Can't access saved FAFSA application to make corrections before signing - help needed

Check the upper right corner of your FAFSA dashboard. There should be a dropdown menu called 'My FAFSA' that shows all your in-progress applications. If you don't see it there, try clearing your browser cache and cookies - the site sometimes gets stuck in a weird state where it can't find your saved progress. Also make sure you're using the exact same login credentials you used when you started.

this happened to me too!! ended up having to do the WHOLE thing again bc I couldn't find my saved one anywhere. so annoying and took forever to re-enter everything

There's actually a specific way to access saved applications. When you log in to studentaid.gov, don't click on "Start FAFSA Form" - instead look for "Returning User" or "Continue FAFSA Form" option. If that doesn't work, check if you might have accidentally created two FSA IDs. I've seen students create multiple accounts accidentally when they get frustrated with the login process. Also, if you can't see your saved application, check which aid year you're selecting. Make sure you're choosing 2025-2026 and not accidentally clicking on a different year's application.

I've been having EXACTLY the same problem today!!! So frustrating. I've tried everything - different browsers, clearing cache, etc. I think there might be a glitch in the system right now. Anyone know how to actually talk to a human at FAFSA? I tried calling the number on their site but I've been on hold for over an hour.

The FAFSA system is ABSOLUTE GARBAGE. This happens EVERY YEAR and they never fix it!! I lost THREE different saved applications last cycle and had to complete everything from scratch. Their IT department is clearly run by monkeys. The whole system needs to be rebuilt from the ground up. Here's what I learned: their save function is basically broken. The only safe approach is to complete the entire application in one sitting and submit it. Even if you think it saved, it probably didn't. This is why thousands of students don't complete their FAFSAs - the technology is broken and unusable.

Check if ur using the mobile site vs desktop version. sometimes the saves dont transfer between them

Just to follow up, another consideration is that the FAFSA system sometimes creates a "save key" when you save your progress - it's different from your FSA ID password. It should have prompted you to create this when you first saved. Do you remember if you created a save key? If so, when you click "Continue FAFSA Form," it should ask for this key. Also, is it possible you might have inadvertently started filling out a paper FAFSA PDF rather than the online application? The paper version wouldn't save to your online account.

UPDATE: Success! After trying different browsers, I found my saved application on Chrome (I originally used Safari). AND I found my save key written on a post-it note I had completely forgotten about. I'm now back in my application and can make the W-2 corrections before submitting. Thank you all for your help and suggestions!