Adding to the browser discussion - I had similar issues with Safari not properly registering the electronic signature. Chrome definitely seems to work more reliably for the FAFSA system. One thing I'd also recommend is clearing your browser cache before starting the contributor sections, especially if you've had previous login attempts that didn't complete successfully. I've seen cases where cached data from incomplete sessions can cause weird errors. Also, make sure you're not using private/incognito mode as that can sometimes interfere with the FSA ID authentication process. The FAFSA system seems pretty finicky about browser settings this year!

This entire thread has been incredibly helpful! I'm dealing with the exact same "Action Still Needed" message for my daughter's FAFSA and was getting so frustrated. Reading through everyone's experiences, it sounds like the electronic signature step is definitely the most problematic part of the new system. I'm going to have my husband log back in tonight using Chrome (we were using Safari), clear the cache first, and carefully go through each section looking for any red flags or missing fields. The tip about making sure to actually click the final submit button AFTER checking the signature box seems crucial - I bet that's exactly what happened with us too. It's reassuring to know this is such a common issue and not just us being incompetent! Thanks everyone for sharing your solutions and experiences.

Just wanted to follow up - were you able to make any progress? Did you try contacting FSA directly using the service I mentioned or visiting your local SSA office? Sometimes bringing your marriage certificate and explaining the situation in person can expedite the process.

That's such great news that you finally got through to someone at FSA! Having a note on your account should definitely help smooth things over when you submit. And going to SSA in person is smart - they're usually more helpful face-to-face than over the phone. Make sure to bring copies of everything (marriage certificate, ID, any correspondence about the name change) just in case. Fingers crossed the SSA visit goes well and you can get this all sorted out soon!

man i wish i knew this last year i spent weeks trying to get my dads tax info and he was so difficult about it for nothing apparently 🙄

Just wanted to chime in as someone who works in financial aid at a state university - you're getting great advice here! The key thing to remember is that FAFSA follows a very specific definition of "parent" that's based on who you lived with, not biological relationships or financial support. Since your parents were never married and you live with your mom, she's your only "parent" for FAFSA purposes. One small tip: when you get to the parent demographics section, make sure to select "Single" as your mom's marital status rather than leaving it blank. This helps the system understand your family structure. And don't worry about verification - single-parent households with income around $38K are actually pretty common and shouldn't raise any red flags. Good luck with your application!

This entire thread should honestly be pinned or turned into an official troubleshooting guide! I'm a parent who will be going through this process with my youngest child next year, and after reading through everyone's experiences, I feel so much better prepared for potential issues. What strikes me most is how many different technical factors can cause the same error message - from name formatting mismatches to browser extensions to network connectivity issues. It really highlights how poorly designed the error messaging is in the FAFSA system. Instead of a generic "Unable to Complete This Action" message, they should provide specific guidance about what to check. I'm definitely going to create a checklist based on all the solutions shared here: verify exact name matching, try during off-peak hours (2-7 AM), disable browser extensions, clear saved passwords, enable JavaScript for the site, try different browsers (avoid Safari on Mac), use home network instead of institutional WiFi, and document everything with screenshots. Thank you to everyone who took the time to share their solutions, especially the financial aid professionals and school counselors who provided insider knowledge. This community support is invaluable when the official systems are so buggy and frustrating!

This thread has been a lifesaver! I'm a junior in high school and will be starting my FAFSA next year. Reading through everyone's troubleshooting experiences has given me such valuable insight into what to expect and how to prepare. I had no idea that something as simple as a middle initial vs. full middle name could cause system errors, or that browser extensions could interfere with the signature process. I'm definitely going to follow the advice about starting the application 2-3 weeks before any deadlines and keeping detailed documentation of any issues. It's honestly shocking that families have to become technical experts just to apply for financial aid, but I'm so grateful this community has shared all these real-world solutions. One question for the financial aid professionals who contributed here - are there any signs that the Department of Education is working to fix these widespread technical issues, or should we expect the same problems for the 2025-2026 FAFSA cycle?

To summarize the correct information for your situation: 1. Only your custodial parent (the one you live with more than 50% of the time) needs to complete the FAFSA 2. Who claims you on taxes does NOT determine which parent completes the FAFSA 3. Child support is considered the custodial parent's income, not direct support from the non-custodial parent 4. If your custodial parent is remarried, the stepparent's information must be included 5. Some private colleges require the CSS Profile which may request non-custodial parent information Based on what you've shared, your mother should complete the FAFSA as your custodial parent. Your father's tax claiming status is irrelevant for FAFSA purposes.

Just wanted to add something that might help - make sure you and your mom complete the FAFSA together so she can answer all the parent financial questions accurately. I made the mistake of trying to fill it out myself first and had to go back and correct a bunch of stuff because I didn't know her exact income details. Also, have her tax returns handy because the FAFSA will ask for specific line items from her 1040. Good luck with everything!