Update: I finally got through to someone at Federal Student Aid using that Claimyr service someone suggested. It actually worked! The agent found my son's paper application stuck in a verification queue even though we weren't selected for verification. They're expediting it now and said it should be processed within 5-7 business days. The financial aid office also agreed to put a hold on late fees after I showed them the case number. Thank you all for your advice - this community has been so helpful!

This is exactly why I tell everyone to submit their FAFSA online if at all possible, even if it takes multiple tries. Paper applications are basically going into a black hole this year. For anyone reading this who hasn't submitted yet - keep trying the online version during off-peak hours (early morning or late evening) and use a different browser if one isn't working. The paper backup should really be a last resort given these processing delays. Glad to hear you're finally making progress though, Dmitry!

Reading through this thread is giving me anxiety! I submitted my FAFSA online last week after trying since January (kept getting an error about my parents' marital status verification). Now I'm terrified it's going to take months to process too! Question for those who got through to an actual person: did they give any indication of how long online FAFSA applications are taking to process compared to paper ones? I'm also facing a mid-February scholarship deadline and getting really worried.

Wow, this entire thread is both terrifying and reassuring at the same time! I'm a new member here and currently dealing with my own FAFSA nightmare. Submitted online back in early January but my application got stuck in "verification required" status because of some discrepancy with my parents' tax information that we can't figure out. Reading about the paper FAFSA delays makes me glad I didn't go that route, but also makes me realize how broken the whole system is this year. @Omar Hassan your persistence really paid off - I'm definitely going to try the Claimyr service you mentioned since calling FSA directly has been completely useless for me too. @Zara Ahmed thank you for sharing the insider perspective about bringing documentation directly to the financial aid office! I hadn't thought about doing an in-person visit but that seems way more effective than endless phone calls. Has anyone else here dealt with verification issues specifically? My school's financial aid office told me to "work it out with Federal Student Aid first" but FSA keeps telling me to contact my school. It's like being stuck in bureaucratic ping-pong!

I'm so sorry for your loss, and I'm glad you were able to get the help you needed! Your update will be really valuable for other families who might face similar situations. One thing I'd add based on my experience working in financial aid - make sure to keep copies of all documentation (death certificate, tax returns, any correspondence with FSA) in a dedicated folder. Some schools might request verification materials months later, and having everything organized will save you stress down the road. Also, don't hesitate to reach out to each college's financial aid office directly if you have questions about their specific requirements. Many are very understanding about these circumstances and can provide additional guidance. Best of luck to you and your son!

I'm so sorry for your loss and want to echo what others have said about how helpful this thread will be for other families. As a newcomer who has been following financial aid discussions, I wanted to add one more resource that might be valuable: the National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators (NASFAA) has a "Ask the Aid Administrator" feature on their website where families can submit questions about complex situations like yours. While you've already gotten great help through Claimyr and direct FSA contact, NASFAA can sometimes provide additional guidance on how different schools might interpret special circumstances. Also, I'd suggest keeping a simple log of all the financial aid conversations you have with different schools - date, person's name, and key points discussed. This has helped friends of mine ensure consistency when talking to multiple financial aid offices. Your perseverance through such a difficult time is truly admirable, and I'm confident your son will benefit from all the advocacy you're doing on his behalf.

They said they're handling deadline extensions on a case-by-case basis, but are being pretty flexible given the delays. I'd recommend emailing admissions to request an extension if you need one!

As someone who just went through this whole process with my son, I wanted to add a few things that might help! First, definitely fix that FAFSA retirement account error - $180k will make a huge difference in your SAI and potential aid eligibility. Yes, there's a risk of verification, but the potential savings are worth it. For the Texas Tech delays, we found that following up every few days (politely!) helped keep things moving. Also make sure you've submitted your CSS Profile if you're applying for need-based aid - some students forget about that requirement. One tip that saved us: while waiting for the official package, you can get a rough estimate by using Texas Tech's net price calculator with your corrected financial info. It won't be exact but gives you a ballpark to work with for planning purposes. Hang in there - I know the waiting is stressful, but it sounds like packages are finally starting to move!

One additional option to consider: If your son will be applying to selective private colleges, many of them also require the CSS Profile in addition to the FAFSA. While the CSS Profile also counts stepparent income, it allows for more nuanced financial reporting and some schools using it offer more flexibility in how they evaluate blended family situations. The CSS Profile costs money to submit (unlike the FAFSA), but fee waivers are available based on family income. If any schools on your son's list require the CSS Profile, this might actually work in your favor since you can explain the family dynamic in more detail than the FAFSA allows.

Thank you all SO much for your helpful responses! I'm disappointed that we do have to include my husband's income, but at least now I understand the rules correctly and won't make mistakes on the application. I really appreciate the tips about reaching out to financial aid offices for professional judgment reviews and looking into scholarships specifically for students who have lost a parent. I had no idea those existed! One last question - if my husband and I have a joint savings account that we both contribute to, is that considered a parent asset that needs to be reported? Or only my portion of it?