Can't add more colleges to FAFSA while application is under review - need urgent solution

ya same thing happend to me last year!! its so frustrating, u basicly have to wait until the review is done. took like 4 weeks for me

You don't actually need to wait for the full review to be completed. There's a workaround: Call the Federal Student Aid Information Center at 1-800-433-3243 and specifically request to add schools to your FAFSA while it's in process. They can usually override the system and add the schools manually on their end. Make sure you have your FSA ID, the school codes for the institutions you want to add, and your confirmation number ready when you call.

I had this exact problem! I was freaking out because I needed to add schools before their priority deadline. After trying to call the FSA number for days and never getting through, I used this service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that holds your place in line and calls you back when an agent is available. Saved me like 3 hours of hold time and the agent added my schools right away. They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/TbC8dZQWYNQ The FSA agent told me that they can indeed add schools while your application is processing - it's just that the website doesn't allow it. She also mentioned that everyone is experiencing delays this year with the new FAFSA system.

Financial aid advisor here. This is a common issue with the new FAFSA system. Three options: 1) Call FSA and have them manually add schools (best option) 2) Contact each school's financial aid office directly - some will accept a screenshot of your confirmation page + school code addition request 3) Wait until processing completes One important note: Even if your FAFSA shows 'processing,' schools you already listed WILL receive your information once the SAI calculation is complete. The processing status only affects your ability to make changes, not the transmission of data to already-listed schools.

This whole new FAFSA system is a DISASTER!!! My daughter's application has been "processing" for OVER SIX WEEKS now!! And every time we call that stupid 800 number we get disconnected. The colleges keep sending us reminders about missing financial aid info but THERE'S NOTHING WE CAN DO! How are students supposed to make enrollment decisions when the system is this broken??? And now they're telling us we can't even add schools?? When is the government going to FIX THIS MESS?!?

why dont u just submit a whole new fafsa with all the schools?

UPDATE: I finally got through to FSA this morning! Used that Claimyr service someone mentioned and it worked great - got a callback in about 40 minutes instead of waiting on hold forever. The agent was super helpful and added both schools to my FAFSA right away. She said my application is actually almost done processing (should be complete in 2-3 more business days), but confirmed I definitely did the right thing by calling instead of waiting. Apparently the school add issue is a known bug in the new system that they're still working on fixing. Thanks everyone for your help!!

Fun fact: when I was doing my FAFSA back in 2022 I had the exact opposite problem. I accidentally added too many schools (like 15) and couldn't remove any while it was processing lol. The financial aid offices at schools I wasn't even applying to kept emailing me about completing their supplemental forms 😂

Just want to add another tip for anyone still dealing with this - if you can't get through to FSA by phone, you can also try contacting your state's financial aid agency. Many states have their own hotlines and can sometimes help with federal FAFSA issues or at least provide guidance on next steps. Also, most college financial aid offices are pretty understanding about FAFSA delays this year given all the system issues. If you're worried about missing priority deadlines, reach out to the schools directly and explain the situation - many are extending their internal deadlines or making exceptions for students stuck in FAFSA processing limbo.