FAFSA login showing 'unknown error' message - anyone else locked out?

ya same here since yesterday. probably site maintenance or smthing

I had this exact issue last week. The problem turned out to be that I had used the same FSA ID to log in from multiple IP addresses (home, school, and mobile) which triggered their security system. What fixed it for me was: 1. Use a private browsing/incognito window 2. Clear ALL browser data (not just cookies) 3. Reset my FSA ID password 4. Wait 30 minutes before trying again After doing this, I was able to get back in and finish submitting my SAI calculation for my grants. Hope this helps!

This happened to me right when I was trying to add my parents' W-2 information for my dependency verification. What worked for me was logging in using a completely different device that I'd never used before. My laptop wouldn't work but my roommate's computer did. Weird system, but worth trying if you have access to another computer.

This is actually a known issue right now affecting about 15% of FAFSA applicants according to the FSA helpline. The error typically happens when there's a mismatch between the information in your FSA ID profile and your application details, OR when the system is experiencing high traffic volumes. Your best options are: 1. Try logging in during off-peak hours (very early morning or late evening) 2. Make sure your browser accepts all cookies from studentaid.gov 3. Double-check that your name, DOB, and SSN exactly match across all your documents 4. If you're using a VPN, try disabling it If none of those work, you'll need to contact FSA directly to have them manually verify your identity and reset the security flags on your account.

My daughter had same exact problem!!! She kept getting error messages for THREE DAYS and then somehow got logged in yesterday morning but then when she uploaded her tax return for verification it CRASHED again!!!! Now she cant get back in!! This is SO FRUSTRATING when these kids are trying to get their college money and the website doesnt even work!!!!

I had this same problem when trying to complete my Parent PLUS loan application last week. After trying everything and wasting 3 days, I finally used this service called Claimyr to get through to an actual FSA agent on the phone (instead of waiting on hold forever). The agent was able to unlock my account immediately and explained it was a session token issue they've been seeing a lot lately. Check out their video demo at https://youtu.be/TbC8dZQWYNQ - it saved me from missing my school's financial aid deadline. Their website is claimyr.com if you need to talk to a real person at FSA.

UPDATE: I tried logging in at 2am like someone suggested and IT WORKED! I was able to get in and finish my application. For anyone else having this issue, definitely try during off-peak hours. Thanks everyone for your help!

I'm dealing with the same issue right now! Been locked out for 2 days trying to submit my FAFSA corrections. I noticed the error happens right after I enter my FSA ID credentials too. Based on what everyone's saying here, I'm going to try the late night login approach first, then maybe clear all my browser data and try a different device if that doesn't work. Really appreciate everyone sharing their solutions - it's reassuring to know it's not just me and that there are actual fixes that work!

I'm having the exact same problem! Started three days ago when I was trying to update my contact information after moving. The "unknown error" message appears right after I enter my FSA ID, just like everyone else is describing. I've tried different browsers and devices but no luck. Reading through all these responses is actually really helpful - I had no idea this was affecting so many people. I'm definitely going to try the late night login approach tonight around 2am since that worked for Taylor. If that doesn't work, I'll try the password reset method that Ezra mentioned. My school's priority deadline is next week so I'm getting pretty anxious about this. Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences and solutions!

I've been struggling with this exact same error for the past week! It's been so frustrating trying to complete my FAFSA renewal and hitting that "unknown error" wall every single time. Reading through everyone's solutions here gives me hope though. I'm planning to try the combination approach tonight - logging in around 1-2am AND using a completely fresh browser session with all data cleared. Has anyone noticed if certain browsers work better than others during these off-peak hours? I've been primarily using Chrome but wondering if Firefox or Safari might have better luck with their system. My state grant deadline is in 10 days so I really need to get this sorted out soon. Thanks to everyone who's shared what worked for them - this community is a lifesaver when the official support channels are so backed up!

I'm dealing with this exact same issue right now! Been trying to log in for the past 3 days to submit my verification documents and keep getting that "unknown error" message right after entering my FSA ID. It's so frustrating because my school's financial aid office keeps asking for updates and I can't even get into the system. Reading through all these solutions is really helpful though - I had no idea so many people were experiencing this. I'm definitely going to try the late night login approach tonight around 2am like Taylor suggested, and if that doesn't work I'll try the full browser reset and password change method that Ezra outlined. My deadline is coming up fast too so fingers crossed one of these solutions works! Thanks everyone for sharing what worked for you instead of just venting - this thread is way more helpful than the official FSA support right now.

I've been having this exact same problem for the past 5 days! Started when I was trying to update my school list after getting accepted to a few more colleges. The "unknown error" keeps popping up right after I enter my FSA ID credentials, just like everyone else is describing. I've tried everything - different browsers, clearing cache, even borrowed my friend's laptop but still getting locked out. This thread is honestly a lifesaver because I was starting to think my account was permanently broken or something. I'm definitely going to try the 2am login approach tonight based on Taylor's success, and if that doesn't work I'll do the full password reset and wait 30 minutes like Ezra suggested. My priority filing deadline is in two weeks so I still have some time, but the stress is real! Thanks to everyone who shared actual solutions instead of just complaining - you all are amazing and giving me hope that this is fixable!

I'm experiencing the exact same issue! Been locked out for 4 days now trying to submit my income verification documents. The "unknown error" message appears right after I enter my FSA ID, just like everyone else here. It's actually really comforting to know this is a widespread problem and not just my account being broken. I've tried different browsers and devices with no luck, but reading through all these solutions gives me hope. I'm definitely going to try the late night login approach around 2am tonight since that worked for Taylor, and if that fails I'll do the full password reset method that Ezra outlined. My school's priority deadline is next Friday so I'm cutting it close, but at least now I have actual strategies to try instead of just randomly attempting to log in throughout the day. Thanks everyone for sharing what worked - this thread is way more helpful than the official FSA support right now!

I'm having this exact same issue! Been trying to log in for the past 2 days to complete my SAI information and keep getting that "unknown error" message right after entering my FSA ID. It's so reassuring to read through everyone's experiences and see that this is a widespread problem with actual working solutions. I'm definitely going to try the late night approach tonight around 2am since that worked for Taylor and several others. If that doesn't work, I'll try the full browser reset and password change method that Ezra suggested. My state aid deadline is coming up in about 10 days, so I have a little time but definitely feeling the pressure. Thanks everyone for sharing what actually worked instead of just complaining - this thread has been more helpful than hours of trying to reach FSA support!

I'm experiencing the exact same problem! Been locked out for the past 3 days trying to complete my parent tax information section. That "unknown error" message pops up right after I enter my FSA ID, just like everyone else is describing. It's actually really reassuring to see this is such a widespread issue with proven solutions rather than just my account being broken. I'm definitely going to try the late night login approach around 2am tonight since it worked so well for Taylor and others. If that doesn't work, I'll do the full password reset and 30-minute wait method that Ezra outlined. My school's financial aid deadline is in 12 days so I have a bit of breathing room, but the stress is definitely real! This thread has been way more helpful than trying to get through to FSA support. Thanks everyone for sharing actual working solutions instead of just venting - you're all lifesavers!

I'm having this exact same issue! Been locked out for 6 days now trying to complete my student tax information verification. The "unknown error" appears right after I enter my FSA ID credentials, just like everyone else here. This thread is honestly such a relief to find - I was starting to think there was something permanently wrong with my account. Reading through all the solutions you've all shared gives me so much hope! I'm definitely going to try the 2am login approach tonight since it worked for Taylor and so many others. If that doesn't work, I'll try the full password reset and 30-minute wait method that Ezra outlined. My priority filing deadline is coming up in just 5 days so I'm really feeling the pressure, but at least now I have actual proven strategies to try instead of just randomly attempting to log in throughout the day. Thanks everyone for sharing what actually worked rather than just complaining - this community support has been more helpful than hours on hold with FSA support!