Can't reach FAFSA? Claimyr connects you to a live FAFSA agent in minutes.
Claimyr is a pay-as-you-go service. We do not charge a recurring subscription.
Using Claimyr will:
- Connect you to a human agent at the FAFSA
- Skip the long phone menu
- Call the correct department
- Redial until on hold
- Forward a call to your phone with reduced hold time
- Give you free callbacks if the FAFSA drops your call
If I could give 10 stars I would
If I could give 10 stars I would If I could give 10 stars I would Such an amazing service so needed during the times when EDD almost never picks up Claimyr gets me on the phone with EDD every time without fail faster. A much needed service without Claimyr I would have never received the payment I needed to support me during my postpartum recovery. Thank you so much Claimyr!
Really made a difference
Really made a difference, save me time and energy from going to a local office for making the call.
Worth not wasting your time calling for hours.
Was a bit nervous or untrusting at first, but my calls went thru. First time the wait was a bit long but their customer chat line on their page was helpful and put me at ease that I would receive my call. Today my call dropped because of EDD and Claimyr heard my concern on the same chat and another call was made within the hour.
An incredibly helpful service
An incredibly helpful service! Got me connected to a CA EDD agent without major hassle (outside of EDD's agents dropping calls – which Claimyr has free protection for). If you need to file a new claim and can't do it online, pay the $ to Claimyr to get the process started. Absolutely worth it!
Consistent,frustration free, quality Service.
Used this service a couple times now. Before I'd call 200 times in less than a weak frustrated as can be. But using claimyr with a couple hours of waiting i was on the line with an representative or on hold. Dropped a couple times but each reconnected not long after and was mission accomplished, thanks to Claimyr.
IT WORKS!! Not a scam!
I tried for weeks to get thru to EDD PFL program with no luck. I gave this a try thinking it may be a scam. OMG! It worked and They got thru within an hour and my claim is going to finally get paid!! I upgraded to the $60 call. Best $60 spent!
Ask the community...
- DO post questions about your issues.
- DO answer questions and support each other.
- DO post tips & tricks to help folks.
- DO NOT post call problems here - there is a support tab at the top for that :)
Join the conversation
Join the conversation
Dylan Evans
I'm also going through this exact same Parent PLUS loan situation right now! My mom applied about 2 weeks ago and we've been anxiously waiting with no updates. This entire thread has been such a lifesaver - I honestly thought we were the only ones dealing with these delays and communication issues. Reading through everyone's experiences has been incredibly reassuring. I had no idea that system glitches were so common or that there were so many different places to check for status updates. The tips about checking FSA accounts, spam folders, calling at 8 AM, and asking about "pending financial aid" holds are going to be game-changers for us. As a first-time college student whose family is completely new to this process, it's really comforting to know that schools have systems in place to help during these waiting periods and that these delays don't necessarily mean something went wrong. Thank you to everyone who took the time to share their real experiences and practical advice - you've turned what felt like a crisis into a manageable situation with clear next steps! I'm definitely going to work through all these suggestions with my mom tomorrow morning. Fingers crossed we can get some answers soon!
Welcome to the Parent PLUS loan waiting club! I'm also completely new to this process and found this thread just in time - my parents applied about 10 days ago and I was starting to panic thinking we were behind schedule somehow. Reading through everyone's experiences has been such a huge relief to know that these delays are totally normal, especially during peak season. The practical advice here is incredible - I never would have known about checking spam folders or calling the FSA technical hotline. What really stands out to me is how supportive this community is for newcomers like us who are navigating college financing for the first time. I'm definitely going to have my parents check their FSA account first thing tomorrow and try some of the calling strategies people mentioned. It's so reassuring to know that schools have processes to help students during these waiting periods. Thank you for adding your experience to this thread - it helps knowing others are in the same boat right now!
I'm also brand new to the Parent PLUS loan process and this thread has been such a godsend! My mom submitted our application about 2.5 weeks ago and we've been in complete radio silence since then. As a first-generation college student, my family had no idea what to expect with timing or where to even check for updates. Reading through everyone's experiences here has been incredibly reassuring - I genuinely thought we had done something wrong or missed a crucial step. The variety of places to check (FSA account, spam folders, school portals, financial aid checklists) that everyone mentioned is both overwhelming and super helpful. I had no clue about the technical issues hotline at 1-800-433-3243 or that system glitches were this common! What gives me the most hope is seeing how many families have successfully navigated these exact same delays. The advice about calling right at 8 AM and asking about "pending financial aid" holds is going straight to my action plan for tomorrow morning. Thank you everyone for being so generous with sharing your real experiences and practical tips. As someone whose family is completely new to college financing, you've turned what felt like an impossible situation into something manageable with clear next steps!
Join the conversation
This thread has been absolutely amazing to read through as someone who's just starting to learn about college financial aid! The collective knowledge shared here is incredible - from the specific terminology to use when talking to financial aid offices to the strategic timing of conversations and practical tips like setting up direct deposit early. What really stands out to me is how much of a difference the right approach makes. The evolution from Eva's initial frustrating "we'll see" response to all the concrete strategies outlined here shows just how important it is to know the right questions to ask and the proper terminology to use. I'm particularly grateful for insights like asking for "outside scholarship displacement policy" and "COA adjustment process" documents in writing, speaking specifically with financial aid counselors rather than general staff, and framing conversations around responsible budgeting rather than general curiosity. These are exactly the kinds of actionable details that can transform a frustrating experience into a productive one. As someone who will likely be navigating this process in the coming years, I'm bookmarking this entire conversation. The real-world experiences shared here - both the successes and the challenges - provide such valuable preparation for advocating effectively for our students' scholarship achievements. Thank you to everyone who took the time to share their knowledge and help other families navigate this complex system!
This thread has been such an incredible learning experience! As someone completely new to the college financial aid world, I'm amazed by how much strategic knowledge is involved in getting clear answers about excess scholarship funds. Reading through everyone's experiences has been like getting a crash course in financial aid advocacy. What strikes me most is how the right terminology and approach can completely change the quality of responses from financial aid offices. Learning about concepts like "outside scholarship displacement policy," "COA adjustment process," and "packaging philosophy" gives families the tools to have much more productive conversations than just asking general questions about "extra money." The practical insights shared here - from timing conversations to avoid the summer rush, to getting everything documented in writing, to checking individual scholarship terms directly with organizations - are exactly the kind of real-world advice that makes all the difference but isn't covered anywhere in official materials. @Eva St. Cyr - with all the strategies and specific questions outlined throughout this discussion, you re now'so well-prepared to get the clear answers your daughter deserves. Her scholarship achievements are impressive, and you re being'such a great advocate for making sure she benefits from all that hard work!
This thread has been absolutely incredible to follow as someone just starting to navigate the college financial aid process! The wealth of practical knowledge and real-world experiences shared here is exactly what families need when dealing with excess scholarship situations. What I find most valuable is how everyone has broken down not just what to ask, but HOW to ask it effectively. The specific terminology like "outside scholarship displacement policy" and "COA adjustment process," the timing strategies to avoid the summer rush, and the approach of framing conversations around budgeting needs rather than general curiosity are game-changing insights. I'm particularly impressed by the insider perspective from @Mateo Martinez about "packaging philosophy" and requesting revised award letters before funds are processed. These are the kinds of strategic considerations that could save families thousands of dollars and weeks of stress. @Eva St. Cyr - your daughter is so fortunate to have such a dedicated advocate! With all the specific strategies and questions outlined throughout this discussion, you're now perfectly equipped to get the clear, concrete answers you deserve. Her scholarship achievements are impressive, and she should absolutely benefit from all that hard work rather than getting vague "we'll see" responses. This entire conversation should be required reading for any family navigating college financial aid. Thank you to everyone who shared their experiences and expertise - you're helping so many families advocate more effectively for their students!
This thread has been absolutely eye-opening for me as someone who's completely new to the college financial aid world! Reading through everyone's experiences and seeing how much strategy is involved in getting clear answers about excess scholarships has been incredibly educational. What really stands out is how the right terminology and approach can completely transform conversations with financial aid offices. Learning about phrases like "outside scholarship displacement policy," "COA adjustment process," and "packaging philosophy" gives families the tools to have productive discussions instead of getting stuck with vague responses. The practical tips shared here - timing conversations strategically, getting everything in writing, setting up direct deposit early, and even checking with scholarship organizations directly - are exactly the kind of real-world insights that can prevent so much frustration and confusion. @Eva St. Cyr - you ve sparked'such an important discussion that s going'to help countless families! With all the specific strategies and questions everyone has outlined, you re now'perfectly prepared to advocate effectively for your daughter. She clearly worked incredibly hard for those scholarships and deserves to benefit from that achievement. Best of luck with your follow-up conversations with the financial aid office!
Join the conversation
Taylor To
This thread has been absolutely incredible to read! As someone who's 18 and just starting my FAFSA journey, I was completely confused about asset reporting rules. I have a small Roth IRA from my part-time job at Target, and I was 100% planning to include it as an investment until I stumbled across this discussion. The clarity everyone has provided here is amazing - especially the explanation that retirement accounts are considered "unavailable" for current educational expenses due to withdrawal restrictions and penalties. That logic makes perfect sense now! Having actual financial aid professionals jump in to confirm the community advice gives me total confidence in excluding my Roth IRA from my FAFSA. What's really blown my mind is all the strategic insights about timing your FAFSA filing around education payments and thinking strategically about asset allocation between regular savings vs retirement accounts. I had no clue there was this much strategy involved in optimizing for financial aid while building good long-term financial habits. Nathan, thank you so much for asking this question - you've literally saved me and probably hundreds of other students from making a costly mistake! The collective wisdom in this thread is better than any official guide I've found. This community is absolutely amazing for helping navigate these complex rules that honestly seem designed to confuse people. I'm definitely bookmarking this as my go-to FAFSA reference!
Hi Taylor! I'm so glad this thread found you before you made the same mistake I almost made! It's amazing how many of us young people are in identical situations with our Roth IRAs from part-time retail and campus jobs. When I first posted my question, I was honestly just stressed about getting my FAFSA right, but this has turned into such an incredible learning experience for all of us. You're absolutely right about the strategic aspects being mind-blowing - I had no idea there were so many ways to optimize your financial aid filing while still building good financial habits! The timing advice about coordinating education expenses with FAFSA submission dates is something I'm definitely planning to use for my renewal next year. What's really impressed me throughout this whole discussion is how generous everyone has been with sharing their personal experiences, mistakes, and professional knowledge. The fact that actual financial aid administrators took time to validate what community members were saying gives me so much confidence in all the advice we've received. This community has truly transformed what felt like an overwhelming bureaucratic process into something much more manageable. I feel like we've all gotten a comprehensive education in FAFSA strategy that most students never access. Thanks for the kind words about my question - I'm just thrilled it ended up helping so many people navigate this confusing process! Good luck with your first FAFSA - you're going to do great!
Jenna Sloan
This thread has been absolutely life-saving! I'm 18 and just about to submit my first FAFSA, and I was literally in the exact same situation as Nathan - I have a small Roth IRA from my summer lifeguard job and was completely torn about whether to include it or not. The FAFSA wording around "investments" is so confusing! Reading through all these responses has given me such clarity. The explanation that retirement accounts are considered "unavailable" for current education expenses really helps me understand why they're excluded, even though they're technically investment vehicles. Having multiple financial aid professionals confirm this advice throughout the thread gives me complete confidence in my decision to exclude my Roth IRA. What's really opened my eyes is all the strategic thinking people have shared about timing FAFSA submissions around education payments and being intentional about asset allocation. I had no idea there was this much strategy involved in optimizing financial aid eligibility! The tip about spending regular savings on qualified education expenses before filing is something I'm definitely going to consider. Nathan, thank you so much for asking this question - you've helped so many of us avoid what could have been a really costly mistake! This community is incredible for breaking down these complex rules in such a clear, practical way. I feel so much more confident about completing my FAFSA correctly now. Bookmarking this thread for sure!
Vince Eh
•Hi Jenna! I'm so relieved this thread helped you too - it's incredible how many of us were in the exact same boat with our Roth IRAs from summer jobs! When I first posted my question, I was honestly just panicking about whether I was going to accidentally mess up my financial aid, but this discussion has been such an amazing education for all of us. You're absolutely right about the FAFSA wording being confusing - "investments" really does seem like it should include ALL investment accounts until you understand the specific logic behind retirement account exclusions. The "unavailable funds" explanation really made it click for me too. I'm so impressed by all the strategic insights everyone has shared throughout this thread. The timing advice about coordinating education expenses with FAFSA filing dates is definitely something I'm going to remember for next year's renewal. It's wild how much strategy is involved in optimizing aid eligibility while still maintaining good financial habits! Thanks for the kind words about my question - I'm just thrilled it ended up helping so many students avoid the same confusion I was dealing with. This community has been absolutely incredible at breaking down these complex rules into clear, actionable guidance. Good luck with your first FAFSA submission! Sounds like you're already thinking strategically about the whole process, which is going to serve you really well.
Join the conversation
Hey Sofia! As a newcomer to this community, I just wanted to add my voice to everyone else's reassuring responses. I'm currently a college junior who went through this exact same situation two years ago - I submitted my FAFSA in mid-February but had to make a correction in early May because I discovered my parents had miscategorized some business assets. I was absolutely panicking that the May correction would somehow invalidate my February priority status at my schools. But after speaking with multiple financial aid offices and doing a ton of research, I learned that your original submission date is completely locked in and protected by the system. The correction process is entirely separate and is actually encouraged when students find errors! Your March 15 date will definitely be what counts for your April 1 priority deadline. Plus, that $18k asset reduction is going to work in your favor for aid calculations - you essentially corrected an error that will improve your financial aid eligibility. I know the FAFSA process can be incredibly stressful, but you handled this situation perfectly by submitting early and then fixing the mistake when you caught it. Take a deep breath - you're going to be just fine! 😊
Hi Christian! Thank you so much for adding your experience to this thread - it's really reassuring to hear from someone who's been through this a couple years ago and can confirm the same process still works! Your February to May timeline actually makes me feel even better since that's an even longer gap than my March to April situation. I love how you described it as "correcting an error that will improve your financial aid eligibility" - that's such a positive way to think about it! Reading all these experiences from different years really shows that this is just a normal part of the FAFSA process that lots of students go through. I'm definitely breathing much easier now thanks to everyone's stories and advice. This community has been absolutely amazing for helping calm my nerves about what turned out to be a complete non-issue! 😊
Hi Sofia! I'm new to this community but wanted to share my experience since I went through almost the identical situation last year! I submitted my FAFSA in mid-March but had to make a correction in late April when I realized I'd accidentally double-reported some of my parents' investment accounts. I was absolutely terrified that the April correction would somehow bump me out of priority consideration at my top schools. But after calling both Federal Student Aid and my school's financial aid office, they confirmed exactly what everyone here is saying - your original March 15 submission date is what counts for all priority deadlines, period! The correction system is completely separate and doesn't affect your submission timeline at all. In fact, the financial aid counselor told me that catching and fixing errors is exactly what students should do, and the system is designed to encourage corrections without penalizing students. Your $18k asset reduction should actually improve your aid eligibility, so you basically fixed a mistake that's going to help you get more aid! I know the stress is real (I barely slept for a week worrying about this!), but you can relax knowing you handled everything perfectly. You're going to be just fine! 😊
Connor Rupert
Just wanted to follow up - were you able to resolve this? I had a thought that might help. If you go into your student's account (not the parent's FSA ID), then navigate to the application, sometimes more options appear that aren't visible from the parent login. Also, try using a different browser completely - I've found Chrome works better than Safari for the FAFSA site.
0 coins
Sophie Footman
•We actually tried using Claimyr like someone suggested above, and it worked great! Got through to an agent after about 45 minutes (instead of the 3+ hours we were expecting). The agent confirmed it was a glitch and manually added the second contributor while we were on the phone. Our application is finally complete! Now just waiting for the SAI calculation. Thanks everyone for your help and suggestions!
0 coins
Emma Wilson
That's great news that you got it resolved! For anyone else reading this thread who might be dealing with similar FAFSA contributor issues, here are a few additional tips that have helped other families: 1. Try accessing the FAFSA from different devices - sometimes mobile vs desktop shows different options 2. If you're still stuck, document everything with screenshots before calling FSA support - it helps them understand the issue faster 3. Consider calling early in the morning (around 8 AM EST) when wait times tend to be shorter 4. Have all your tax documents and FSA IDs ready before calling so they can fix everything in one session The 2025-2026 FAFSA definitely has more bugs than previous years, but most issues can be resolved with persistence. Don't give up - your daughter's financial aid is worth the hassle!
0 coins
Sofia Martinez
•Thank you for these additional tips! I'm actually dealing with a similar issue right now with my son's FAFSA application. The mobile vs desktop suggestion is really helpful - I hadn't thought to try that. It's reassuring to know that these problems are being resolved even though the process is frustrating. I'll definitely try calling early in the morning before the lines get too busy. Has anyone had success with the live chat feature, or is calling still the best option?
0 coins