your daughter's financial aid will be totally fine - this mistake happens to SO many people!
OMG thank you for sharing this from a student perspective! It makes me feel so much better knowing that even students make this same mistake - I was worried I was the only parent who messed this up for their kid. Your sticky note idea is actually genius! I'm definitely going to do something similar when we fill out the correct application in October. It's so reassuring to hear that your financial aid worked out fine despite the initial mistake. Thanks for taking the time to share your experience - it really helps to hear from someone who literally just went through this! 😊
Oliver Brown
I'm a college sophomore who went through this exact situation with my mom when I was applying! We filled out the 2022-23 FAFSA when I needed 2023-24 and I remember the absolute panic we both felt. But honestly, it ended up being a blessing in disguise because we were SO prepared and organized the second time around. Here's what I learned from the experience: when you fill out the correct 2025-26 application in October, take your time even though you'll be familiar with the process. I was so eager to get it done "right" the second time that I almost made other mistakes from rushing. Also, screenshot EVERYTHING - the year selection page, the confirmation page, even your school list. Having those screenshots saved me so much anxiety because I could go back and verify we'd done everything correctly. The hardest part is just waiting for the application to open, but use this time to your advantage! Get all your documents organized, maybe even practice filling out the application using the FAFSA4caster tool just to stay familiar with the questions. Your daughter's financial aid will be completely fine - I got the same aid package I would have gotten if we'd filled it out correctly the first time. This mistake is honestly so common that financial aid offices are used to dealing with it!
Luca Conti
•This is such helpful advice from someone who actually went through this as a student! I love the idea of screenshotting everything - that would definitely help with the anxiety of wondering if we did it right. The FAFSA4caster suggestion is brilliant too - I hadn't thought about using that to practice and stay familiar with the questions while we wait for October. It's so reassuring to hear that you got the same aid package you would have received if you'd done it correctly the first time. That's exactly what I was worried about! Thanks for sharing your student perspective and all these practical tips. It really helps to hear from someone who was actually the applicant going through this situation! 😊
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As a newcomer to this community, I just want to say how amazing this discussion has been! I'm currently dealing with this exact same situation - my daughter's FAFSA is due next week and we're waiting on Medicaid approval after submitting our application 6 weeks ago. We got confirmation that our income qualifies, but still no final approval letter. Reading through everyone's real experiences here has been so much more helpful than trying to decipher the official FAFSA instructions alone. The distinction between "eligibility" vs "enrollment" that multiple people have clarified is crucial - I never would have understood that nuance without this community's guidance. Based on all the shared experiences, especially @Zara Rashid's official confirmation from Federal Student Aid and @PixelWarrior's successful firsthand account, I'm confident about marking "Yes" since we've verified our income eligibility. I'm also implementing everyone's documentation strategy - creating a dedicated folder with all our application confirmations, income verification emails, and status screenshots just in case we get selected for verification. It's reassuring to know this approach can actually help maximize aid through the automatic zero EFC calculation. Thank you all for making this overwhelming process feel so much more manageable with your practical, real-world advice!
Welcome to the community! As another newcomer, I'm so glad I found this thread too - it's been an absolute lifesaver for understanding this confusing Medicaid/FAFSA timing issue. I'm in a very similar situation with my son's application. We applied for Medicaid about 7 weeks ago and received income verification confirmation, but we're still in the processing stage waiting for final approval. Reading through all these detailed real-world experiences has been incredibly reassuring, especially seeing the consistent advice about marking "Yes" based on verified eligibility rather than waiting for enrollment. The documentation tips from everyone here are so practical - I'm definitely creating that verification folder with all our confirmation emails and receipts. It's amazing how this supportive community breaks down these complex government program overlaps into clear, actionable steps. Thank you all for sharing your experiences and making this stressful process feel much more manageable!
As a newcomer to this community, I'm so relieved to have found this incredibly helpful discussion! I'm currently facing this exact same Medicaid/FAFSA timing challenge with my son's application. We submitted our Medicaid application about 4 weeks ago and received confirmation that our income meets the eligibility requirements, but we're still waiting for the official approval documentation. This thread has been absolutely invaluable - the distinction everyone has made between "eligibility" and "enrollment status" is something I never would have understood from reading the FAFSA instructions alone. Based on all the shared experiences here, particularly @Zara Rashid's official confirmation from Federal Student Aid and @PixelWarrior's successful real-world experience, I feel much more confident about marking "Yes" since we've already verified our income qualifies. I'm also taking everyone's excellent documentation advice to heart - I've already started organizing all our application confirmations, income verification emails, and status updates into a dedicated folder for potential verification. It's reassuring to know that this approach not only answers the question correctly but can also help maximize aid eligibility through the simplified needs test. Thank you all for creating such a supportive environment where families can navigate these complex overlapping government programs with practical, real-world guidance!
Welcome to the community! As another newcomer, I'm so grateful to have found this thread as well. I'm in almost the exact same situation with my daughter's FAFSA - we applied for Medicaid 5 weeks ago, got income verification approval, but are still waiting on final processing. Reading through everyone's experiences has been such a relief because the official FAFSA guidance is so confusing about these timing issues. The clarity around "eligibility" vs "enrollment" that everyone has provided here is absolutely crucial - I would never have figured that out on my own. I'm definitely going with the "Yes" answer based on our verified income eligibility, and I love the documentation folder strategy that multiple people have shared. It's amazing how this community transforms what feels like an impossible bureaucratic maze into manageable steps with real, practical advice. Thank you all for being so generous with sharing your experiences!
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What an incredible thread to read as someone new to this community! I'm 31, independent student, and facing almost the exact same situation - planning to marry someone who makes significantly more than my part-time income while I finish my degree. This discussion has been absolutely invaluable in helping me understand that this isn't just about "losing financial aid" but rather strategically managing a major life transition. The professional insights from actual financial aid advisors, combined with real experiences from people who've been through this, creates such a comprehensive picture that you just can't get from official FAFSA documentation. The strategic timing approach that emerged here - marrying right after graduation but before the next FAFSA filing period - is brilliant! It maximizes current aid eligibility while still achieving relationship goals in a reasonable timeframe. I'm definitely going to use the Federal Student Aid Estimator to run scenarios for my own situation. I also love how this thread emphasized considering the full financial picture - health insurance savings, shared expenses, potential employer tuition benefits - rather than just focusing on the grant money loss. Sometimes the overall financial situation actually improves despite the FAFSA changes. @Zara Malik - congratulations on finding such a thoughtful solution! Your approach of involving your fiancée in the planning process and treating this as a partnership decision rather than just your individual problem is exactly right. This community really came through with amazing support and practical wisdom. Thank you all for creating such a valuable resource for those of us navigating the intersection of love and financial aid! 💕
Welcome to the community, Liam! It's so wonderful to see how this thread has become such a comprehensive resource for people in similar situations. Your point about this being a "strategic life transition" rather than just losing aid really captures what I've learned from everyone's insights here. I'm actually in a very similar boat - 32, independent student, and was initially panicking about how marriage would affect my FAFSA eligibility. This discussion has completely transformed my understanding of the decision-making process. The timing strategy that emerged (marrying after graduation but before the next FAFSA cycle) seems to offer the perfect balance between financial optimization and relationship goals. What really resonates with me is how many people emphasized looking at the complete financial picture. When you factor in health insurance savings, shared living costs, and potential employer benefits, the "loss" of federal aid often isn't as devastating as it initially appears. Plus the alternative funding sources people mentioned (AAUW grants, professional organization scholarships, institutional aid) provide additional options to explore. The Federal Student Aid Estimator has been a game-changer for running actual scenarios instead of just worrying about worst-case outcomes. Having real numbers makes this feel like a manageable planning process rather than an impossible choice. This community's wisdom and support has been absolutely incredible. Best of luck with your own decision-making - it sounds like you're approaching it with exactly the right mindset! 😊
As a newcomer to this community, I have to say this entire discussion has been absolutely incredible to read through! I'm 28, independent student, and facing a remarkably similar situation - engaged to someone who makes about $75K while I earn around $16K part-time. I was honestly losing sleep over the FAFSA implications until I found this thread. What's been most enlightening is seeing how this conversation evolved from initial panic about "losing aid" into a comprehensive strategic framework. The professional insights from actual financial aid advisors, combined with real experiences from people who've navigated this successfully, provides exactly the kind of practical wisdom you can't find in official documentation. The strategic timing approach that emerged here is brilliant - marrying right after graduation but before the next FAFSA filing period seems to maximize current aid while achieving relationship goals in a reasonable timeframe. I'm definitely planning to use that Federal Student Aid Estimator to run scenarios for my specific situation. I also appreciate how many people emphasized looking beyond just the aid loss to consider health insurance savings, shared expenses, and potential employer tuition benefits. The overall financial picture can actually improve despite FAFSA changes, which is reassuring to realize. @Zara Malik - your thoughtful decision-making process has been inspiring to follow! The way you approached this as a partnership decision with your fiancée, rather than just your individual financial problem, really shows the right approach. Congratulations on finding a solution that works for both of you! Thank you to this amazing community for turning what felt like an impossible choice into a manageable planning process. This thread will definitely help many others facing similar decisions! 💙
Welcome to the community, Ravi! It's amazing to see how many people this thread has helped who are facing similar situations. Your income numbers are almost identical to what many of us are dealing with - that $75K vs $16K gap definitely creates the same complex FAFSA calculations we've all been wrestling with. I love how you described this as evolving from "panic to strategic framework" - that really captures the journey this discussion has taken! The combination of professional insights and real-world experiences has been so much more valuable than trying to figure this out from official websites alone. The timing strategy really does seem to be the sweet spot for most of our situations. Getting married right after graduation maximizes your current aid eligibility while still moving forward with your relationship goals in a reasonable timeframe. Plus it gives you time to explore all those alternative funding sources people mentioned (AAUW grants, employer benefits, professional organization scholarships). I'd definitely encourage you to run those Federal Student Aid Estimator scenarios - seeing actual numbers instead of just worrying about unknowns makes such a difference in the decision-making process. And don't forget to check if your partner's employer offers any spousal education benefits! This community has truly created an incredible resource here. Best of luck with your planning process - it sounds like you're approaching this with exactly the right mindset and have all the tools you need to make a great decision together! 😊
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UPDATE: IT WORKED!!! I tried two things that I think fixed it: 1) Entered his name in ALL CAPS as someone suggested, and 2) Tried submitting at 3am when server traffic was lower. The verification went through immediately! His contribution section is now completed, and I was able to submit my FAFSA application. THANK YOU to everyone who offered advice! I'm so relieved to have this resolved before my aid deadline.
CosmicCadet
•Great news! Glad it worked out. Make sure to save your confirmation number and keep an eye on your SAI calculation in the coming weeks.
Mei Chen
•yay!!!! so happy for u!!!
Congratulations on getting it resolved! This thread is going to be so helpful for other people facing the same issue. The ALL CAPS + late night submission combo seems to be the magic formula. I'm bookmarking this for future reference since I'll probably need to help other students with FAFSA issues. Thanks for sharing your success story!
GalacticGuru
•This is such a relief to read! I'm new to the FAFSA process and was getting really worried about potential technical issues like this. It's great that the community here is so supportive and knowledgeable - I'll definitely remember these troubleshooting tips (ALL CAPS names and late-night submissions) if I run into similar problems. Thanks for documenting the solution!
QuantumQuasar
Hey @Ravi Kapoor! As someone who works in college financial aid, I wanted to jump in and clarify a few things. Your zero SAI is absolutely fantastic news - it means you qualify for maximum federal aid! However, I want to set realistic expectations: while you'll get the full Pell Grant (~$7,395) and qualify for subsidized loans, most students with zero SAI still have some costs to cover. Here's what I recommend: (1) Look for schools that meet 100% of demonstrated need - these will give you the best packages, (2) Apply to a mix of public and private schools since aid can vary wildly, (3) Check if your state has additional need-based grants, and (4) Don't forget about work-study earnings which can help with personal expenses. Also, when you get your aid offers, focus on the "net price" (what you actually pay) rather than the total aid amount. Some schools inflate their aid numbers by including loans you have to repay. Your zero SAI puts you in the best possible position for aid - now it's about choosing schools strategically. You're going to do great! 🎓
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QuantumQuasar
•@QuantumQuasar This is such valuable insight from someone who actually works in financial aid! Thank you for explaining the difference between total aid amounts and net price - I definitely would have been confused by schools that include loans in their "aid" packages. The tip about looking for schools that meet 100% of demonstrated need is huge - I had no idea that was even a thing! I'm going to research which schools on my list have that policy. It's really reassuring to hear from a professional that my zero SAI puts me in the best position possible. I feel so much more confident now about approaching this strategically rather than just hoping for the best. Thank you for taking the time to share your expertise!
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Zainab Abdulrahman
Hey @Ravi Kapoor! First off, huge congratulations on getting a zero SAI! 🎉 That really is the best possible outcome for financial aid eligibility. I totally understand the confusion though - the whole system is pretty counterintuitive where lower numbers are actually better! As a fellow first-gen student who went through this process, I wanted to add a few things that haven't been mentioned yet: (1) Make sure to complete your FAFSA verification quickly if selected - delays can cost you aid, (2) Look into your state's Cal Grant or equivalent programs (many have separate applications with earlier deadlines), (3) Consider applying to schools in different states that offer good aid to out-of-state students with high need, and (4) Don't overlook community college honors programs that have guaranteed transfer agreements with four-year universities. One thing that really helped me was joining Facebook groups for accepted students at each school I was considering - current students often share real experiences about what their actual costs ended up being with similar SAI numbers. The zero SAI opens doors, but doing your homework on each school's aid policies will help you walk through the right ones! You're already asking all the right questions, so I know you'll figure this out. 💪
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Charlie Yang
•@Zainab Abdulrahman Thank you so much for all these incredibly practical tips! I had no idea about FAFSA verification potentially causing delays - that s'definitely something I need to stay on top of. The suggestion about joining Facebook groups for accepted students is brilliant - getting real experiences from people with similar SAI numbers would be so helpful for setting realistic expectations. I also never considered looking at out-of-state schools that might offer good aid to high-need students, or community college honors programs with transfer agreements. That could be a really smart way to save money while still ending up with a great degree! It s'so encouraging to connect with other first-gen students who successfully navigated this process. All the advice from everyone here is making me feel like I actually have a solid plan instead of just crossing my fingers and hoping for the best. Thank you for taking the time to share such detailed guidance!
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