Based on the 2025-2026 FAFSA guidelines, having the student begin the application is the technically correct approach. The student is the applicant (even if they're a dependent) and parents are considered contributors. The current FAFSA form was redesigned with this workflow in mind. Technically speaking, the student should: 1. Create their FSA ID (if they haven't already) 2. Start the FAFSA application using their FSA ID 3. Complete the student demographic section 4. Select their schools 5. Answer dependency status questions 6. Use the "Invite a Contributor" function to have parents complete their section Then the parent: 1. Receives the invitation 2. Logs in with their own FSA ID 3. Completes only the parent financial information section 4. Signs with their FSA ID Finally, the student returns to review everything and submit the completed application. Following this process reduces errors and confusion.

Thanks everyone for all your helpful responses! It's clear that having my daughter start the application first is the right approach. I'll make sure she initiates it and completes her sections before I jump in to help with the parent information. Really appreciate all the insights - especially about the communication going to her email and the importance of building ownership in the process. This community is amazing!

Also make sure they put in the correct Asset Net Worth and don't include their primary residence in that amount!!! I see SO MANY FAFSA forms where people accidentally include their home value and it totally messes up their SAI (Student Aid Index) calculation. The system doesn't catch this error and it can make it look like they have WAY more assets than they really do for aid purposes.

Illinois has a FAFSA priority date of December 1st for state aid through the MAP Grant program, so they've already missed that for full consideration. However, they should still complete it ASAP as MAP Grants are awarded until funds are depleted. For citizenship documentation, they need: - Dates of citizenship for both student and parent - Alien Registration Numbers (if they had them before citizenship) - Be prepared to provide copies of naturalization certificates if selected for verification One more tip: When entering the parent's information, she should use EXACTLY the same name as it appears on her Social Security card. Any discrepancy can cause processing delays.

This whole system is RIGGED against families trying to do the right thing!!! My husband and I actually postponed our wedding for 2 years because of FAFSA implications for his kids. The whole time I felt like we were being PUNISHED for wanting to get married! Why should the government basically force people to choose between marriage and affordable education for their kids? It's absolutely INSANE that getting married can cost your children tens of thousands in financial aid!!

To clarify something important regarding the wedding timing: Your 2026 income would indeed affect aid for the twins starting in their 2028-29 freshman year, as FAFSA uses prior-prior year tax information. If you're married in 2026 or earlier, your income will be counted on their freshman year FAFSA. However, if you wait to marry until 2027, your income wouldn't impact their financial aid until sophomore year. This could be a compromise approach - not delaying marriage until after college, but postponing it just enough to give them one year of potentially higher aid. Regarding your original question about assets vs. income: With $320K in non-retirement assets plus a vacation property, your fiancé's assets are substantial. After the Asset Protection Allowance (which is quite low these days, often under $10K for parents in their 40s-50s), the remaining assets are assessed at 5.64%. Basically, a rough estimation shows his assets might already be adding approximately $17,000-18,000 to their SAI. Your additional income could add considerably more, potentially pushing them well beyond the threshold for need-based aid at many public universities. I'd recommend consulting with a financial aid professional who specializes in divorce/remarriage situations to get personalized guidance.

i went through this EXACT situation last year. ended up taking out private loans with sallie mae because the parent plus loan wasnt enough. now im paying 11.2% interest and its killing me. dont do what i did. cut costs where u can like ur doing. wish id been as smart as u.

One more suggestion that might help: Many schools have payment plans that let you spread the cost over 10-12 months instead of paying each semester in full. This can reduce the need for loans and give you more flexibility. The enrollment fee is usually around $50-75, which is WAY less than loan interest. Just ask the student accounts office about it - it's not always well advertised.

lol this is why im taking a gap year the fafsa is such a mess this time around. good luck!!!

Just to follow up on your question about timing - most schools understand the FAFSA transmission issues this year and are being flexible with their internal financial aid deadlines. However, it's still best to be proactive. Contact each school's financial aid office this week, provide the verification that your FAFSA is processed (screenshots), and ask them to manually retrieve the data. Also, double-check that your daughter's FSA ID is properly linked to her Social Security Number. Sometimes the DOB correction can cause authentication issues if there's any mismatch with SSA records.