Adding schools to FAFSA now - will it delay processing after federal loan freeze?
I'm freaking out about this whole federal loan freeze situation from yesterday! I need to add two more schools to my FAFSA application (just heard back from my safety schools and want to keep options open), but I'm terrified of messing anything up right now. My current application shows as 'processed' with an SAI score, but I don't know if making an edit will reset everything or cause problems with the uncertainty around federal funding. Has anyone added schools after their application was already processed? Will it trigger a full review again or just update my school list? I can't afford any delays with the May 1st decision deadline coming up!
19 comments
Join the conversation
Miguel Ortiz
i added a school last week and my sai stayed the same. it just shows up as 'sent' to the new school after like 3 days
0 coins
Ava Rodriguez
•That's reassuring! Did you have to resubmit the whole application or just add the school codes?
0 coins
Zainab Khalil
You can safely add schools to your FAFSA without affecting your processed status or SAI score. The system simply sends your existing information to the additional schools you select. This is a common action many students take as they finalize their college decisions, and it won't trigger a new review of your application. The loan freeze situation is related to the Department of Education's administrative functions, not the FAFSA processing system. They're separate issues, so adding schools won't interact with any temporary loan processing delays.
0 coins
Ava Rodriguez
•Thank you so much for explaining! That really helps calm my nerves about making changes right now.
0 coins
QuantumQuest
my cousin added some schools in 2022 and they totally reset his whole application back to processing!! he had to wait another 6 weeks and almost missed his deadline. might be different now with the new system but just saying be careful!!
0 coins
Zainab Khalil
•That's very unusual and likely related to something else that changed in the application. The FAFSA system is designed to allow adding schools without reprocessing the entire application. Perhaps your cousin inadvertently changed some financial information at the same time?
0 coins
QuantumQuest
•idk maybe? he just told me it got reset when he added schools, but yeah could've been something else he changed too
0 coins
Connor Murphy
I'm in the same boat!! Trying to add Boston University last minute but scared of messing anything up. Has anyone actually added schools successfully AFTER the whole federal freeze announcement specifically? That's what has me worried.
0 coins
Yara Haddad
•The federal student loan payment pause announcement doesn't affect FAFSA processing or your ability to add schools. These are completely separate systems. You can confidently add schools to your FAFSA right now without any impact on your existing processed application. Your SAI score will remain unchanged, and your information will simply be sent to the additional schools you select.
0 coins
Keisha Robinson
You should definitely call FSA directly to confirm. I spent 3 hours on hold yesterday trying to get through to them for a different issue and finally gave up. If anyone knows a better way to reach them, please share!
0 coins
Paolo Conti
•I was struggling with the same issue last week trying to get through to FSA about verification documents. After getting disconnected twice and waiting on hold forever, I found this service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that holds your place in line and calls you when an agent is available. Saved me hours of waiting, and I finally got my questions answered. They have a demo video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/TbC8dZQWYNQ. Way better than listening to that hold music for hours!
0 coins
Keisha Robinson
•omg thank you! going to try this right now
0 coins
Yara Haddad
Financial aid advisor here. You can absolutely add schools to your FAFSA right now without any issues. This is a standard procedure that won't affect your processed status or trigger a new review. The recent federal loan freeze announcement is about loan repayments for existing borrowers, not about FAFSA processing or aid eligibility for incoming students. Steps to add schools: 1. Log in to studentaid.gov 2. Go to your FAFSA application 3. Select "Make FAFSA Corrections" 4. Navigate to the School Selection section 5. Add your additional school codes 6. Submit the correction Your SAI score will remain unchanged, and your information will be sent to the new schools within 3-5 days. No need to worry about this affecting your current status.
0 coins
Ava Rodriguez
•This is SO helpful! Thank you for the clear steps. I just added my schools and everything says it's being processed. Fingers crossed the new schools get my info in time for aid packaging!
0 coins
Connor Murphy
UPDATE: I just added two more schools this morning and it worked fine! My status still shows as processed with the same SAI score, and the new schools are listed as "Will be sent" - seems like it's not affected by all the federal loan drama after all.
0 coins
Ava Rodriguez
•That's awesome! Thanks for letting us know. I'm going to do mine right now too.
0 coins
Miguel Diaz
Just wanted to add my experience as someone who was in a similar situation last month! I was super nervous about adding schools after my FAFSA was already processed, but I ended up adding 3 additional schools and it was completely seamless. My SAI stayed exactly the same, and the schools received my information within about 4 days. The key thing I learned is that adding schools is just sending your already-processed data to more recipients - it doesn't change or reprocess any of your financial information. Good luck with your applications!
0 coins
Jason Brewer
•Thank you for sharing your experience! It's really reassuring to hear from someone who went through the exact same thing. The fact that your SAI stayed the same and everything processed smoothly gives me so much more confidence. I think I was overthinking it because of all the news about federal loan issues, but you're absolutely right - it's just sending the same data to more schools. Really appreciate you taking the time to share this!
0 coins
Kaitlyn Otto
I was in the exact same panic mode last week! Added 4 schools to my FAFSA after it was already processed and honestly it couldn't have been easier. Logged in, clicked "Make FAFSA Corrections," added my school codes, and submitted. My SAI didn't change at all and the schools showed up as "sent" within 2-3 days. The federal loan freeze thing had me spooked too but like others have said, that's totally separate from FAFSA processing. Don't stress - you've got this! The system is designed for students to add schools right up until decision deadlines.
0 coins