Update: I got through! For anyone having the same issue, clearing cache/cookies AND using incognito mode in Chrome finally worked. The tax information section stopped freezing and I could complete my application. Thanks everyone for the help!

As someone who just went through this nightmare myself, I can confirm the agent was completely wrong about device compatibility! I had the exact same freezing issue at the tax section on my MacBook Air, and it had nothing to do with Apple vs PC. After reading through all these responses, I tried the incognito mode trick in Safari and it worked perfectly. The real problem seems to be browser cache conflicts with their new system. Don't waste time borrowing someone else's computer - just try a different browser or incognito mode first. Also, if you're still stuck, manually entering the tax info instead of using the IRS retrieval tool is a solid backup plan. Good luck with your deadline!

One more important point: make sure your son understands that his initial aid offers might be lower than they should be because of this error. He shouldn't make his college decision based on those initial packages if the 401k issue hasn't been addressed. Also, keep detailed records of every conversation - who you spoke with, date/time, what was discussed, and any case numbers or follow-up instructions. This paper trail will be crucial if you need to escalate the issue later.

I went through something similar with my daughter's FAFSA two years ago! The key thing to remember is that this mistake actually happens more often than you'd think - financial aid officers have seen it before and know how to handle it. Here's what worked for us: I created a simple one-page document explaining the error, included a screenshot of the 401k account statement showing it's a qualified retirement plan, and emailed it to the financial aid offices at her top 3 schools before she even got her acceptance letters. Most of them responded within a few days acknowledging the issue and confirming they'd note it in her file. When the aid packages came out, two schools had already adjusted them correctly, and the third fixed it within a week after I called. Don't let this stress consume you - it's fixable, and your son's aid chances aren't ruined!

Update: I followed the link and completed my section yesterday. It was actually pretty straightforward once I got past my initial fear! The system walked me through exactly what information they needed from me. My daughter confirmed that her application now shows as complete and submitted. Thank you everyone for your help and reassurance!

So glad you got it sorted out! Your post actually helped me too - I'm dealing with the exact same situation with my son's FAFSA right now. I was also panicking about clicking that contributor invitation email. Reading through all these responses gave me the confidence to go ahead and complete my section. It's crazy how much they've changed the process, but at least we're all figuring it out together!

my cousins boyfriend had the same problem last month i think! his dad never went to college either but somehow had an account. turns out his dad applied for some continuing education thing years ago and forgot all about it. weird how these things happen!

So glad to hear you got through to FSA and figured out what was happening! This is exactly why I always tell people to keep trying - these database mix-ups are more common than you'd think with the new system. The fact that someone else's incorrect SSN entry created this whole mess is frustrating but at least now you know it wasn't anything your dad did wrong. Hopefully the 3-5 day timeline holds and you can get your FAFSA submitted soon. Thanks for updating us - this thread will definitely help other students who run into the same issue!

I'm new to this community and going through my first FAFSA experience with my spouse. This thread has been incredibly helpful! We're married filing jointly and I initially thought only one of us would need to be involved based on some of the official documentation, but it's clear from everyone's experiences that we both need FSA IDs and must complete contributor sections separately. The confusion around the official guidance versus the actual system requirements seems to be causing a lot of stress for families. For other newcomers like me - it sounds like the key takeaways are: 1) Both spouses need their own FSA IDs with separate email addresses, 2) Plan for 1-3 days for identity verification, 3) Don't try to create accounts for each other, and 4) Start early to avoid missing school priority deadlines. Thanks to everyone for sharing your experiences - it's making this learning curve much more manageable!

I'm completely new to FAFSA and this whole thread has been a lifesaver! My husband and I are just starting this process for our twins who will be college freshmen next year. Like many others here, we assumed that filing taxes jointly meant we could handle the FAFSA as one unit, but clearly that's not the case anymore. Reading through everyone's experiences, it seems like the Department of Education really didn't do a great job communicating these changes - there's so much conflicting information out there! I'm definitely going to have my husband create his FSA ID this weekend so we can get ahead of the verification timeline. Quick question for those who've been through this - do both contributors need to be available at the same time to complete their sections, or can we do them separately once the invitations are sent? Thanks to this community for making such a confusing process feel more manageable!