Can you save progress and return later when completing FAFSA forms?

Yes! You can absolutely save your progress and return later. There's a 'Save' button at the bottom of each page of the FAFSA form. When you save, you'll get a confirmation message. Just make sure you've created your FSA ID first (both you and any contributing parents need one). When you want to continue, just log back in with your FSA ID and password, and you'll be able to pick up where you left off. Your saved info stays available for 45 days before it expires.

yep u can save and come back anytime. i did mine over like 2 weeks lol. just hit save and ur good

You CAN save your work, but BE CAREFUL!! I thought I saved mine last year and when I went back, half my information was GONE and I had to re-enter everything!!! Make sure you actually click the SAVE button on EACH PAGE and wait for the confirmation before closing. Don't just X out of the browser or you might lose stuff. The system is SO GLITCHY sometimes.

Just adding - when I did my daughter's FAFSA, I found it helpful to gather all the documents first before starting. You'll need: tax returns (yours and maybe your spouse's), W-2 forms, bank statements, investment records if any, and your Social Security numbers. Having everything ready makes it way easier than constantly stopping to find stuff.

To directly answer your question: yes, you can save and return later. The FAFSA application has a save function that preserves your work for 45 days. Some additional information you might find helpful: 1. Each time you return, you'll need to log in with your FSA ID 2. The application is divided into sections, and each section needs to be saved separately 3. You'll see a "save" button at the bottom of each page 4. When you return, you'll be able to use the "FAFSA Save Key" you created to access your application 5. If you're adding parental information, they'll need their own FSA ID to sign electronically The system will also automatically save as you progress through certain sections, but it's always best to manually save before exiting.

when I tried to save and come back later last month the site kept crashing every time I tried to login again. ended up calling the FAFSA helpline and waiting for 2 hours just to get disconnected. eventually used Claimyr (claimyr.com) to get through to an actual person. they have this cool system where they call FAFSA and wait on hold for you, then call you once they have an agent on the line. saved me hours of frustration. there's a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/TbC8dZQWYNQ

I started my FAFSA in December and finished it in January, so yes, you can definitely save and come back! But I just wanted to add that since you mentioned having three kids - if any of them are also in college, make sure you include that information in your application. Having multiple students in college at once can significantly increase your aid eligibility by lowering your SAI (Student Aid Index). Each dependent student in college can make a big difference!

Is anyone else having problems with the mobile version of the FAFSA site? I tried saving on my phone and it seemed to work but then lost everything!! Had to restart on my laptop. Just warning everyone to maybe stick to desktop if possible!!

Update: Thanks everyone for the helpful advice! I was able to save my progress and come back to it this morning. I also took the suggestion to gather all my documents first - made things SO much easier! One question though: I saved and came back, but now it's asking me about my "contribution number" - is that the same as my SAI? Sorry for the confusion!

Hey there! Just wanted to chime in as someone who's been through the FAFSA process multiple times with my kids. Yes, you can absolutely save and return - that's one of the best features! A few quick tips from my experience: 1) Always use the same browser/device when returning to avoid any glitches, 2) If you're logging in from a different computer, make sure to clear your cache first, and 3) Don't wait until the last minute before the deadline even though you have 45 days to complete - the system can get overloaded closer to deadlines. Good luck with your application! The fact that you're being proactive about this shows you're on the right track for getting your kids the aid they need.

Just wanted to add one more helpful tip from my experience as a financial aid counselor - make sure you're working on the correct academic year's FAFSA! Since you mentioned 2025-2026, double-check that you're on the right form. Also, if you're a single mom, you'll automatically be considered an independent student, which often works in your favor for aid calculations. One last thing - if your income has changed significantly since your tax return (job loss, reduced hours, etc.), make note of that. You can contact the financial aid offices at your kids' schools after submitting to discuss a "professional judgment" review if your current financial situation is different from what your tax forms show. The save feature is definitely your friend here - take your time and don't stress about doing it all at once!

One more thing that might help - if you're working between shifts like you mentioned, consider using the IRS Data Retrieval Tool (DRT) if it's available for your tax year. It automatically pulls your tax information directly from the IRS into your FAFSA, which can save you a lot of time manually entering numbers and reduces errors. You can access it from within the FAFSA form when you get to the tax information section. Just make sure your tax return has been processed by the IRS first (usually takes 2-3 weeks after filing). This could be a real time-saver for a busy single mom trying to juggle everything!

As someone who just went through this process with my twins last year, I can confirm the save feature works great! One tip I didn't see mentioned yet - if you're completing the application over multiple sessions like I did, keep a simple notepad or document where you jot down what sections you've completed each time. The FAFSA interface shows your progress, but I found it helpful to have my own tracking system. Also, since you mentioned being a single mom juggling work shifts - the FAFSA customer service line is open evenings until 11 PM ET (1-800-4-FED-AID), which might work better with your schedule than calling during business hours if you run into any issues. You've got this!