I'm having this exact same signature loop issue right now! Been stuck for the past day and getting really stressed about my deadline. Reading through all these solutions is giving me hope though. I'm going to try the combination approach - private browsing mode with ad blockers disabled at around 5-6am tomorrow morning. If that doesn't work, I'll try the mobile app and the full logout/wait/login method that Maggie mentioned. It's honestly ridiculous that we need to jump through all these technical hoops just to submit financial aid applications, but I'm grateful this community exists to share workarounds. The fact that Federal Student Aid acknowledged this as a widespread issue makes me feel less crazy for struggling with it. Will update if I manage to break through!

I just wanted to add another solution that worked for me when I had this signature loop issue a few weeks ago! After trying all the browser-based solutions without success, what finally broke the loop for me was switching to a completely different device. I had been trying on my laptop for days, but when I borrowed my roommate's computer and logged into my FSA ID there, the signature page worked perfectly on the first try. I think sometimes the issue might be related to cached data or settings that are tied to your specific device/browser combination that even private browsing doesn't fully clear. So if you have access to another computer, tablet, or even a different phone, it might be worth giving that a shot! It's frustrating that we have to troubleshoot like this, but at least there are multiple paths to success. Hope this helps someone who's still stuck in the loop!

I went through something similar last year and what ultimately worked was contacting my state's Department of Education office. They have direct contacts at Federal Student Aid and can escalate cases that have been stuck for extended periods. Many states have a student aid ombudsman specifically for these situations. You can usually find your state's contact info by searching "[your state] student aid ombudsman" or calling your state's higher education department. They were able to get my FSA ID issue resolved within 48 hours after I'd been stuck for over a month. Worth trying if the other suggestions don't work!

I work as a financial aid counselor and see this exact issue constantly. Here's what I tell parents in your situation: First, try calling FSA at 8 AM Eastern and immediately say "technical support" when the automated system asks what you need help with - this often gets you to someone who can actually fix account issues rather than just general customer service. Second, ask your daughter's school about their "Parent PLUS Loan Master Promissory Note" alternative - some schools can process aid packages with just the student signature if the parent completes this separate form. Third, if you're still stuck, file a complaint with the Federal Student Aid Ombudsman at https://studentaid.gov/feedback-ombudsman/disputes/prepare - they have more authority to resolve stuck accounts. Don't give up - I've seen cases like yours resolved even after months of being stuck!

One more thing to consider - if you truly cannot get the other parent to cooperate, some schools will allow your daughter to only list information from your household on the FAFSA, but they'll then require the CSS Profile (a different financial aid form) which will collect more detailed information. Not all schools accept this approach though. The CSS Profile costs money to submit to each school, but they do offer fee waivers for eligible students. It's more detailed than the FAFSA but might be an option if you absolutely cannot get your ex to participate.

I'm going through this exact same situation right now! My ex hasn't been involved in our son's life for over 3 years but FAFSA still wants his information. What I learned from calling the financial aid office at my son's college is that you can submit a "special circumstances" form explaining the situation. They told me to gather any documentation I have showing lack of support - like child support records, court documents, even screenshots of unanswered messages trying to contact him. Each school handles these cases individually, so definitely reach out to the financial aid offices directly. It's frustrating but there are options if your ex won't cooperate!

Just wanted to update everyone - I called the financial aid office this morning and you were all right! They have a specific form called "Scholarship Distribution Request" that lets us specify exactly how we want the aid applied. They said as long as we submit it before the term payment deadline (Aug 10), they'll apply all aid to tuition first. The woman I spoke with said this is a very common request for tax purposes and they're happy to accommodate it. Thank you all so much for the helpful advice!

This is such a relief to hear that you got it sorted out! I'm dealing with a similar situation for my son's upcoming freshman year and was stressing about the tax implications. It's reassuring to know that schools are generally willing to work with families on this. I'm going to call his financial aid office tomorrow to ask about their process. Did they mention if there's a specific deadline each semester to submit the form, or is it just before the payment deadline? Also wondering if this is something we'll need to do every semester or if it's a one-time preference they'll keep on file.

wait i thought signatures weren't required anymore with the new FAFSA?? my college advisor told us the new form just uses the FSA ID login as the signature?? now im confused...

One thing that helped me avoid signature issues this year - I set up email notifications on my phone specifically for anything from "noreply@studentaid.gov" so I wouldn't miss or accidentally delete confirmation emails. Also, after I submitted, I bookmarked the FAFSA status page and checked it every few days until it showed "Processed Successfully" - took about a week. The new system really is much clearer about who needs to sign what. There's even a progress bar that shows when all required signatures are collected. Just don't rush through that final signature page like I almost did!