Just wanted to jump in as someone currently going through this process! My son is also starting fall 2025 and we're in a similar boat. One thing I learned from calling our school's financial aid office is that they actually encourage parents to create their FSA ID account NOW if you haven't already - that way you're ready to go the moment the PLUS loan application opens. The FSA ID creation process can take a few days to verify, so getting that done early saves time later. Also, our school's financial aid counselor mentioned that if you have questions about the award letter when it arrives, don't hesitate to schedule a phone appointment with them. They can often explain exactly how much you'd need to borrow and walk you through the next steps. The whole process is definitely nerve-wracking but at least we're all figuring it out together!

As a new parent navigating this process, this thread has been incredibly helpful! I'm in a similar situation with my daughter starting fall 2025. One question I haven't seen addressed - for those who've done this before, do schools typically send award letters all at once or do they trickle in over weeks/months? I'm trying to plan when to expect ours so I can start the Parent PLUS process with enough time before any deposit deadlines. Also, has anyone had experience with appealing financial aid awards if the package isn't sufficient? I'm wondering if that's something to try before committing to a large Parent PLUS loan amount.

Just to follow up - did any of the suggestions work? Were you able to get your son's dependency status corrected on the FAFSA? If you're still having trouble, another option is to complete and submit the FAFSA as is (even with the incorrect independent status), then immediately submit a correction. Sometimes the correction process works more reliably than the initial application for resolving dependency issues.

I'm dealing with a similar issue right now with my daughter's FAFSA! It's so frustrating how buggy the new system is. One thing that helped us was making sure she was logged in with her own FSA ID (not mine) and completely clearing all browser data before starting fresh. Also, I noticed you mentioned your son is 20 - just double-check that his birth year is entered correctly on the application. Even a small typo there can trigger the system to classify him as independent. The dependency questions are super sensitive this year. If all else fails, your son's financial aid office should be able to help sort this out even after submission. Hang in there!

Based on your responses to other comments, it sounds like you're dealing with two separate issues: 1. Schools that require additional institutional forms (which you found on two portals) 2. Schools with confusing portals where requirements aren't clear For the confusing portals, look specifically for sections labeled: - "Financial Aid Requirements" - "To-Do List" - "Outstanding Documents" - "Required Documents" Also, check if any are requesting verification documents. Common verification requests include: - Income verification forms - Tax return transcripts - W-2 statements - Family size verification If you truly can't figure it out through the portals, calling is unfortunately your best option. Financial aid offices are swamped this time of year, but this is too important to leave to chance.

So glad you got it sorted out! This is exactly why I always tell families to expect the unexpected with financial aid - even when you think you've done everything right, there's often some additional step or form that schools require. The CSS Profile is such a common "gotcha" because not all schools are clear about requiring it alongside FAFSA. Your experience will definitely help other families going through the same panic! Congrats on securing those scholarships - that's amazing that 3 out of 4 schools offered her aid!

Great advice everyone! Just wanted to add one more thing that helped me when I went through this with my twins last year - create a simple document or spreadsheet with all your financial information (AGI, taxes paid, assets, etc.) before you start either FAFSA. This way you have one master reference that ensures you enter identical information for both children. I also included the dates I completed each section so I could track my progress. Made the whole process much smoother and eliminated any worry about inconsistent data entry!

As a parent who just went through this process, I can confirm what everyone else is saying - definitely submit your daughter's FAFSA parent portion now! Don't wait for your son. I made that mistake with my older two kids a few years back and almost missed priority deadlines. One thing I'll add that I learned the hard way: when you're filling out the household information, make absolutely sure you count your son as being "in college" for the 2025-26 academic year, even though he's currently just a sophomore in high school. The FAFSA is asking about the upcoming academic year (2025-26), not the current year. This is a common mistake that can cost families thousands in aid eligibility. Also, keep detailed notes of every number you enter - bank account balances, investment values, the exact date you're using for asset reporting, etc. When you do your son's FAFSA later, you'll want those figures to match exactly to avoid verification headaches.

One more tip - make sure you're filling out the 2025-2026 FAFSA if your daughter is starting college next fall. The application periods changed recently and some people are still filling out the wrong year's form!

I went through this exact same confusion when I filled out my son's FAFSA two years ago! The interface could definitely be clearer about this. Just to add to what everyone else has said - yes, it's the parent's birthdate in the parent section. One thing that helped me was to think of each section as literally being filled out BY that person. So the student section is as if your daughter is filling it out herself (her info), and the parent section is as if you're filling it out about yourself (your info). Also, if you're married and filing jointly, you'll need both parents' birthdates. Good luck with the application - you're doing great by being careful and asking questions!