Just wanted to add that if you're using the new contributor system, make sure to save your FSA ID login info somewhere safe! I made the mistake of forgetting mine halfway through the process and had to go through the whole identity verification again. Also, a heads up - the system sometimes takes 24-48 hours to process contributor invitations, so don't panic if your kids can't immediately access your information after you submit it. Plan for a little buffer time before their deadlines just in case there are any technical hiccups.

As someone who's been helping families navigate FAFSA for years, I just want to emphasize something that's gotten lost in all the discussion about timing - make sure you're consistent not just with income figures, but also with asset reporting! I've seen families get flagged because they reported different bank account balances or investment values between siblings' applications. The snapshot date for assets should be the same for both kids, typically the date you first submit a FAFSA. Also, if you have a 529 plan that benefits both children, make sure you're reporting it consistently on both applications. The new contributor system helps a lot, but asset consistency is still something you need to watch manually.

As a newcomer to this community, I'm really grateful for this incredibly detailed discussion! This situation perfectly illustrates how complex FAFSA planning can be, and I'm learning so much from everyone's experiences and expertise. Emily's insight about the prior-prior year timing seems like it could be the most crucial factor here - if the 2025 income won't impact FAFSA until 2027-2028, that's a completely different timeline than what initially seemed like immediate consequences. That gives Shelby's family nearly two full years to prepare financially rather than scrambling for next semester. However, I'd echo the advice about verifying this with the financial aid office, particularly regarding: 1) Any institutional scholarships that might have different income assessment timelines 2) Whether maintaining full-time student status is feasible with a full-time job 3) Getting actual projections on the financial impact for when it does hit The 50% student income assessment rate is definitely steep, but with proper planning time, the long-term career benefits of a $42k opportunity might well outweigh the temporary aid reduction. Plus, if he can save aggressively during those two years of higher earnings, they might be able to partially offset the future aid loss. One additional thought - has anyone explored whether there are any work-study programs at his school that might offer similar income potential but with better FAFSA treatment? It's a long shot, but worth investigating all options before making the final decision.

As a newcomer to this community, I'm really impressed by the depth and quality of advice shared here! This discussion has been incredibly enlightening, especially Emily's crucial point about the prior-prior year timing that seems to have been overlooked initially. If I'm understanding correctly, the 2025 income won't actually impact his FAFSA until the 2027-2028 academic year (junior year), which completely changes the urgency of this decision. That gives Shelby's family almost two full years to prepare financially rather than facing immediate consequences. A few additional considerations I haven't seen mentioned: 1) **Tax withholdings strategy**: If he does take the job, he might want to adjust his tax withholdings to have more taken out upfront, creating a larger refund that could be saved specifically for future college costs. 2) **529 plan contributions**: If the family has a 529 education savings account, some of his earnings could potentially be contributed there (depending on state tax benefits and family dynamics), which might help offset future aid reductions. 3) **Gap year consideration**: With this income timeline, he could even consider taking a gap year after sophomore year to work full-time and build substantial savings before the FAFSA impact hits in junior year. The key seems to be treating this as a longer-term strategic decision rather than an immediate crisis. The career opportunity and networking benefits of starting early in his field could be invaluable for his post-graduation prospects. Definitely echo everyone's advice to get concrete numbers from the financial aid office - but this timing insight makes the decision much less stressful!

oh also tell her to apply for scholarhsips for foster youth even if shes just in guardianship!! my cousin got like 3 different ones bc there not many people who apply for them!

Just wanted to add another resource that might be helpful - the National Foster Youth Institute has a FAFSA guide specifically for youth who aged out of foster care or are in guardianship situations. They break down all the dependency questions really clearly and have sample documentation you might need. Also, don't forget to look into your state's tuition waiver programs for former foster youth - many states have these even for students in guardianship situations. Your daughter might qualify for in-state tuition waivers or other benefits beyond just federal aid. Worth checking with your state's higher education agency!

That's fantastic news! I'm so glad you were able to get the help you needed and that the financial aid office was more supportive once they understood your situation. Your experience is a perfect example of why it's so important to advocate for yourself and ask questions - the FAFSA system can be confusing, but there are often solutions available if you know how to navigate it. The combination of potentially getting a Pell Grant AND having employer tuition assistance options sounds like a great outcome. Thanks for sharing your update - it gives hope to other families in similar situations. Best of luck to your son with his HVAC program!

This is such an inspiring update! Your persistence really paid off, and I'm so glad you didn't give up after that initial disappointing response. The inherited property issue is actually more common than people realize - FAFSA's asset calculations can be really tricky when you have property you can't actually liquidate. Your experience is going to help so many other families who might be in similar situations but don't know about professional judgment reviews or special circumstances forms. The employer-sponsored route is brilliant too - getting paid while training AND having a guaranteed job afterward sounds like the ideal situation. Best of luck with the recalculation and the tuition assistance programs!

Just wanted to add my experience as someone who's completed the PLUS loan process for all 4 years with my son who graduated last year. The annual reapplication definitely becomes routine, but here are a few things that helped us: 1) We set up a dedicated folder (digital and physical) to track all PLUS loan documents each year, 2) I created a simple spreadsheet to track the different interest rates and amounts borrowed each year, and 3) Most importantly, we treated each year as a separate financial decision rather than assuming we'd automatically borrow the same amount. Some years we were able to borrow less because of summer earnings or additional scholarships. The key is staying organized and not getting overwhelmed by the year-to-year uncertainty. It's definitely stressful, but thousands of families successfully navigate this process every year. You've got this!

I'm in a very similar situation with my daughter starting college next year, and this thread has been incredibly eye-opening! I had no idea we'd need to reapply annually - I was assuming the PLUS loan approval was good for all four years. Reading everyone's experiences, it sounds like the key things I need to prepare for are: keeping our credit in good shape each year, applying for FAFSA as early as possible (October 1st!), and being ready for the loan amounts to potentially change based on tuition increases and changes in her other aid. The idea of making interest payments during school to prevent capitalization is something I hadn't considered but makes a lot of financial sense. Thanks to everyone who shared their real experiences - both the success stories and the cautionary tales. It's helpful to know what to expect, even if the annual uncertainty is stressful. At least now I can plan accordingly instead of being caught off guard!