FAFSA identity verification nightmare - can't reach anyone at FSA

Yep same here!!! Been trying for WEEKS to reach someone. The identity verification system is a joke. I uploaded my passport and still got rejected. No explanation why.

Unfortunately, the identity verification issues are extremely common this year with the new FAFSA system. There are a few technical things to try: 1. Make sure the name on your ID EXACTLY matches what's in the FAFSA system - even middle initials matter 2. Try uploading your ID during non-peak hours (very early morning) 3. If you have any hyphenated names or apostrophes, those can cause system errors As for reaching someone, I found success by calling right when they open at 8am Eastern time on Tuesdays or Wednesdays (weekends and Mondays are the worst). Ask specifically for the Identity Verification department when you finally get through.

After fighting this same battle for almost a month, I finally found a solution. I used Claimyr to get through to an actual FAFSA agent. It's a service that waits on hold for you and calls when a real person answers. Totally worth it after wasting hours of my life on hold. I showed the agent my ID verification issues in real-time and they manually verified me. Check out their site at claimyr.com or watch how it works: https://youtu.be/TbC8dZQWYNQ

THE WHOLE SYSTEM IS DELIBERATELY BROKEN!!! They don't WANT parents to be able to complete the FAFSA because then they'd have to give out more financial aid! I've been dealing with this exact issue for both my kids and wasted THIRTY HOURS trying to get it resolved. The identity verification is just one more hoop they make us jump through. And did you notice they changed all the SAI calculations this year too? My older kid qualified for way more last year than my younger one is getting this year with basically identical finances. It's all a scam.

Just wanted to update: I FINALLY got through this morning! I called right at 8am as suggested and only waited 45 minutes. The agent confirmed the middle initial mismatch was causing the verification problem. She was able to override the system and approve my identity. For anyone else struggling with this, definitely try calling right when they open, and make sure ALL your information matches EXACTLY what's on your ID.

This happened with my son's application too. What finally worked was having my son (the student) call instead of me (the parent). For some reason, when he called about the parent verification issues, he got through faster and they were more helpful. Worth a try if you're still stuck!

I work at a university financial aid office, and unfortunately we're seeing this issue with about 30% of our applicants this year. The new FAFSA system has significant technical problems. Here's what I recommend to parents facing identity verification issues: 1. Take screenshots of every error message 2. Document all attempts to contact FSA 3. Contact your student's college financial aid office directly and ask if they can submit a system workaround request on your behalf 4. If your student has a deadline approaching, ask the college for a FAFSA extension due to documented technical issues Most schools are aware of these problems and have procedures to help students affected by FAFSA technical issues. We can often provide provisional aid packages while verification issues are being resolved.

I'm going through this exact same nightmare right now! My son's FAFSA has been stuck in identity verification limbo for over 3 weeks. I've uploaded my driver's license 4 times, tried my passport twice, and even submitted a utility bill for address verification. Nothing works! The system keeps giving me vague error messages like "unable to verify identity" with zero explanation of what's actually wrong. I'm calling FSA every single day and either get disconnected after hours on hold or transferred between departments that can't help. This is beyond frustrating when college deadlines are approaching fast. How is this acceptable for a federal system that millions of families depend on?

I'm dealing with this same identity verification hell right now! Been stuck for 2 weeks and counting. What's really frustrating is that the error messages are so vague - just "unable to verify identity" with no specifics about what's wrong. I've tried uploading different file formats, different browsers, clearing cache, everything I can think of. The worst part is knowing my kid's financial aid is hanging in the balance while this broken system wastes everyone's time. Thanks for sharing your experience - at least now I know to check the exact name formatting and try calling at 8am sharp. This thread gives me some hope that there's actually a light at the end of this tunnel!

This whole thread is so validating - I thought I was losing my mind! I've been fighting the same identity verification issue for my daughter's FAFSA for over a month now. What really gets me is how the system worked perfectly fine for years, and now suddenly this "upgraded" version is a complete disaster. I've tried everything mentioned here - different file formats, exact name matching, calling at different times. The 8am calling tip is gold though, I'm definitely trying that tomorrow. It's honestly criminal that they rolled out such a broken system when millions of families are depending on it for their kids' education. Thank you everyone for sharing your experiences and solutions - at least we're not suffering alone in this bureaucratic nightmare!

I'm a newcomer here but unfortunately joining this conversation because I'm dealing with the exact same identity verification nightmare! My son's FAFSA has been stuck for over 2 weeks now. Reading through all these experiences is both helpful and terrifying - I had no idea this was such a widespread issue with the new system. I'm going to try the 8am calling strategy mentioned here and double-check that my name formatting matches exactly. It's absolutely ridiculous that families have to jump through these hoops and waste countless hours just to apply for financial aid. Thank you to everyone who shared their solutions and tips - this thread is more useful than anything I've found on the official FSA website!

I'm unfortunately joining this nightmare club too! My daughter's FAFSA has been stuck in identity verification hell for 3 weeks now. I've uploaded my driver's license, passport, and even tried my state ID - nothing works. The system just keeps giving me the same useless "unable to verify identity" message with zero explanation. I've probably spent 40+ hours on hold with FSA, only to get disconnected or transferred to someone who can't actually help. Reading through everyone's experiences here gives me hope that I'm not going crazy and that there are actual solutions. I'm definitely trying the 8am calling strategy tomorrow and will double-check my name formatting matches exactly. It's absolutely insane that a federal system can be this broken when families are depending on it for their kids' futures. Thank you all for sharing your tips and letting me know I'm not alone in this bureaucratic disaster!