UPDATE: I finally got it working! For anyone else having this issue, here's what worked for me: 1. Waited until 11pm when fewer people were on the site 2. Started a completely fresh application (didn't use any saved info) 3. Used Firefox in private browsing mode with no extensions The system let me complete everything without freezing. Now I'm just worried my SAI calculation will be affected because I couldn't transfer my tax information directly from the IRS...hopefully not!

I'm having the exact same issue! Been trying since this morning and it's so frustrating. I'm glad to see Sarah got it working with the late-night/fresh application approach. I'm going to try that tonight. Has anyone else noticed if certain sections of the FAFSA are more prone to freezing than others? I'm wondering if there's a pattern to when these technical issues occur during the application process.

I'm dealing with this same issue right now - created my account 5 days ago and still no verification email. It's honestly really frustrating because I was hoping to get my FAFSA submitted early this year to avoid any last-minute stress. Reading through everyone's experiences here is both reassuring and concerning at the same time. It sounds like the new system changes have really created a bottleneck, but at least it seems like most people eventually get through. I'm going to try to be patient for a few more days before reaching out to FSA directly. Thanks for posting this question - it's helpful to know I'm not the only one experiencing these delays!

I'm currently on day 12 waiting for my verification email and honestly starting to panic a bit! Reading through everyone's experiences here is both comforting and terrifying - it sounds like most people get theirs within 7-10 days but some are waiting weeks. I've triple-checked my spam folder, confirmed my email address is correct, and I'm definitely not making a second account after reading about the fraud review nightmare. Has anyone who waited this long eventually gotten through, or should I start trying to contact FSA? The phone system sounds like a disaster but I'm worried something went wrong with my application.

@OP we didn't need to provide any medical docs to FAFSA directly - just to the school for their records. The school already had everything on file from when he took the leave, so we just had to remind the fin aid office about his situation when we asked about 5th year scholarships.

Just wanted to add another perspective as someone who's navigating this right now! My daughter is also in her 5th year after taking a medical leave, and we've found that staying in close communication with the financial aid office has been key. One thing I wish I'd known earlier - some schools have "return from leave" checklists that include financial aid steps, so definitely ask if your daughter's school has one of those. It helped us make sure we didn't miss any deadlines or requirements. Also, if her SAI was around 4500 before, that should put her in a good position for continued Pell Grant eligibility assuming your family's financial situation hasn't changed dramatically. The medical leave actually worked in our favor because it "paused" her progress toward the lifetime limits everyone mentioned. Hang in there - it's stressful but totally manageable with the right information!

One more thing - create a college spreadsheet NOW in 8th grade. Track potential schools with these columns: - Sticker price (tuition, room, board, fees) - Average merit award for students with your child's academic profile - Special scholarship programs they offer - Net price calculator results - Application requirements and deadlines This helps avoid senior year panic and makes it easier to compare options. You'd be surprised how many "expensive" private schools end up cheaper than state options once merit aid is applied. Oh, and have your student take the PSAT seriously in 11th grade - National Merit status can trigger big scholarships!

As someone who just went through this process with twins (both now college sophomores), I can't emphasize enough how much the landscape has changed even in the last few years. A few things I wish I'd known earlier: 1. Don't overlook regional private colleges - they often have more flexibility with merit aid than big-name schools. My daughter got a better package from a smaller liberal arts college than from our state flagship. 2. Consider the "demonstrated interest" factor. Some schools track whether you've visited, attended virtual sessions, or engaged with admissions. This can impact merit aid decisions. 3. Look into Presidential/Chancellor scholarships at target schools - these are often full or near-full rides based on academics and leadership, not financial need. 4. Start building the "whole student" profile now - colleges want well-rounded applicants for their top merit scholarships. Community service, leadership positions, and unique experiences matter as much as grades. The stress is real, but starting early like you are puts you way ahead of most families! Focus on building your daughter's academic profile while researching schools that align with both her interests and your financial strategy.

This thread is a lifesaver! I'm dealing with this exact same issue right now with my son's FAFSA. We've been trying to submit for two days and couldn't figure out why the system kept asking for a parent signature when we were already logged in. I had no idea I needed my own separate FSA ID - the FAFSA website really doesn't make this clear at all. I'm creating my account tonight so we can finally get this submitted before his school's priority deadline. Thank you everyone for sharing your experiences and solutions!

This exact same thing happened to me and my daughter last year! We spent hours trying to figure out why we couldn't submit, and it was so frustrating because nowhere in the initial setup does it clearly explain that parents need their own FSA ID. We kept thinking there was a technical glitch or that we had missed a step somewhere. One thing I'll add that helped us - when you create your FSA ID as a parent, make sure you're using your legal name exactly as it appears on your tax returns and Social Security records. I initially used a nickname and had to go back and fix it, which added another day to the process. Also, keep your FSA ID login info somewhere really secure because you'll need it every year your child is in college, not just this once. The good news is that once you get through this initial confusion, the actual parent contributor section is pretty straightforward. Most of the heavy lifting is already done in your daughter's portion of the application. You've got this!