UPDATE: For anyone else having this issue, I got through by using a private browsing window on Firefox (Chrome still didn't work for me). The site is definitely slower than usual but I was able to check my aid status. Thanks again for all the helpful suggestions!

As someone who's been through this process multiple times (helping my kids with FAFSA), I can confirm that these types of technical issues unfortunately happen every year around this time, but they usually resolve within a few days. The SAVE Plan injunction is definitely adding extra complications this year though. For future reference, I've found that the site tends to be most stable very early in the morning (like 5-6 AM) or late at night after 11 PM. Also, if you're still having trouble, don't forget that many public libraries have computers you can try if your home setup isn't working - sometimes a completely different network/computer combination does the trick. Hang in there everyone!

One more important thing - when you complete your section, you might see a message saying the application is "pending student validation" even after you submit your part. That's normal! The whole application will automatically progress once all validations complete. Just make sure you actually finish and submit your section completely.

Just wanted to add my experience - I was in the exact same situation two weeks ago and went ahead with my parent section while my daughter's validation was still pending. Everything worked perfectly! The key thing is to make sure you complete ALL required fields in your section and hit submit. Don't just save as draft. Once both validations were done (hers took 3 days, mine was instant), the full application automatically processed and we got our SAI within 24 hours. The new system is actually pretty efficient once you understand how it works!

Just wanted to share my experience as someone who went through this last year. I'm also separated (for 2 years now), and I did NOT report my ex's 529 plan on my daughter's FAFSA. We got selected for verification, but once I provided documentation showing we lived at separate addresses and that the 529 was solely in his name, they approved everything without issues. The financial aid office at my daughter's college was actually really helpful in navigating this.

I went through something similar when my ex and I separated in 2022. One thing that helped me was calling the Federal Student Aid Information Center directly at 1-800-433-3243 to ask about my specific situation before submitting the FAFSA. They were able to clarify that since I met the separation criteria (living apart for 6+ months with documentation) and was the custodial parent, I should only report MY assets, not his 529. It gave me peace of mind knowing I was following their official guidance. Also, make sure you have copies of everything - lease agreements, utility bills, custody documentation - because if you do get selected for verification, having it all organized makes the process much smoother.

UPDATE: I tried the incognito browser suggestion and the FSA Ombudsman number, but still no luck. BUT I finally got through using that Claimyr service someone mentioned! The wait would have been 3+ hours but they got me connected to an FSA rep in about 25 minutes. The agent verified my identity using my tax records and was able to update my name in the system! He said I should be able to create a new FSA ID with my married name in 24-48 hours. THANK YOU everyone for your help - I was seriously about to have a breakdown over this!

So glad you got this resolved! I've been following this thread because I'm dealing with a similar situation with my own name change after getting married last year. The FAFSA system really needs a major overhaul - it shouldn't be this difficult for parents to help their kids access financial aid. Your experience with Claimyr sounds like it was a lifesaver. I might have to try that service myself if I can't get through the regular channels. Thanks for sharing your update and congrats on getting it sorted before the deadline!

Congratulations on getting through and getting that clarity! That's a really solid Pell Grant amount. Just wanted to add that if you're looking for help with the remaining costs, definitely check if your daughter's school has any institutional need-based grants or scholarships she might still be eligible for. Also, some schools have payment plans that can help spread out the remaining balance over the semester instead of paying it all upfront. The financial aid office should be able to tell you about these options too. You're doing great advocating for your daughter!

So glad to see this story had a happy ending! Your experience is exactly why I always tell parents to keep pushing for that detailed breakdown - schools really need to be more transparent about what they're including in their "aid" packages. That $7,395 Pell Grant is fantastic for your daughter's SAI! For anyone else reading this thread who might be in a similar situation, don't give up if the first financial aid person you talk to doesn't give you clear answers. Sometimes you need to ask to speak with a supervisor or counselor who can pull up the detailed federal aid information. The FAFSA automatically considers you for all federal aid programs you're eligible for, including Pell Grants, so there's never a separate application needed. Keep advocating for yourselves, parents!