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random question but did u check ur spam folder? my sons invitation went there and then when i found it and clicked it worked fine.
We did check the spam folder and found the invitation email there the first time. For our second attempt, we actually added studentaid.gov to his safe senders list first, and that email came through to the inbox. So we definitely have the emails - it's just that when he clicks through and logs in, there's nothing there for him to complete.
Just wanted to follow up on my earlier comment - did any of the suggestions work for you? I'm curious if you were able to resolve this issue. Several families I've been helping encountered similar problems, and I've found that in about 60% of cases, it's related to the parent's FSA ID not being fully validated in the system. If it's been more than 3 days since creating it, I'd definitely suggest calling FSA directly (or using that Claimyr service someone mentioned to skip the wait).
Thanks for checking back! We tried several of the suggestions tonight. First, we completely removed him as a contributor, waited 30 minutes, then added him back with his Gmail instead of work email. We also triple-checked that his name exactly matched his FSA ID. Unfortunately, still not working! His FSA ID is definitely old and validated (from her brother's application years ago), so that's not it. We're going to try again tomorrow after a full 24 hours, and if that doesn't work, I think we'll need to call FSA directly. This is so frustrating!
I ALMOST FORGOT - make sure your son's name on the FAFSA EXACTLY matches his Social Security card. My daughter goes by her middle name and we accidentally put that instead of her legal first name and it caused a HUGE delay getting everything processed. Same with birthdates and SSNs - triple check before submitting because fixing errors can set you back weeks or even months in the process.
One last recommendation: after you submit the FAFSA, take screenshots of the confirmation page and save the confirmation email. Document everything in this process. If you call FSA, note the date, time, and representative's name. If you have to submit additional documentation, keep copies and proof of submission. The financial aid system can be bureaucratic, and having a paper trail has saved many families from missing out on aid due to processing errors or lost documentation.
One more thing to consider - while your federal loan rates won't increase, each year's new FAFSA loans might have different rates. So your freshman year loans might be at 5.38%, but if rates change next year, your sophomore loans could have a different rate. Each loan keeps its original rate forever, but you end up with a mix of different rates across your total student debt.
My brother had this same worry! He graduated 2yrs ago and couldn't find a job for 9mo, but his rates stayed exactly the same as when he started. He did have to call and request forbearance tho so he wouldn't get dinged for missed payments. Interest still built up tho except on his subsidized ones.
Update on the signature issue: if you're still having problems, the Department of Education just released a workaround yesterday. You need to: 1. Log in to studentaid.gov 2. Go to My Documents 3. Select "FAFSA Signature Exception" 4. Upload a photo of a handwritten signature along with a photo of the student's ID This temporary measure was implemented because of widespread signature page issues with the 2025-2026 form. Thought you should know about this official alternative.
Savannah Glover
this is so confusing! so fafsa doesnt care about your savings at ALL now?? that seems crazy to me
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Felix Grigori
Not entirely accurate. The FAFSA still considers certain assets, but they've raised the Asset Protection Allowance and simplified which assets are counted. For most middle-income families, bank accounts no longer factor in. However, larger investments, additional properties, and business assets are still considered if they exceed certain thresholds. The formula now places more emphasis on income than liquid assets for most applicants.
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