FAFSA approved then got IRS tax info request email - site down for maintenance?

This happened to me too last month! don't worry too much, it's just the system doing an automated verification. sometimes they do random checks even after initial approval. the site goes down for maintenance pretty regularly lately 🙄

This is actually completely normal for the 2024-2025 FAFSA cycle. With the FAFSA Simplification Act, the Department of Education is now doing direct data sharing with the IRS, so this email is just confirming that they're pulling your tax information directly. It doesn't mean anything is wrong or that your application is being re-reviewed. The timing is a bit unusual since you already received an aid offer, but this could be part of their backend verification process. Nothing to worry about as long as the information you provided matches your tax returns.

The maintenance downtime varies but is usually just a few hours. They typically schedule it during overnight hours but sometimes it extends longer, especially if they're implementing system updates related to the new FAFSA process. Regarding your situation - this is part of the new continuous verification system. Even after initial processing, the Department of Education is running periodic verification checks throughout the aid cycle. It's possible this is just a routine data verification that won't affect your SAI or aid package at all. However, if there are discrepancies between the income information you provided and what the IRS shows, you might receive a notification about updates to your application. Have you used the IRS Data Retrieval Tool when you initially submitted the FAFSA?

i got this EXACT same email yesterday!!! site's been down for me too so i cant check anything. called the number like 20 times but keeps saying high call volume and disconnects me 😡

Just chiming in to say what everyone else is saying - this is normal. DON'T PANIC! The Department of Education is literally doing millions of these verifications because of the new system. They're overwhelmed and things are a bit messy this year. But here's something important you should know - if there is a change to your SAI after this verification, the school is NOT obligated to adjust your financial aid package that they've already offered you. Many schools consider the first aid offer binding, especially if you've already accepted it. The downside is that if your SAI goes DOWN (meaning you'd qualify for MORE aid), the school might not increase your package. The upside is if your SAI goes UP, they likely won't decrease what they've already offered you either.

Yes, if you're happy with the offer and your daughter has decided on that school, I would accept it now. Once accepted, the school is much less likely to change the package even if your FAFSA data gets adjusted. Just make sure you read all the fine print in the offer letter - some schools do include language about the offer being contingent on verified FAFSA data.

ok everyone keeps saying this is normal but MY COUSINS FAFSA got totally rejected after getting one of these emails!!!! they had already gotten a big aid package from State and then after this "verification" their SAI went up by like $8000 and they lost a grant!!!

Update: site is back up for me now. you might wanna check yours