FAFSA Response Times - Average Wait for SAI Calculation?

I submitted mine in early January and it took about 2.5 weeks to get my SAI calculation. That's pretty standard from what I've heard. Three weeks is on the longer side but not unusual, especially during peak application periods. The FSA systems get overwhelmed with applications this time of year. A few things that might be causing delays: 1. Did you and any contributing parents e-sign properly? 2. Any income discrepancies that might trigger verification? 3. Did you use the IRS Data Retrieval Tool or enter tax info manually? If you're approaching a priority deadline, I recommend contacting your school's financial aid office directly. They can often see more information about your application status than you can and might be able to work with what they have.

mine took 5 weeks last year lol. the system is totally broken. don't panic yet

Current processing times are around 3-4 weeks for applications without any issues that require verification. If your application has been flagged for verification (which happens randomly to about 30% of applicants), it can take 5-6 weeks. One thing to note - if there were any minor discrepancies in the information you provided, the system might flag your application without notifying you immediately. This is particularly common with: - Discrepancies between reported income and IRS data - Unusual changes in assets from previous years - Multiple family members applying with different reported household sizes - Mismatched SSN information While waiting, make sure you regularly check your email (including spam folder) for any requests for additional information. Also log into studentaid.gov at least twice weekly as some notifications only appear in your portal. As the previous commenter suggested, contacting your school's financial aid office is a good step. Many schools will work with your application in its current state if you explain the situation.

the whole FAFSA system is GARBAGE this year!!! i submiteed mine in december and it took 6 WEEKS! then they randomly selected me for verification and asked for documents i already uploaded!!! i just got my SAI last week after calling them literally 15 times. the system is BROKEN and nobody cares about students!!

I was in the same situation last month - stuck in FAFSA processing limbo with no updates. After trying to call for days and getting nowhere, I tried using Claimyr (claimyr.com) and actually got through to a FAFSA agent in about 20 minutes. They were able to tell me my application needed a minor correction I had no idea about. They have a video that shows how it works: https://youtu.be/TbC8dZQWYNQ It saved me weeks of waiting and wondering what was going on. Once I made the correction the agent told me about, my application was processed in 3 days. Might be worth trying instead of waiting in uncertainty, especially with your deadline coming up.

Something nobody's mentioned yet - check if your application might have been selected for verification. My daughter's FAFSA sat in processing for almost a month before we realized it was flagged for verification. They sometimes don't send obvious notifications about this! Log into studentaid.gov and look for any messages or alerts. Also, I've found that the Expected Processing Time they quote is almost NEVER accurate. They told us 7-10 days, but reality was more like 30+ days. If this is your first time applying, be aware that verification is absolutely random and doesn't mean you did anything wrong. About 1/3 of all FAFSA applications get selected for verification each year. It's an extra hurdle but not the end of the world.

lol everyone here talking about 3-4 weeks like thats normal...it's NOT normal! the system is just broken. last year my friends application took 2 days. mine took 5 weeks. its totally random

Quick update on processing times - I was just helping another student yesterday who called FSA, and they said current processing times are running 21-28 days for applications without any flags or verification requirements. Applications requiring verification are taking 35-42 days. They also mentioned they're experiencing higher than normal volume because of the FAFSA Simplification rollout, which has caused some unexpected delays. If you're approaching day 28, I'd definitely recommend trying to speak with someone directly.

When I submitted my FAFSA last year it took forever too but then I realized they had been sending emails to my spam folder asking for more information! Check your spam! They needed a copy of my mom's signature or something even though we both e-signed it. The whole thing is so frustrating.

My application was taking forever too and I was getting desperate. I ended up using Claimyr that someone mentioned above to get through to FAFSA directly. Got connected to an agent in like 15 minutes when I had been trying to call for days with no luck. The agent told me exactly why my application was delayed (they needed additional documentation they never told me about). Just sharing in case it helps someone else!

UPDATE: I finally got my SAI calculation today! So it took exactly 25 days from submission to processing. Thanks everyone for the advice and support. For anyone else waiting, hang in there - it does eventually come through!

Congratulations on finally getting your SAI! 25 days is actually pretty reasonable given what everyone else has shared here. This whole thread has been super helpful for understanding the current FAFSA timeline - it's clear the system is overwhelmed but most people are getting processed within 3-4 weeks if there are no verification issues. Thanks to everyone who shared their experiences and tips, especially about checking spam folders and using services like Claimyr when the phone lines are impossible. Really valuable info for anyone going through this stressful process!