On our SAR this year (just filed Friday, processed today, for 2017-18 year, DS’s last), next to our EFC, is the letter “C”. It says: “EFC: ###### C”. In past years we have had just the five-digit number (last two years), or the number followed by “*” (which meant that the FAFSA had been randomly selected for verification) (freshman year).
Does anyone know what the “C” means?
Oh, I just found it. Apparently it means there is “some questionable information” on the FAFSA. I think this may be because DS’s school changed a number on our 2016-17 FAFSA (which we imported from the IRS). This year (using 2015 info, again imported from the IRS) I once again left it as is (because it’s actually correct, based on our tax return). So maybe they are triggering on the difference between the 16-17 FAFSA, as corrected by the school, and the 17-18 one I just filed.
It means something is questionable, you should contact them to find out where they think there is a discrepancy.
There are a number of things that prompt a SAR C code. Is there a comment code 399 anywhere on your SAR? If so, it does have to do with the cross-year edits performed between the 16-17 and 17-18 FAFSAs with regards to reported income. If this is the case, your school will request information to resolve the code (actually, in the case of any C code, the school will be in touch to request info - so the student should be sure to watch his/her school email for any requests from the aid office - chances are, they are not yet looking at 17-18, though).
https://fafsa.ed.gov/fotw1718/help/parentIncome.htm
Make sure that “income from working” for each parent includes all the lines 7, 12, 18, 14 from form 1040, as described in above link.
Quoted from above link:
The DRT only brings in AGI and income from working for both parents combined, if filing jointly.