Opinion: FAFSA mess could cost me my chance at college

Editor’s Note: This article was written for Mosaic Vision, an independent journalism training program for high school students who report and photograph stories under the guidance of professional journalists.

Since a young age, I have dreamed of going to college. But I couldn’t take it for granted and had to work hard to realize it. As the child of immigrant parents who each work multiple jobs, I also worked while making sure I did well in school.

This year, I was elated to win acceptances from six universities and colleges. But now I’m afraid I may have to decline them all — because of the chaos and uncertainty over federal financial aid.

I’m feeling irritated — and afraid.

To qualify for financial aid, students must fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid. Better known as FAFSA, it can lead to thousands of dollars awarded to students to pursue higher education.

This school year, the government claimed it would simplify the complicated form, and reduced the number of questions from more than 100 to 36. But other changes turned the process into a chaotic, stressful and emotional experience. Now I wonder if I will be able to attend college at all, let alone graduate.

Plenty of other students are in the same situation.

On the FAFSA we must fill out the Social Security number of parents, but for children of some immigrants that creates a problem. Their parents do not have Social Security numbers.

When the government opened applications Dec. 31, students like me could not complete the FAFSA without providing those numbers.

Eventually, around mid-January I noticed a new button on the form that allowed me to skip the SSN. I was so relieved to find out I did not have to worry about that — until I read that we needed to provide some kind of verification by calling a 1-800 number. But the form gave no instructions on what type of verification was needed.

My counselors suggested calling the FAFSA toll-free number. Unfortunately the line was continuously busy. I woke up early to start calling at 5 a.m., without success. Either the system would hang up on me or leave me on hold until I had to leave for school.

Eventually counselors said to just wait until February, but now almost at the end of the month, I have not heard anything new.

This leads to an even bigger problem, because California now requires students to complete the FAFSA in order to graduate high school.

Only one out of eight of my friends have filled out the form and submitted it. Her parents have Social Security numbers. But she is still worried about the SAI, or Student Aid Index. This determines how much money she will be given and helps schools decide how much to offer them. FAFSA will not release student SAIs until mid-March. This conflicts with thousands of universities which ask for SAIs usually around the end of February.

The rest of us still have not been able to complete the FAFSA. With various deadlines around the corner, I’m terrified of not being able to determine what university — if any — I can attend. I’m worried that I will not get the money I would have received if I was able to complete it sooner. And I’m worried it won’t be enough.

All these FAFSA changes are penalizing students like me, children of hard-working immigrants with big dreams.

Why does the government keep making changes and creating new problems? Will this confusing process end in time to enable us to get to college?

Elda Alvarez is a senior at Latino College Preparatory Academy in San Jose.