UPDATE: I finally got it working! After trying literally everything suggested here, what finally worked was: 1. Had my stepdad create a brand new FSA ID (even though his old one worked fine for the initial application) 2. Logged in at 3:15am when the system was quiet 3. Went through the "View Processed Information" route instead of the regular correction path 4. Used Chrome in incognito mode with all extensions disabled The signature button finally actually DID something! Got the confirmation email 10 minutes later. Thanks everyone for the help - this system is such a nightmare. For anyone else with this issue, try creating a new FSA ID for your contributor!

Wow, creating a new FSA ID to fix the signature issue - that's such a random but brilliant solution! I'm dealing with a similar problem right now where my mom's signature isn't working after we corrected some tax info. The button just sits there doing nothing no matter what browser or device we use. Going to try your exact steps tonight: new FSA ID for her, 3am login, "View Processed Information" route, and Chrome incognito. Fingers crossed this nightmare finally ends! Thanks for coming back to share what actually worked - you're a lifesaver for posting the solution after you figured it out.

One last suggestion - create a folder (physical or digital) with these categories: 1. Academic achievements (honor roll, awards, etc.) 2. Extracurricular participation proof (certificates, programs) 3. Community service documentation 4. Test scores 5. Notable projects or work samples Start collecting everything now, even if it seems minor. By senior year, you'll have a comprehensive portfolio to reference when filling out applications. The number one reason students struggle with applications is they can't remember or document their achievements from 9th-10th grade. Also, check if your state has any early commitment programs. Some states like Indiana, Oklahoma and Florida have programs where 7th-8th graders can commit to certain requirements and guarantee state aid later.

As a financial aid counselor, I want to emphasize something that hasn't been mentioned yet - start teaching your son about financial literacy NOW. Many students get to college with no understanding of student loans, interest rates, or how debt impacts their future. Consider having him read books like "The Complete Guide to Paying for College" or even age-appropriate resources about budgeting and saving. When scholarship/aid decisions come up in a few years, he'll be equipped to make informed choices rather than just taking whatever is offered. Also, if he's strong in math, look into actuarial science or finance programs - many have excellent scholarship opportunities and high earning potential that can offset college costs through future income rather than just aid. One more thing - start visiting college campuses now, even casually. It helps kids understand what they're working toward and can motivate them to stay focused on academics. Plus, demonstrated interest at some schools can actually impact merit aid decisions later!

**EDITED TO ADD:** After being on hold for nearly an hour, I finally got through to the CA Student Aid Commission. For students who have both parent and student with SSNs but are having FAFSA submission issues, they said students can submit the CA Dream Act Application as a backup. They will still need to complete the FAFSA by June 30th and submit an Application Conversion Form (G-55), but this ensures they won't miss Cal Grant eligibility. Hope this helps!

As a California parent who just went through this nightmare with my twins, I wanted to share what finally worked for us after days of submission errors. We kept getting the "cannot continue processing" error even though everything was complete. What saved us was calling the Federal Student Aid hotline at 1-800-4-FED-AID and specifically asking them to check for "backend data corruption" on our applications. Turns out there was some kind of glitch with how our tax information was being processed that wasn't visible to us. The agent fixed it on their end and we were able to submit immediately after. For anyone still struggling - make sure to mention "backend data corruption" when you call. The first-level support didn't know what that meant, but when I got transferred to a technical specialist, they knew exactly what to look for. Both my kids' applications went through within minutes after the fix. Also documenting everything is crucial - I took screenshots every step of the way showing our completed applications with timestamps, which the agent noted in our file as proof of our attempts before the deadline.

One last piece of advice: Your financial circumstances and aid eligibility can change from year to year. After your first year, if you find your SAI is too high and you're not receiving enough aid, you can always request a Professional Judgment review (sometimes called a Special Circumstances review) from your school's financial aid office. Common situations that might qualify for reconsideration include: - Loss of income or employment - Extraordinary medical expenses - Change in parent marital status - Support of extended family members The financial aid office has discretion to adjust your aid based on these circumstances, even if they aren't reflected in your FAFSA.

Welcome to the wonderful world of annual FAFSA renewals! 😅 I know it feels overwhelming as a new student, but you've got this. Everyone here has given you excellent advice already. One tip I'd add: start gathering your documents early each year. I create a "FAFSA prep" checklist in September that includes getting tax transcripts, updating my FSA ID security info, and making sure my parents have their tax documents ready. This way when October 1st rolls around, I'm not scrambling to find everything. Also, don't be discouraged if your first renewal feels almost as complicated as your original application - by your third year, you'll be flying through it! The pre-populated fields really do make a huge difference once you get used to the process. Good luck with your first year of college! The financial aid paperwork is tedious but so worth it when that aid money hits your account. 🎓

Update: We finally got it to work! The button was indeed labeled "Link to IRS" like someone mentioned. We had to switch from Safari to Chrome and make sure we entered our address EXACTLY as it appeared on our tax return (including abbreviations). The best part is that it pulled in everything automatically - our AGI, taxes paid, schedules, everything! Thank you all for your help, this saved us so much time and stress.

So glad to see this thread helped you get it working! For anyone else reading this later - the key tips that seem to work consistently are: 1) Use Chrome or Edge browser, 2) Look for "Link to IRS" button (not the old "Transfer" wording), 3) Enter your address EXACTLY as it appears on your tax return including all abbreviations, and 4) Make sure you filed your taxes at least 3 weeks ago. The DRT really does save tons of time once you get past the initial setup hurdles!