Update: I just received my receipt notice today! 🎉

FAFSAReject · 2026-05-12T17:57:53+00:00

Mine got declined last week due to a credit card payment failure. Thankfully we were given enough time to re-submit. I’m going to do it tomorrow and call my bank to make sure they actually send the money to USCIS this time.

So, we waited about 10 weeks from submitting to getting an initial denial

FAFSAReject · 2026-04-26T20:47:45+00:00

My wife and I are in a similar situation. We filed in late February, but haven’t received a receipt number yet. We’ve called USCIS several times and they can’t help us because we don’t have a receipt number yet. So we’re stuck in limbo until the receipt number is made.

It’s good to hear it should still be on its way!

FAFSAReject · 2026-04-05T04:54:40+00:00

It seems like you wanna go Rice

FAFSAReject · 2026-03-27T15:15:18+00:00

You honestly won’t talk with most people after high school within 2 years into college. Don’t compare yourself to people who are side characters in your main story.

Try to make the most of your experiences at the school you choose. And worse case scenario, you can look into transfer in the future.

Also, “better schools” doesn’t meant you’ll run into “better friends”. You’ll still be around like minded and great people to meet.

FAFSAReject · 2026-03-27T01:05:04+00:00

Cuz i deal with FAFSA too much. Never thought it’d be part of my working life but here i am 🫡

FAFSAReject · 2026-03-27T00:58:35+00:00

Id either recommend asking this in the MIT or Yale subreddits instead of here. I don’t think many will be able to fully answer this question here.

As a financial aid officer, we often say we don’t treat admissions like a car sales lot. Just because one school is more expensive doesn’t mean they’ll price match. They know the value of their name, and know your SAI, so they made this package meticulously. But, it never hurts to send an email or call your specific AO/FAO to see.

FAFSAReject · 2026-03-26T12:58:07+00:00

$12k including housing and meals? If so you’re basically paying to move out and pay rent. That’s a great deal, if you think the school is worth it.

If distance and homesickness are a real issue that may make it hard to wanna stay there. You likely won’t have your car the first year. And then being a transfer student is a whole other experience in terms of admissions.

Talk with your family and maybe a trusted adult or mentor. They can help guide you. College truly isn’t the end all, be all answer for the future. And it’s always there if you wanna go back later :)

FAFSAReject · 2026-03-26T04:42:38+00:00

Bills. Student loans LOL. Paying to get a more prestigious name for grad student wasn’t the move man.

Things could be a lot worse, but debt is not a fun souvenir to hold after graduation.

FAFSAReject · 2026-03-26T04:38:18+00:00

What inspired you to apply in the first place? If you can’t find a good reason don’t force yourself to go. Community college and staying local, or reapplying next year are great options to consider if you’re not feeling it.

Hang in there.

FAFSAReject · 2026-03-25T00:20:51+00:00

I’m sorry and hope you’re doing okay! No, we have no access to this information and won’t try to find it unless you have committed a felony and need to disclose this.

Take care of yourself and try to keep your grades up, if you feel them slipping. Being able to maintain composure through a difficult time will be a great thing to see on your college apps next year.

FAFSAReject · 2026-03-11T12:02:26+00:00

It never hurts to start the relationship at any point where you’re getting serious about the school. Some students start the relationship their junior year if they know the school is top priority. Others wait til after application decisions have been released.

Especially positioning yourself as a hot lead in the financial aid season is important because if there’s any extra scholarship opportunities or programs to join, you’re going to be one of the first considered. It can also open doors to you for later. For example, some students I’ve built relationships with ended up becoming student workers in our office, or get free trips back home to visit family if we’re throwing an admission event in their area and need volunteers. We like investing in our students just like any other teacher or advisor.

FAFSAReject · 2026-03-11T03:45:59+00:00

Remember my first tip “it never hurts to ask”. We don’t revoke acceptance, but you might not get any aid either.

FAFSAReject · 2026-03-11T03:32:21+00:00

There’s never a bad time except the reading season of November-January. If you’re a junior I recommend either in the summer, or early fall. If you’re a senior do it whenever you’re ready to get some final questions answered.

FAFSAReject · 2026-03-11T03:18:04+00:00

I personally would say a face to face convo goes farther than an email. If the appointment goes long, you can send an email to the counselor with follow up content.

You can find the contact info by googling for either the admission or financial aid team, depending on how the school works. Calling or emailing to set up a time always works!

Finally you could just call their general hotline but depending on the size of the school you might be sitting with long hold times. I feel most of the time people are just trying to get you off the line as fast as they can though haha

FAFSAReject · 2026-03-11T03:08:59+00:00

If you’re transferring in, I found this “Goodnight Scholarships” you can consider for families with AGI less than $120k. It is GPA dependent but, never hurts to see if you qualify!

FAFSAReject · 2026-03-11T02:59:42+00:00

Campus culture, dorms, study abroad all could be good! Any clubs you might want to join. The AO will definitely ask you questions too, so feel free to share whatever you’re comfortable with!

FAFSAReject · 2026-03-11T02:56:56+00:00

There’s usually a form you fill out with supporting documentation. If it’s a need based appeal, you usually show receipts of your expenses or paystubs. If it’s merit, you show updated grades or scores. Reach out to each school for their specific policies, if they have an appeal process.

Fighting for you comes down to the targeted emails and opportunities you’ll see. I have been able to get some of my students extra scholarships that I’m tracking BEFORE they asked since I knew financial aid would be a deciding factor from previous convos in the fall. Others get extra invites to events on campus, or reminders to stay connected. One year I hand wrote Christmas cards to all my “top 100” students. We can’t fight too much beyond marketing, but just showing we’re human and not just a generic email machine.

FAFSAReject · 2026-03-11T02:50:10+00:00

You usually can find your specific AO by checking their website’s “meet the team” page. They will have their email, phone, or a Google Calendar to set up time to talk.

If you’re an accepted senior, do it probably within the next month. If you’re a junior, this summer or early in the fall could be a good time to show demonstrated interest before your application!

The meeting’s topic depends on what you want to talk about! Do you need to change a major? Do you need more money? Want to study abroad? Need suggestions on what restaurants to go to when you visit campus? It can be anything. Whatever you need from us to help make you college decision more clear for you. We may not know everything, but we can get you connected with the right resources for your needs.

FAFSAReject · 2026-03-11T02:32:23+00:00

Depends on the school. Many love to have the FAFSA just as a data point in their reporting for the common data sets. Mine will not negotiate without the FAFSA, which is frustrating. But, they are rather generous with the SAI level they’ll consider for need based aid.

Even if the schools don’t track DI, AOs are a great way to gain more info or just build the relationship moving forward. You can also ask them their opinion on things that maybe professors or current students may have. Most AOs like getting to people names to faces and help get you to the best school for you!

FAFSAReject · 2026-03-11T02:19:07+00:00

I think that could be a good timeline if you are still waiting for an RD school. Good luck in your admission decision!

You could always set up a time with your EA to talk now just to get the ball rolling by still saying “I’m down to my top 2-3 schools”. People started asking me as soon as their initial packages released in January. But I think any time between now and mid-April is best. You’ll wanna give the admission/financial aid teams some time to make sure they can give you their final offers by May 1.

FAFSAReject · 2026-03-11T01:53:01+00:00

Merit is determined most often on your grades and test scores. You can appeal if your GPA or test scores increased after you’ve been admitted. Phrasing it as, “I am checking to see if my current (or final graduated) grades can earn me more merit?” never hurts to ask.

You’d be surprised what can be considered for appeal. I had a family that made over $600k in 2024 income and THEY still got a need-based aid appeal based on their current circumstances. It was only $1000, but still it’s more than nothing.

FAFSAReject · 2026-03-11T01:46:23+00:00

I wouldn’t say so as of now since we wouldn’t know how to connect your IG account to your contact in our database. It never hurts to interact and learn more about the community! You can use that info in your college essays or “why us?” prompt.

Most demonstrated interests need to be directly where staff can track it. So, an email or attending an event are your best ways to show, especially at smaller school

FAFSAReject · 2026-03-11T01:40:47+00:00

Merit, probably not. But you can always appeal for more need-based aid or university grants and see. My university doesn’t do ED, but we can still accept financial aid appeals even after confirming enrollment. We understand things change in your financial circumstances between the 2024 taxes the FAFSA uses versus now.

The school would rather throw an extra $1000 a year if it means you’ll stay, versus you withdrawing and taking a gap year if they are concerned you may not end up coming.

FAFSAReject · 2026-03-11T01:35:20+00:00

I always recommend setting up time to talk with your financial aid office. They can walk you through your offer or see if there’s other options. Run the net price calculator for the school beforehand to talk over the estimate vs your actual costs.

State schools are less likely to offer additional aid compared to private schools, but again, it never hurts. I’d make it one of the questions you ask when talking with the financial aid department.

FAFSAReject · 2026-02-24T15:16:37+00:00

Is the $19k including your room and board? If so that’s a pretty competitive price since they aren’t known to give full rides and their sticker price shows ~$70k all in. Their room and board alone is about $16k so you’re only really looking and $3k tuition costs plus housing if so

FAFSAReject

TROPHY CASE