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For anyone else having this issue, here's a step-by-step fix that worked for me and seems to have helped the original poster: 1. Start at the very beginning of your renewal application 2. Complete EVERY field on EVERY page (even if unchanged from last year) 3. Click 'Save' on each page before proceeding 4. When you reach the financial section, try the IRS Data Retrieval Tool first 5. If the tool doesn't work for your situation, you should then get the option to enter manually 6. Complete the application in a single session if possible Also, clear your browser cache or try a different browser if you're still having troubles. The 2025-2026 FAFSA has a lot of technical updates, so these glitches are unfortunately common.
As someone new to this whole FAFSA process, this thread has been incredibly helpful! I'm a first-time applicant and was getting really worried when I hit similar issues with my financial sections not updating properly. It's reassuring to know this is a common problem with solutions. I'm definitely going to follow the step-by-step guide that Vanessa shared - it sounds like the key is being super methodical and not skipping any steps, even if they seem redundant. Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences!
Update on my situation for those having similar problems - I finally got through using that Claimyr service I mentioned, and the FSA agent told me this is happening to a LOT of people right now. They're aware of the issue but don't have a system-wide fix yet, so they have to address cases individually. The agent had to basically reset a portion of my application so I could add my spouse properly. Just wanted to share in case others are still struggling with this!
I tried the Claimyr service and it worked!! Finally got through to someone at FSA. They had to do some kind of manual override on my account, and now I can see the contributor page working properly. I was able to add my husband's information and move forward to the signature page. THANK YOU to everyone who suggested solutions! What a relief!
So glad to see you got it resolved! This thread has been incredibly helpful - I'm dealing with a similar issue where I can't add my parent's information as a contributor. The "check back later" error has been driving me crazy for days. I'm definitely going to try the Claimyr service based on everyone's recommendations here. It's reassuring to know that FSA agents can actually fix this with a manual override. Fingers crossed I can get through to someone soon before my deadline!
Based on your situation, here's what I recommend: 1. Contact the financial aid office immediately (phone and email) 2. Explain your situation - accepted but waiting on final aid before deposit 3. Ask for a timeline on the complete package 4. If they can't provide it before the deadline, ask if you can make a partial deposit to hold the spot while finalizing aid 5. If needed, request a formal appeal based on the gap between your SAI and current offer Most importantly, don't let the May 1 deadline pass without some kind of action. Some schools may offer deposit extensions if you're actively working with financial aid, but don't assume this without confirming.
As someone who went through this process recently, I'd recommend calling the financial aid office first thing Monday morning. Most schools are understanding about families needing complete information before the May 1 deadline. When I called about my daughter's package, they were able to expedite the remaining paperwork and gave us the full picture within 48 hours. The key is being proactive rather than waiting - they often have the information ready but haven't processed it yet. Also, ask specifically if there are any additional merit scholarships or grants you haven't been considered for yet. Sometimes there are departmental scholarships that aren't automatically included in the initial package.
Update? Were you able to determine what happened with your loans? If your daughter's federal loans truly are starting at 3 months, that's an error that needs to be corrected immediately.
YES! Mystery solved. My daughter's federal loans ARE on the 6-month schedule. The notification she got was just a "heads up" that payment would begin in November (which is 6 months after May graduation). For my Parent PLUS loan, I apparently DIDN'T check the deferment box on the original application (found my paperwork). BUT I was able to call and request administrative forbearance for 3 months to align with her repayment schedule. The representative was actually really helpful once I finally got through. Thanks to everyone who helped me figure this out! Such a relief.
So glad you got this sorted out! This is actually a really common source of confusion that trips up a lot of families. The "heads up" notifications from loan servicers can be super misleading - they often make it sound like payments are due immediately when they're really just giving you advance notice. Your experience is a perfect example of why it's so important to distinguish between federal and private loans, and to understand the specific terms of Parent PLUS loans. Thanks for sharing the resolution - I'm sure this thread will help other families who run into the same issue!
Maxwell St. Laurent
Just checking back - were you able to get this resolved? The birthdate issue is critical because it affects her SAI calculation and potentially her eligibility for age-specific grants like some state programs for first-time college students under 19.
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Talia Klein
•Update: We finally got it fixed! After trying several of the suggestions here, what ended up working was calling early morning (right when they opened) and specifically asking for a tier 2 specialist for birthdate corrections. The agent was able to verify her identity and manually override the birthdate in the system. They said it will take 3-5 days to fully update, but we can already see the correction pending in her account. Thanks everyone for your help with this frustrating situation!
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Zoe Papadopoulos
So glad to hear you got it resolved! This thread is going to be super helpful for other families dealing with the same issue. The tip about calling right when they open and asking specifically for a "tier 2 specialist for birthdate corrections" is gold - I'm bookmarking this whole conversation. The FAFSA system really needs better error messaging to guide people through these correction processes instead of just saying "Unable to Complete This Action." Thanks for sharing your update!
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