FAFSA application stuck in 'review' since January - schools can't see SAI & DRN

same. my sons been waiting since feb 12. still nothing. system is broken this year

There are definitely widespread delays with the 2025-2026 FAFSA processing. From what I understand, the Department of Education made significant changes to the calculation system this year, which has caused a backlog. Here's what I'd recommend: 1. For your daughter's application (since January), you should request an urgent status update. Schools have some flexibility with deadlines when there are system-wide issues like this. 2. For your son, the DRN (Data Release Number) should be on his FAFSA confirmation page or confirmation email. If you didn't save it, unfortunately you'll need to reach a Federal Student Aid representative. 3. Neither SAI will show until processing is complete, but schools can sometimes work with provisional information while waiting for official numbers. Have you checked if either child qualifies for professional judgment review based on any recent financial changes? That's another avenue some families are exploring during these delays.

MY DAUGHTER'S WAS STUCK TOO!! Been waiting 9 weeks!! Apparently the new simplified FAFSA is anything BUT simplified. The college financial aid officer told me they're seeing TONS of applications stuck in processing limbo. Some kind of glitch with the new system they rolled out.

The Professional Judgment review the previous commenter mentioned is when a financial aid administrator can adjust your FAFSA information based on unusual circumstances. A 15% income reduction might qualify! You'd need to contact each school's financial aid office directly to request this. Regarding the processing delays - I waited 11 weeks before my son's SAI finally appeared. The system is definitely experiencing unprecedented delays this cycle. For the DRN issue - if you created an FSA ID for your son, you might be able to view the DRN by logging into studentaid.gov with his credentials (not yours), going to "My Documents," and looking for the FAFSA confirmation. Though in my experience, recently submitted applications aren't showing confirmation documents either due to the backlog.

I finally got through to a Federal Student Aid agent after weeks of trying! Used a service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that basically holds your place in line and calls you when an agent is available. Saved me HOURS of being on hold. They have a video demo at https://youtu.be/TbC8dZQWYNQ that shows how it works. The agent confirmed they're dealing with a system-wide backlog and suggested emailing the schools explaining the situation. They can override some of the verification requirements since they know the FAFSA system is delayed. The agent was also able to give me the DRN numbers for both my kids' applications over the phone.

As a financial aid advisor, I want to clarify a few things: 1. The FAFSA delays are affecting EVERYONE - this isn't just happening to you. Every college across the country is dealing with this right now. 2. Most schools have extended their financial aid deadlines because of this. If your son's May 1st decision deadline is approaching, contact the school immediately and ask for an extension due to FAFSA processing delays. Many institutions are being flexible. 3. For the DRN - if you can't find it and can't reach Federal Student Aid, your son's school can sometimes help obtain this information through their institutional access. 4. Regarding the SAI (Student Aid Index) - this is calculated based on your FAFSA data and won't be visible until processing completes. Schools need this to create aid packages. These delays are frustrating for everyone involved. Document all your attempts to resolve this issue (dates you called, emails to schools, etc.) as this may help if you need to appeal deadlines or decisions later.

I JUST GOT OFF THE PHONE with studentaid.gov after using that Claimyr thing someone mentioned above and the agent told me that if your application has been in review for more than 6 weeks you should submit a case to the FSA Feedback Center (studentaid.gov/feedback-center/). Apparently this flags your application for expedited processing! My daughter's application was stuck since February 2nd and the agent said this should bump it through the system faster. Worth a try!

Just a quick update - my son's application that had been stuck since January finally processed yesterday! The SAI and DRN are now visible in his studentaid.gov account. It seems like they might be starting to work through the backlog. One thing that helped us was having the financial aid office at his top-choice school submit an official request for his FAFSA information. The financial aid counselor told me they have a special channel to request expedited processing for students approaching decision deadlines. Might be worth asking your kids' schools if they can do something similar. They have more leverage with the Department of Education than we do as individuals.

UPDATE: I'm making progress! Following everyone's advice: 1. I've submitted a case through the FSA Feedback Center 2. Both schools have granted an extension on the May 1st deadline 3. I used Claimyr and actually got through to someone who confirmed my daughter's application should complete processing within 7-10 days 4. For my son, they gave me his DRN over the phone which I've provided to his school The financial aid officer also confirmed what many of you said - they're experiencing unprecedented delays with the new FAFSA system. She mentioned they can create a preliminary aid package based on the information we've already provided while waiting for the official SAI. Thank you all for your help and suggestions! This has been incredibly stressful, but I feel like we're finally making progress.