FAFSA browser compatibility issues - Chrome vs Firefox vs Edge for successful account creation
I've spent the last THREE DAYS trying to create a StudentAid.gov account to start my FAFSA application and I'm about to lose my mind! First tried Chrome (my usual browser) and kept getting error messages after entering all my info. Then tried Firefox and the verification code would never arrive to my email. I'm desperate to get this done since the priority deadline for my state is coming up soon. Has anyone successfully created an account recently? Is there a specific browser that actually works with the FAFSA site? I've cleared cache, disabled extensions, everything. What am I missing here??
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Sean Flanagan
I had the exact same problem last month! The FAFSA site is notoriously finicky with browsers. Edge actually worked for me when Chrome and Firefox both failed. Something about how Edge handles the security protocols on their site seems more compatible. Make sure you're using the latest version and try during off-peak hours (early morning worked for me).
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Anastasia Kozlov
•Thanks! I hadn't tried Edge yet. Will download it tonight and try tomorrow morning. Did you have any issues once your account was created or just during the setup process?
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Zara Mirza
omg the FAFSA site is THE WORST!! i tried 5 different times and kept getting errors. chrome worked for me but only after i turned off my vpn and made sure i wasnt using any password managers to autofill stuff. good luck!
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Anastasia Kozlov
•I do use a password manager! I didn't even think about that being the issue. Will try turning it off. Thank you!
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NebulaNinja
For the 2025-2026 FAFSA, the Department of Education has been having significant technical issues with their account creation system. Some key points to ensure success: 1. Use Microsoft Edge or Safari (these currently have the highest success rates) 2. Disable all browser extensions completely 3. Use a wired connection rather than WiFi if possible 4. Try between 5-8 AM Eastern time when server load is lowest 5. Enter your SSN without dashes or spaces 6. Use a personal email rather than a school (.edu) email for verification 7. Wait at least 24 hours between failed attempts The verification code emails can sometimes take 30+ minutes to arrive, so don't close the browser window while waiting.
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Anastasia Kozlov
•Thank you for such detailed advice! I didn't realize the time of day could matter, but it makes sense with server load. I've been using my school email so I'll switch to Gmail. Is there anywhere official that confirms Edge/Safari work better? Just curious if FSA has acknowledged these issues.
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NebulaNinja
•The FSA hasn't officially endorsed specific browsers, but their technical support staff have been informally recommending Edge and Safari based on fewer reported issues. If you continue having problems after trying all these steps, you might want to call their technical support line directly for personalized troubleshooting.
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Luca Russo
Am I the only one who thinks it's RIDICULOUS that in 2025 a government website doesn't work on all major browsers?? This is literally stopping people from getting financial aid! My daughter missed out on thousands in grants last year because of these stupid technical issues and everyone just acts like it's normal. "Oh just try a different browser teehee" NO FIX THE WEBSITE!!!!
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Nia Wilson
•Preach! I work in IT and there's absolutely no excuse for this. The FSA gets billions in funding and they can't make a website that works consistently? It's embarrassing.
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Mateo Sanchez
•While I understand the frustration, the site has to handle millions of applications with sensitive financial data. They're actually using some cutting-edge security protocols that not all browsers have fully implemented yet. The new SAI calculation system has added additional complexity. It's not ideal, but there are legitimate technical reasons behind some of these issues.
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Zara Mirza
i think my account got hacked cuz i tried to login yesterday and it said my password was wrong but i KNOW i used the right one!!! now im locked out completely. did this happen to anyone else??
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Sean Flanagan
•That doesn't necessarily mean you were hacked. The site sometimes resets passwords after system updates or if they detect unusual login patterns. Go through the account recovery process using your email and you should be able to reset it. If that doesn't work, you might need to contact them directly.
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Anastasia Kozlov
UPDATE: Success!! I followed the advice here and it worked! Here's what finally did it: 1. Used Microsoft Edge (fresh install) 2. Tried at 6:30am 3. Used my Gmail instead of school email 4. Turned off my password manager 5. Made sure no VPN was running The verification code arrived instantly and I was able to create my account! Now working on my actual FAFSA application. THANK YOU all for the help!
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NebulaNinja
•Excellent! Glad it worked for you. Just a tip for your actual FAFSA completion: the new SAI (Student Aid Index) calculation is more sensitive to retirement account contributions than the old EFC system was. Make sure you carefully review how you're reporting any retirement savings, especially if you or your parents made significant contributions in the base tax year.
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Zara Mirza
•yayyy congrats!! the hard part is done lol. the actual application is way easier than making the stupid account!
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Nia Wilson
My son had a similar issue but in his case it turns out his high school had the same name as another school in a different state, and somehow the system was getting confused between the two. We had to call FSA directly to get it sorted out. Sometimes these technical issues have weird underlying causes!
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Luca Russo
I'm still waiting on my SAI calculation from an application I submitted 3 weeks ago... anyone know how long it takes for those to come through? The site just says "processing" with no timeline.
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Mateo Sanchez
•The processing time for SAI calculations has increased to 3-4 weeks for the 2025-2026 cycle due to the new formula implementation. If you're approaching a critical deadline for your school, you can request expedited processing by calling FSA directly and explaining your situation. Just be prepared to wait on hold for quite a while.
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Nalani Liu
As someone who just went through this nightmare myself, I can totally relate to your frustration! The browser compatibility issues are real and it's honestly unacceptable for such an important government service. I ended up having success with a combination approach - cleared everything (cookies, cache, extensions) in Chrome, then switched to Edge as my backup. The key for me was also making sure I wasn't on my work VPN and using a personal email that wasn't associated with any educational institution. One thing I noticed is that the site seems to have better stability in the early morning hours (like 6-8 AM) when fewer people are hammering the servers. Also, don't give up if the verification email takes forever - mine took almost an hour to arrive one time. The whole system desperately needs an overhaul, but in the meantime these workarounds seem to help. Hope you get through to your account soon - the actual FAFSA form is much less painful once you're past the account creation hurdle!
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Zainab Khalil
•Thank you so much for sharing your experience! It's really reassuring to hear from someone who just went through the same thing. I'm definitely going to try the early morning approach - seems like multiple people have had success with that timing. The work VPN tip is super helpful too, I hadn't even considered that could be interfering. Really appreciate you taking the time to share all these details!
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