If your confirmation page shows the last 4 digits of both SSNs and indicates completion, you should be all set. Just make sure you both signed the FAFSA with your FSA IDs at the end. One last tip - save a PDF copy of your confirmation page for your records. You'll need your SAI score once it's calculated, which should happen within 3-5 business days if there are no verification issues.

I just went through this same process with my son last month and had the exact same panic! The new FAFSA system definitely takes some getting used to. One thing that helped ease my mind was logging back into both our FSA ID accounts and checking that our profiles showed our SSNs were verified - you can see a green checkmark next to "Identity Verified" in your account dashboard. Also, if you're still worried, you can always check your Student Aid Report (SAR) once it's processed in a few days - it will show your SSNs are properly linked. The system really is more secure this way, even though it feels weird not manually entering that critical info like we used to!

Thank you all for the helpful advice! I decided to cancel the application and start fresh. We cleared browser cache, used Chrome instead of Safari, and made sure to double-check every section before continuing. It worked perfectly this time! Her info is correctly showing as student only, and my information is properly listed under Parent 1. The SAI preview number looks much more reasonable now too. What a relief! For anyone else having this problem, definitely just cancel and start over rather than waiting for verification to fail.

I'm so glad I found this thread! I'm a college freshman and just went through this nightmare with my mom last fall. We had the exact same issue where my info was showing up in both student and parent sections. After reading all these responses, I want to add that you should also make sure to print or screenshot your final FAFSA summary page once everything is correct. The system sometimes has display glitches even after submission, and having that documentation saved us when our school's financial aid office had questions about our SAI calculation. Also, don't panic if you get selected for verification even with correct info - it's totally random this year and doesn't mean you did anything wrong!

For those saying that the FASFA opens in December, that is not correct. The FAFSA is currently scheduled to open on October 1st for the 26-27 school year. Last year it was delayed until December 1st so that is where they are getting that date mistakenly,

I completely understand feeling overwhelmed - I felt the same way when my oldest was a junior! You're smart to start early. Just to confirm what others have said, the FAFSA for 2026-2027 will indeed open December 1, 2025. Here's my advice as someone who's been through this twice now: **Start preparing NOW:** - Create FSA IDs for both you and your daughter at studentaid.gov (seriously, do this ASAP - verification can take weeks) - Start organizing your 2024 tax documents (you'll need these for the application) - Make a list of schools she's interested in and research their specific financial aid deadlines - Use the Federal Student Aid Estimator to get a ballpark figure **December 1st strategy:** - Don't stress about being first in line at midnight - you have time - Complete the application when the website is stable (avoid peak hours) - Double-check everything before submitting - corrections are a pain **Key dates to remember:** - FAFSA opens: December 1, 2025 - Most college deadlines: January-March 2026 - State grant deadlines: varies by state (some as early as January) You're already ahead of most parents by asking these questions now. Take a deep breath - you've got this! 🙂

Glad to hear you got some positive news from your financial aid office! For anyone else reading this thread who might be in a similar situation in the future, here's a quick reference for FAFSA deadlines: • Federal FAFSA Deadline: June 30, 2026 (for 2025-2026 school year) • Corrections/Updates Deadline: September 14, 2026 • School Deadlines: Typically January-March before the academic year • State Deadlines: Vary widely, check https://studentaid.gov/apply-for-aid/fafsa/fafsa-deadlines Remember that your SAI (Student Aid Index) calculation and financial aid package will be processed faster the earlier you apply. Even if you haven't missed deadlines, earlier applications typically receive more favorable aid packages.

As someone who went through a similar panic last year, I just want to emphasize what others have said about contacting your financial aid office directly. Even though you missed the priority deadline, many schools have some flexibility, especially if you can demonstrate extenuating circumstances like being overwhelmed with finals. One thing I wish I had known earlier is that some schools also have "summer melt" funding - money that becomes available when other students don't enroll or drop out. This usually happens in June/July, so even if you don't get institutional aid initially, there might be additional opportunities later. Also, don't forget to look into private scholarships! Many have deadlines throughout the year, and some are specifically for students who missed initial aid deadlines. Sites like Fastweb and Scholarships.com can help you find ones that are still accepting applications. You're doing the right thing by acting quickly now. Good luck!

Thank you everyone for your helpful responses! I feel much better now understanding that the SAI isn't necessarily our exact out-of-pocket cost. We're going to: 1. Contact State University's financial aid office directly 2. Look into more scholarship opportunities 3. Consider calling FSA to understand our SAI calculation better 4. Wait for the official aid package before panicking This community has been incredibly helpful - way more informative than the confusing official websites!

As someone who just went through this process with my daughter, I wanted to add that it's also worth looking into whether State University offers any payment plan options. Even if your final out-of-pocket cost ends up being close to your SAI, many schools let you spread payments over 10-12 months instead of paying each semester upfront. This can make a big difference for cash flow! Also, don't forget about work-study opportunities - these aren't always reflected in the initial aid package but can help reduce your actual costs by $2,000-3,000 per year.