Congratulations Rebecca! This is such great news and thank you for sharing the step-by-step process that worked. I'm currently dealing with the exact same issue (also no SSN, also stuck at signature page) and have been getting nowhere with regular FSA calls. I'm definitely going to try the Claimyr service and ask specifically for "Application Status Override" - I had never heard of that term before this thread. One question - how long did it take for your account to update after the representative cleared the verification hold? Did you try signing immediately or wait a bit? Want to make sure I don't mess anything up when I finally get through!

This thread has been incredibly helpful - I'm bookmarking it for future reference! As someone who works with students facing similar issues, I want to add a few more tips that might help others: 1. Document EVERYTHING - screenshot your FAFSA account showing where you're stuck, save confirmation emails from when you submitted docs, and keep notes from every phone call with dates/times/agent names. 2. If you're still having trouble after trying the suggestions here, consider reaching out to your state's Department of Education or your congressional representative's office. They often have direct contacts at FSA for constituent services. 3. For future applicants: Start your FAFSA process EXTRA early if you don't have an SSN. What should take a few weeks can easily turn into 2+ months with verification delays. The fact that Rebecca got this resolved gives me hope that the system can work, but wow - it shouldn't be this complicated! Thank you to everyone who shared practical solutions instead of just complaining. This is exactly the kind of community support that makes a difference.

Update: I called the financial aid office this morning. They were actually super helpful! The counselor said retirement accounts aren't counted as assets on the FAFSA, so our accidental early submission shouldn't affect anything. They confirmed the aid package should be close to what the calculator showed - about $12,500 out of pocket after the merit scholarship, state grant, and work-study option. My son will need to take about $3,500 in federal loans to cover the rest. Thank you all for calming me down! This whole FAFSA process is so stressful, especially with all the changes this year.

So glad to hear you got this resolved! Your experience is actually really helpful for other parents going through the same panic. I'm dealing with FAFSA stress myself right now and seeing your update gives me hope that the financial aid offices are more understanding than we expect. The $12,500 out-of-pocket cost sounds very manageable, especially compared to last year! Your son is lucky to have parents who care enough to double-check everything (even if it led to the early submission panic). That federal loan amount is pretty reasonable too - many students end up with much higher debt loads. Thanks for sharing the outcome - posts like yours really help the rest of us navigate this confusing process!

I successfully resolved this issue for both my kids' applications last month. The key was timing. The signature system seems to get overloaded during peak hours (evenings and weekends). I logged in at 4:30 AM on a Tuesday, and both applications processed the signatures immediately without any issues. This was after weeks of the same problem you're describing. Also, make sure you're using a stable wired internet connection rather than WiFi if possible. The signature verification step seems particularly sensitive to connection stability. The good news is that once you get past this hurdle, the processing time has been quick - both my kids received their SAI calculations within 5 business days after submission.

I'm so glad to see this thread helped you get your applications submitted! As someone who just went through this same nightmare, I wanted to add one more tip that might help future families dealing with this issue. If you're still stuck after trying all these suggestions, check if you have any browser extensions running (ad blockers, password managers, etc.). I discovered that my privacy-focused browser extension was blocking some JavaScript that the signature page needed to function properly. Once I disabled it temporarily for the FAFSA site, everything worked normally. Also, for anyone reading this later - document everything! Take screenshots of error messages and keep records of when you tried different solutions. If you end up needing to speak with FSA support, having this documentation really helps them troubleshoot faster. The system definitely has issues, but don't give up. There's almost always a workaround, even if it takes some creative problem-solving!

One more thought - since your residency documentation is in process, request a letter from the residency office stating that your application is under review. This official documentation can sometimes be used by the scholarship office to grant you a conditional award pending final residency determination. Also, given your exceptional financial need (SAI of -1500) and strong academic performance, be sure to inquire about: 1. First-generation student scholarships (if applicable) 2. Department-specific scholarships in your major 3. Emergency retention funds (many schools have these for students in financial distress) 4. Private scholarships that partner with your university but don't have residency requirements Your financial aid package should be viewed holistically, not just focused on the Land Grant Scholarship.

Hey Natalia! I went through a similar situation last year at CSU (Colorado State) with their Land Grant Scholarship. Colorado schools are actually pretty reasonable about pending residency cases compared to some other states I've heard about. A few Colorado-specific tips: 1. Most CO land grant universities will do a "conditional award" if your residency paperwork is actively being processed - you just need to provide proof it's in the system 2. With your -1500 SAI, you're basically guaranteed the scholarship once residency clears (assuming you meet the GPA requirements) 3. Colorado has a "good faith" policy where if you can show you're genuinely trying to establish residency (not just for tuition purposes), they're more flexible Also, since you're first-gen, definitely look into the Colorado Opportunity Fund and the College Opportunity Fund - these are state programs that stack with federal aid and don't have the same strict residency timelines. Call the financial aid office first thing Monday morning (they're less busy then) and ask specifically about "conditional Land Grant awards pending residency verification." Use those exact words - it shows you know the process exists. You've got this! Your financial need score basically guarantees you'll get substantial aid once the paperwork catches up.

Based on everything discussed, here's a complete action plan for you: 1. Have your stepdad apply for a Parent PLUS loan (even though you expect denial) 2. Once denied, request the additional $4,000 in unsubsidized loans you'll be eligible for 3. Submit a professional judgment appeal with documentation of job loss (termination letter, unemployment statements, current bank statements showing reduced income) 4. Ask specifically about dependency override possibilities 5. Contact FSA directly about your options (using the contact method mentioned above if you have trouble getting through) 6. Create a spreadsheet of external scholarship opportunities - many have deadlines throughout the year 7. If you still have a gap, talk to your school about payment plans or emergency assistance funds With this approach, you might be able to secure enough funding without private loans and their credit requirements. Would you like more specific advice on any of these steps?

I'm in a very similar situation - my mom lost her job last year and our family income dropped by about 60%. Here's what worked for me: First, definitely have your stepdad apply for the Parent PLUS loan so you can get that denial letter - it's counterintuitive but necessary. Second, when you do the professional judgment appeal, include EVERYTHING: termination letter, unemployment statements, current paystubs (if any), bank statements showing the reduced income, even utility shut-off notices if you have them. The more documentation you provide, the better. Also, don't just email this stuff - make an appointment to sit down with a financial aid counselor in person if possible. They're more likely to really advocate for you when they can put a face to the situation. One thing that really helped me was asking specifically about work-study opportunities too - even if it's just a few thousand, every bit helps close that gap!