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Just wanted to add that when you do speak with an agent, ask them to check for what's called a "contributor record mismatch." This is the technical term for what's happening in your case. They may need to reset your contributor status in the system so it properly connects to your spouse's application. Make sure to write down the name of the agent and get a case number for your records.
Thank you SO much for that specific term! I'll definitely ask about the "contributor record mismatch" when I call. Having the right terminology will hopefully help get this resolved faster.
Yes! Finally got it resolved yesterday after using the Claimyr service that someone suggested above. Turns out there WAS an issue with how my 2014 records were migrated. The agent had to manually update my contributor status and cleared the error. My husband was able to submit his application right after the call. Hope you get yours fixed soon too!
Speaking of FAFSA problems, has anyone else noticed that the new SAI calculation seems completely off? My family income actually decreased this year but somehow my SAI is $4,500 higher than last year's EFC. Makes no sense whatsoever.
That's because the new FAFSA uses a different formula entirely. The SAI isn't directly comparable to the old EFC. The income protection allowance changed, and they eliminated some deductions that were previously available. Many families are seeing significant differences, both higher and lower.
UPDATE: Success! The incognito mode + keyboard navigation suggestion worked perfectly! I was able to enter my husband's birthdate and complete the contributor section. For anyone else having this issue, here's exactly what worked: 1. Chrome incognito window (Ctrl+Shift+N) 2. Logged into studentaid.gov 3. Used only Tab key to navigate between fields 4. Entered the date as MM/DD/YYYY with the forward slashes Now I'm finally able to submit our FAFSA! Thank you all for the help!
you know there may be loan forgiveness coming right??? shoulda waited maybe??? biden was talking about canceling like $10k for everybody, coulda saved some of that settlement money
The latest FAFSA loan forgiveness proposals are currently held up in court, and there's no guarantee when or if they'll be implemented. For someone going through adoption qualification where timing matters, waiting for potential forgiveness that might never come isn't practical advice. Plus, adoption agencies want to see actual debt reduction, not potential future reduction.
Congrats on being debt free!!! Quick question - did you have to pay taxes on your settlement? And will you have to pay taxes on the loan payoff? I know sometimes debt cancellation is considered taxable income, not sure if this is the same situation.
Great question. Personal injury settlements are generally not taxable income at the federal level. And since this wasn't debt cancellation but rather a complete payoff using personal funds, there's no tax implication for the loan payoff either. The OP essentially used their non-taxable settlement to pay a debt, which doesn't create a taxable event. However, state tax rules can vary, so it's always good to consult with a tax professional.
wait i'm confused... isn't FAFSA using the 2023 tax info now for the 2025-26 form? why are they looking at your 2022 taxes?
You're mixing up the tax years. For the 2025-2026 FAFSA, they'll use 2023 tax information. For the 2024-2025 FAFSA (the current application cycle), they use 2022 tax information. The OP is dealing with the current application cycle.
ohhh that makes sense!! i get so confused with all these different years lol
Update: I wanted to thank everyone for the advice! I followed the suggestions and contacted the financial aid office proactively. They were actually really understanding about our situation. They gave us a specific list of documents to provide: 1. Copy of our extension paperwork 2. Letter from our tax professional 3. Documentation of our Fresh Start program enrollment 4. An estimated income worksheet (they provided their own form) They said they'd put a note in my son's file and as long as we provide these documents within 30 days, his work-study shouldn't be affected. They also said we'll need to provide the actual tax return info once we file, but that can be handled through a professional judgment review as someone suggested. I feel so much better knowing what to expect rather than just waiting for a potential verification issue to pop up! Thanks again to everyone who shared their experiences and advice.
That's excellent news! This is exactly why proactive communication with the financial aid office is so important. They deal with these situations regularly and usually have established procedures. Glad to hear your son's work-study position shouldn't be affected.
Good for you! Wish we'd done the same instead of waiting for them to contact us. You probably saved yourself MONTHS of stress!!!
Liam Cortez
After trying for weeks to reach someone at FSA about a similar issue, I finally got through using Claimyr (claimyr.com). The agent told me there was a flag on my daughter's application that wasn't showing up on the portal. Apparently this happens quite often with the new FAFSA. They were able to resolve it during the call, and her SAI was calculated within 48 hours. The video demo shows exactly how it works: https://youtu.be/TbC8dZQWYNQ
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Ellie Lopez
•Thank you for sharing this! I'm going to try calling one more time tomorrow morning, and if that doesn't work, I'll look into this service. We're getting close to her school's priority deadline so I'm getting desperate.
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Chad Winthrope
any updates??? did u get through to someone? my friend is having the same issue now and im curious what happened
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Ellie Lopez
•Success! Finally got through to FSA this morning after trying that Claimyr service someone recommended above. Turns out there was a mismatch between how my name was entered on the FAFSA and how it appears in the tax system (I go by my middle name, but my legal first name is on my taxes). The agent fixed it while I was on the phone, and they said the SAI should be calculated within 3-5 business days. Such a relief!
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