FAFSA
CommunityFinancial Services
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FAFSA login 2-step verification emails not coming through - blank screen when trying other methods
Has anyone else been locked out of their FAFSA account because of verification issues? I've been trying to log in to check my SAI calculation and submit additional documentation, but I never receive the 2-step verification email. I've checked my spam folder, trash, everything - nothing shows up. When I try to select a different verification method (text message or authentication app), the page just loads a completely blank screen. I've tried 3 different browsers and even my phone. My financial aid deadline is in 2 weeks and I'm starting to panic! Any suggestions on how to get past this?
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FAFSA delays affecting IRS tax return processing? 570 & 971 codes keeping my refund on hold
Super stressed right now! Filed my taxes through TurboTax first week of February (wanted to get FAFSA stuff done early) and my refund is STILL not here. Checked Where's My Refund and it shows processing. Called IRS and after 2 hours on hold, found out I have codes 570 (additional account action pending) and 971 (notice issued) on my transcript from March 5. The agent couldn't tell me anything specific. Our household income is around $72K, my husband and I both work W2 jobs and claim 0 allowances specifically to avoid any issues. We've used the same CPA for years with zero problems. I've literally triple-checked our 1040 line by line and found nothing wrong. The only thing different this year is we have a daughter starting college in Fall 2025 and submitted our FAFSA application right after taxes. I've heard the FAFSA processing system is super backed up this year - could this somehow be causing the IRS delay? Has anyone else with pending FAFSA apps experienced unusual tax return delays? I'm starting to get worried because we were counting on that refund for summer tuition deposits.
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Quick tip that might help others: For anyone dealing with these delays and needing to make college financial decisions, contact your school's financial aid office directly. Many colleges have implemented provisional aid award processes specifically to deal with the FAFSA processing backlog this year. They can often use estimated SAI calculations based on tax return copies you provide directly to them while waiting for official FAFSA processing. This won't help with the tax refund delay, but it can at least keep your college financial planning on track.
This is really helpful - we've been worried about missing tuition deposit deadlines while waiting for the official aid package. I'll contact the financial aid office tomorrow!
My friend works at the IRS (not supposed to tell me this stuff but whatever) and she says they're prioritizing processing people who OWE money first, then doing refunds after. So if you're getting a refund, you're automatically at the back of the line. Has nothing to do with FAFSA - just how they maximize revenue collection.
This is incorrect. The IRS processing queues are primarily organized by filing method (electronic vs. paper), then by filing date, then by complexity factors. There is no systematic prioritization of returns with balances due over returns with refunds. What is true is that returns claiming certain credits like EITC or Additional Child Tax Credit face mandated review periods, which can delay processing.
Where to apply for subsidized, unsubsidized, and Parent PLUS loans for out-of-state college?
Our daughter just got accepted to a college in New York, but we live in Connecticut. We're completely new to the financial aid process and confused about where/how to actually apply for the different loan types. I've heard about subsidized and unsubsidized loans for students, plus something called Parent PLUS loans that we might need. Do we apply through the Connecticut state system, the New York system, or somewhere else entirely? Also, is there a deadline we should know about? The acceptance letter mentioned needing to complete financial aid stuff asap but didn't give specifics about these loans.
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AVOID PARENT PLUS LOANS IF YOU CAN!!! The interest rates are RIDICULOUS compared to the regular student loans. Our first child graduated 2 years ago and we're still buried in Parent PLUS debt. The subsidized and unsubsidized federal loans have much better rates and more flexible repayment options. Max those out first! Also look into private loans before Parent PLUS - if you have decent credit you can probably get a better rate.
While Parent PLUS loans do have higher interest rates, I wouldn't necessarily recommend private loans first. Federal loans (including Parent PLUS) have advantages like income-driven repayment plans, potential loan forgiveness, and hardship deferments that private loans don't offer. But you're absolutely right that students should maximize subsidized and unsubsidized loans before parents take on PLUS loans.
Does anyone know if we need to fill out a separate CSS Profile for the NY school? I've heard some schools require that in addition to FAFSA, but I'm not sure if that's related to the federal loans or something else entirely.
The CSS Profile is for institutional aid (scholarships and grants from the college itself), not for federal loans. Some private colleges require it, but not all. Check your daughter's specific college's financial aid website or call their financial aid office to confirm if they require the CSS Profile. The federal loans (subsidized, unsubsidized, Parent PLUS) only require the FAFSA, not the CSS Profile.
FAFSA submission confirmed but still getting 'section not submitted' emails - what's going on?
I'm so frustrated with the new FAFSA system! My daughter and I both completed our sections of the 2024-25 FAFSA two weeks ago. We received the confirmation page showing both sections were submitted successfully (with the green checkmarks) and even took screenshots. But we're STILL getting these automated emails saying "Your information was provided on a 2024-25 FAFSA form, but your section hasn't been submitted yet. Complete your section of the form now..." When we log in, it shows as submitted with confirmation numbers for both sections. Has anyone else experienced this email glitch? Should we be worried our application isn't actually being processed? I don't want to miss any deadlines because of a system error!
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am i the only 1 who thinks its RIDICULOUS they made this new system and its been nothing but problems?? like they had YEARS to plan this rollout and its still a mess. my brothers fafsa from last year took like 3 days to process and mine is going on week 5 with these same weird emails
EXACTLY!! It's like they didn't even test it before launching! 🤦♀️
The issue seems to be affecting almost everyone. My daughter's college financial aid office told me they're seeing delays across the board with the new system.
UPDATE: For anyone following this thread - after about 3 weeks, the emails finally stopped for us. Our SAI showed up in the system after about 25 days (much longer than previous years). But everything processed correctly even with those annoying emails. So if you're experiencing this, just hang tight!
Thank you SO much for coming back to update! That's really reassuring. We're only at the 2-week mark, so I'll try to be patient for a couple more weeks before really worrying.
Cal Grant deadline extension possible? Stuck waiting for FAFSA SAR to apply
I'm totally freaking out right now! The Cal Grant deadline is approaching, and I STILL haven't received my Student Aid Report (SAR) from FAFSA. It's been almost 3 weeks since I submitted everything. How am I supposed to complete my Cal Grant application without the SAR?? Has anyone heard if California is planning to extend the deadline because of all the FAFSA delays this year? My entire college funding depends on this and I'm literally losing sleep over it. My counselor just keeps saying "be patient" but that's not helpful when deadlines are looming!!
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my cousin said they might extend it again if too many people still dont have their SARs
While further extensions are possible, I wouldn't count on them. The May 5th extension is already exceptional. Students should do everything possible to obtain their SARs before this date rather than hoping for additional extensions.
UPDATE: I finally got my SAR!!! Called FSA using that Claimyr service someone mentioned above and got through to an actual person in about 30 minutes. They found a small error in my parent's contribution section that was holding everything up. The agent fixed it right away and my SAR was processed within 24 hours. Already submitted my Cal Grant application with 2 weeks to spare before the extended deadline. Such a relief! Thanks everyone for your help!
congrats!!! gonna try this myself tomorrow. did they charge you a lot for the service?
It was worth whatever they charged just to get this resolved! But honestly I was so stressed about the SAR I didn't even pay attention to the cost. I just needed to talk to a human at FSA!
Liam McConnell
i just went through this last week! the thing that worked for me was using my phone data instead of wifi to access the site. sounds weird but apparently some wifi networks block certain authentication protocols. dont ask me why but it fixed it when nothing else worked
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Yuki Tanaka
AuthorThat's an interesting suggestion! I'll definitely try that today - I've been on wifi for all my attempts so far. Thanks!
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Yuki Tanaka
UPDATE: I got in! That Claimyr service actually worked - I got through to an FSA agent in about 15 minutes. Turns out there was a typo in my email (it had an extra period that I never noticed), so verification emails were going nowhere. Once they updated my email in the system, I was able to log in with the regular 2-step verification. Thanks everyone for your help and suggestions!
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AstroAce
Great news! This is actually a very common issue - I've seen many students with small typos in their email addresses that prevent verification. For anyone else experiencing this problem, always have an agent double-check your contact information in the system.
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Jamal Brown
So glad you got it fixed! Now I'm wondering if my daughter has the same issue...
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