FAFSA 'In Process' status for weeks - not moving to 'In Review' despite signatures

The FAFSA status indicators can be confusing! 'In Process' actually means they've received your application and are working on it. It doesn't necessarily move to 'In Review' - that's not a standard status in the new FAFSA system. If you've both signed it and submitted all required information, you're probably fine. The new 2025-2026 FAFSA processing times are much longer than previous years - taking 4-6 weeks for many people to get their SAI calculation.

we had the same thing with my son last month!!! stayed on 'in process' for like 5 weeks and we freaked out but then suddnely got the email with his SAI. the whole fafsa thing is so broken this year.

lol I wouldn't worry too much, my daighter's FAFSA was 'in process' for over a month before anything happened. the new system is super slow

This actually happened to my nephew. His application stayed 'In Process' for weeks, and we were worried since his priority deadline was approaching. I finally managed to reach a FAFSA agent using Claimyr (claimyr.com), which let me bypass the long hold times. The agent confirmed everything was fine but processing times are extended this year. They also said schools are aware of these delays, and many are being flexible with their priority deadlines. There's a quick video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/TbC8dZQWYNQ - saved us hours of waiting on hold!

THE WHOLE FAFSA SYSTEM IS COMPLETELY BROKEN THIS YEAR!!! My son's application has been "in process" for SIX WEEKS and we still don't have an SAI! We've called THIRTY TIMES and either get disconnected or told "it's still processing" with NO explanation! The financial aid office at his school says they're seeing this EVERYWHERE and some students are LOSING SCHOLARSHIPS because of it!!! This is RIDICULOUS!

Financial aid advisor here. The 'In Process' status is normal in the new FAFSA system. A few important points: 1. 'In Process' means your application is in the system and processing - there is no separate 'In Review' status that it needs to change to 2. Processing times for 2025-2026 FAFSA are averaging 4-7 weeks right now 3. Many colleges and universities are extending their priority filing deadlines specifically because of these delays 4. You can request a confirmation of receipt from FSA by calling 1-800-433-3243 5. Most schools can see that you've submitted even without an SAI calculation (they just can't see your financial data yet) I recommend contacting your daughter's preferred schools directly and explaining that you've submitted the FAFSA but are waiting for processing. Most institutions are creating contingency plans for exactly this situation.

My daughter had the same issue and we were totally freaking out because her scholarship deadline was coming up fast. I was able to call the financial aid office at her prospective school and they told me that they can actually see that we submitted even without the SAI being calculated. They noted it in her file that she had completed the FAFSA on time. They said they're making exceptions for everyone because of the delays. Maybe try that?

when we were waiting my son also got an email from his school asking for the FAFSA confirmation number! def save that email u got when u submitted!! they can use that to verify u did everything on time even if the stupid processing is delayed!!!!

Thank you everyone for the helpful advice! I feel much better now. I found the original confirmation email with our submission number and date. My daughter is contacting all her schools today to let them know we've submitted but are still waiting for processing. Her top choice school actually told her they're being flexible with aid deadlines this year specifically because of the FAFSA delays! Such a relief.

I'm in the exact same situation! My FAFSA has been "In Process" for about 2.5 weeks now and I was getting really worried. Reading all these responses is so reassuring - it sounds like this is completely normal this year and not a sign that something went wrong. I'm definitely going to contact my schools tomorrow to let them know I submitted on time but am still waiting for processing. Has anyone had luck getting updates by checking the FAFSA app versus the website, or are they both showing the same status?

I'm dealing with this exact same situation right now! My FAFSA has been stuck on "In Process" for about 3 weeks and I was starting to panic about missing deadlines. This thread has been incredibly helpful - I had no idea that the processing times were this extended across the board this year. The advice about contacting schools directly with your confirmation number is brilliant. I just checked and I still have my original submission email from when we completed everything. It's such a relief to know that schools can see we submitted on time even without the SAI calculation being finished yet. Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences - it really helps to know we're not alone in this!