Can't find 'Make Corrections' option for adding mom's taxes to FAFSA submission - help!
FREAKING OUT!!! I messed up big time on my 2025-2026 FAFSA submission and now I can't figure out how to fix it. I accidentally clicked that I don't want to add my mom's tax information (thinking it would ask me later or something?). I'm a dependent student in my senior year so I NEED her information included to get my financial aid!! I've been all over studentaid.gov for the past 2 days and can't find any "make corrections" button anywhere!! My financial aid deadline for fall semester is coming up soon and I'm terrified I won't get any aid. Has anyone successfully made corrections to their FAFSA after submitting? Where is this magical correction option hiding???
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Michael Green
same. i cant find the correction button either. the new fafsa is so confusing
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Hannah White
•It's the worst!! Have you tried calling them? I tried twice but got disconnected after waiting like 45 mins each time ðŸ˜
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Mateo Silva
The correction option is only available after your FAFSA has been fully processed. If you just submitted it in the last week or so, you need to wait until you receive your SAI calculation. Once your application is processed, log into studentaid.gov, go to your Dashboard, and you should see a "Make FAFSA Correction" button under the submitted application. It typically takes 3-7 days for processing, sometimes longer during peak periods.
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Hannah White
•Thank you!! Mine was submitted about 5 days ago, so maybe that's why I don't see it yet. Is there any way to check the status of processing?
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Mateo Silva
•Yes, you can check the processing status by logging into studentaid.gov and looking at your FAFSA status on the dashboard. It should say "Processing" if it's still being worked on. When you receive your SAI, you'll get an email notification and then the correction option will appear.
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Victoria Jones
I had the EXACT same problem last month!!! The new FAFSA format is soooo confusing! For me, the correction button showed up after about 8 days. But here's what I learned - if you make corrections, it basically restarts the processing time!!! So my original took 8 days, then after corrections it took ANOTHER 6 days before my school got the updated info. Just warning you so you can plan accordingly with your financial aid deadlines. The whole system is a mess this year.
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Hannah White
•Omg thank you for the heads up!! My school's priority deadline is in 3 weeks so I need to get on this ASAP 😱
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Cameron Black
i think u can also just submit a whole new fafsa application instead of correcting the old one. thats what my cousin did
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Mateo Silva
•This is incorrect and could cause serious problems. Submitting a second FAFSA for the same academic year will flag both applications in the system and could significantly delay processing. Always use the correction feature rather than submitting a new application.
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Jessica Nguyen
If you're in a hurry and can't wait for the correction option to appear, try using Claimyr to get through to a FAFSA agent directly (claimyr.com). I was in a similar situation and spent days trying to get through the regular phone line with no luck. Claimyr connected me with an agent in about 15 minutes who was able to help me understand when my correction option would be available and what specific steps I needed to take. They also have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/TbC8dZQWYNQ. Given your tight deadline for financial aid, it might be worth it to get a definitive answer directly from FSA.
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Hannah White
•I've never heard of that service before. Did they actually help with your specific issue? The FSA website is so awful and the wait times are ridiculous, I'm desperate at this point.
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Jessica Nguyen
•Yes, they helped with my specific issue. The FAFSA agent I got connected to explained exactly when my correction option would appear and also noted in my account that I had called about making this specific correction. It was so much better than waiting on hold for hours or getting disconnected.
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Isaiah Thompson
This new FAFSA system is a complete DISASTER!!! My daughter had the same issue and we had to wait 12 DAYS before we could make corrections. Then after making corrections, her SAI somehow went UP by $2,300 even though we ADDED income information that should have made it go DOWN!!! Now we're in some kind of "verification" process that's taking FOREVER. The whole thing is ridiculous and I'm convinced they're purposely making it complicated to reduce the number of students who successfully complete it.
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Ruby Garcia
•The SAI calculation doesn't always work the way people expect it to. When you add additional income, it can actually increase your SAI even though that seems counterintuitive. The formula takes into account many factors including family size, number in college, asset protection allowances, and income protection allowances. It's complicated but not designed to be punitive.
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Hannah White
UPDATE: The correction option just appeared on my account this morning! It took exactly 7 days from submission. Now I'm going through the correction process to add my mom as a contributor. Thanks everyone for your help! For anyone with the same issue - just be patient and keep checking your dashboard daily.
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Victoria Jones
•That's great news! Make sure you have your mom complete her part ASAP. Also important - after she submits her info, YOU still need to go back in and complete the final submission step. A lot of people miss that and wonder why their corrections never processed.
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