Hello, I decided to post this here (for now) rather than the Financial Aid forum because I want to ask specifically UC students/those familiar with the UC system.
Brief context: I submitted my FAFSA with both of my parents’ incomes in January, even though they have been separated for some time (not divorced, just separated). I assumed they had to be legally divorced to only submit one, but I am making that correction now and updating my FAFSA with only one parent (the parent I’m living with more, since they’re living in separate residences), something that will change my aid by quite a lot.
I’m posting this to ask if there’s anyone who’s been through a similar experience with updating UC financial aid or making FAFSA corrections–was that all you had to do? Update your FAFSA and wait several business days and the UC(s) in question updated your aid? Or do you have to push forward for it, maybe even submit an appeal? I’m wondering because I need to see my updated aid for a few schools as soon as I can, or if my aid will even be updated given how late it is.
As always, any answers are appreciated even if they’re tips/general advice, just wondering about UC’s financial aid update process. Thanks!
Yes, updating your fafsa is the first step.
Based on my personal experiences and what I know about fa system so far, here’s what you need to do next:
- Wait 3-4 business days for the fafsa system to update. FA of each UC update really quickly. I updated my fafsa 2 days before the d-day but by the time I checked my offer, all school has my latest information.
- While waiting, keep checking your FA package to see if there is any change reflected. If not, call the FA office after 3-4 days and ask them to review your case directly.
- 90% the FA office will contact you first for verification. If they don't contact you and there's nothing change, keep knocking on the door. If they adjust your aid, then, congrats, everything is settled.
Remember, make sure you hear something back within one week. You don’t really have much time left to keep waiting.
@bizmlover Thanks a bunch, I was expecting this to be a process that requires a lot of half-hoping and pushing from my end. I called Berkeley financial aid and they told me the same thing basically, to just wait for the FAFSA to update and if they need verification they’ll ask for it then.
Which brings up another question: I originally sent my FAFSA to 5 UC schools at the time I submitted it (months ago). However this time I just chose to send it to two schools I was deciding between. Is that fine? I don’t have plans to attend the other three schools I “took off” the list. My main rationale was that having it update for all 5 schools would be a pain as each school might independently do their own verification process, and I thought it would be an inconvenience especially if I didn’t have any intention to go to the other schools (now that I know where I’ve gotten into and am deciding between). I guess the question is just, do I have to worry about the other schools? Or just leave them be and don’t look back? Haha
Yea if you remove other schools from your fafsa, their system won’t receive your financial aid info anymore. What may happen is, they desperately want you and will try to email you for updating info 
So in order to reduce the work for them and the emails you receive, just decline the admission from schools you won’t go. It helps students in the waitlist too!
@bizmlover alright, just declined admission from the other schools and hopefully another equally capable student took my place. Now to do the waiting…gosh this is like another mini-application cycle again. Not with the same intensity as admission but just waiting on my aid to update because it can vastly influence my decision…we’ll see…!
Hope everything going well for you! If they approve your status, at least you can be qualified for middle class scholarship!’
Btw I just SIR’ed to Cal. I want to settle down everything and study for the final. I have 3 tests, 6 finals for the next 2 weeks… :(( so well, I’d better work my b*** off ! You can’t go wrong with either school. Good luck!
@bizmlover Congrats on your decision, I’m happy for you! Good luck in the rest of your time at your CC, you can do it! And maybe I’ll even join you in Cal (!)
Hahha thank you! It’ll be cool if we both end up with cal!