FAFSA parent login stuck on 'Confirm Information' page since May - need Parent PLUS loan urgently
I've been trying to apply for a Parent PLUS loan through studentaid.gov since May 1st with no success. Every time I get to the 'Confirm Your Information' page (step 2 of 2), I get: "An unknown error has occurred. Please try again later or close all browser windows and start over." This has been going on for MONTHS! I've called FAFSA support countless times and spoken to different reps who just keep giving me new things to try: - Used multiple browsers (Chrome, Edge, Safari, Firefox) - Tried different devices (laptop, desktop, iPad, iPhone) - Used incognito mode - Deleted my address and entered different addresses/states/zip codes - Went to public libraries to use their computers Nothing works! The technical support team admits they know about this 'glitch' but say only the developers can fix it. They just tell me to "keep trying every day" - are you kidding me?? My daughter can't register for next semester because I haven't been able to pay THIS semester without the Parent PLUS loan. I called her university's Bursar office but they said it's not their problem. FAFSA won't let me print or get a paper copy of the application either. I'm desperate for solutions. How can FAFSA know about this problem for months and not fix it? Has anyone else experienced this error and found a way around it?
28 comments


JacksonHarris
This is unfortunately a known issue with the latest FAFSA system update. I've helped several families through similar problems. Try this workaround that has worked for others: 1. Clear your browser cache completely (not just cookies) 2. Use a private/incognito window 3. Log in using your FSA ID but instead of going directly to the Parent PLUS application, first go to "My Aid" section 4. Then navigate to "Apply for Aid" from there 5. Start the Parent PLUS application from that path instead This bypasses the confirmation page glitch for many people. If that doesn't work, try logging in between 1-5am when server traffic is lowest - the error sometimes only happens during high traffic periods.
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Ella Thompson
•Thank you so much for these specific steps! I've tried clearing cache before but not the exact path you suggested. I'll try this tonight - even at 3am if I have to. I'm desperate enough to try anything at this point. Really appreciate the help!
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Jeremiah Brown
OMG I HAD THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM!!!! For THREE WEEKS I kept getting that stupid error message! I finally got through by using my neighbor's internet connection (seriously). Something about my home network was triggering their security system. Try using a completely different internet connection - like a coffee shop or friend's house that you haven't tried before. It worked for me on the first try after all that frustration!!
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Royal_GM_Mark
•thats so weird lol. why would ur internet connection matter for a website? sounds like the fafsa site just has terrible programming tbh
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Jeremiah Brown
•I KNOW RIGHT?? The rep I finally got through to said something about IP addresses getting flagged in their security system? I don't understand the technical stuff, I just know it finally worked! SO WEIRD.
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Amelia Cartwright
If you've been trying for this long, there's a better way to reach an actual FSA agent who can help. I was stuck with the exact same error for weeks and couldn't get real help until I used Claimyr.com to get through to someone who actually knew what they were doing. I watched their demo video (https://youtu.be/TbC8dZQWYNQ) and within an hour I had a knowledgeable agent working on my case. They manually processed my Parent PLUS application after verifying my identity. Saved me weeks of frustration!
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Ella Thompson
•I've never heard of this service before. Does it actually work? I've spent hours on hold only to get disconnected or talk to reps who can't help.
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Amelia Cartwright
•Yes, it definitely works! Instead of calling and waiting forever, their system holds your place in line and calls you when an agent is ready. The agent I got was able to submit an internal ticket to override the error. My application was processed within 48 hours after that call.
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Chris King
Have you tried the mobile app instead of the website? Sometimes the app bypasses whatever is causing these errors on the main site. Also, the Parent PLUS loan application can actually be completed by your daughter initiating it from her account, then it sends you an email to complete your portion. This worked for us when my husband's account had similar issues.
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Ella Thompson
•Wait, my daughter can start the Parent PLUS application from her account? I had no idea! The FAFSA reps never mentioned this option. I'll have her try it tonight. Thank you!!
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Rachel Clark
the whole fafsa system is garbage this year. my moms been trying to do my stuff since february and we're still dealing with verification issues. try contacting your congress person seriously. my mom emailed our representative and suddenly fafsa was calling US back within 2 days. worth trying when nothing else works
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Zachary Hughes
•This is actually excellent advice. Government agencies tend to respond quickly when a congressional office inquires about constituent issues. Most representatives have caseworkers specifically for education issues who can escalate your case. The technical error you're experiencing might require higher-level intervention than regular customer service can provide.
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Royal_GM_Mark
have you tried using a vpn? sometimes websites have weird region restrictions. also check if your popup blocker is on, the fafsa site uses a ton of popups and it might be blocking something important
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Ella Thompson
•I haven't tried a VPN yet - that's a good idea. And I'll check the popup blocker settings too. It's crazy how many little technical things could be causing this!
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Zachary Hughes
I work in financial aid and have seen this issue frequently with the new FAFSA system. Two alternative approaches that might help: 1. Your daughter's school financial aid office can actually initiate a Parent PLUS loan on your behalf using what's called an "origination record" - they submit it directly to the Department of Education without you going through the website. Many schools are doing this because of these exact technical issues. 2. Instead of a Parent PLUS loan, consider having your daughter take additional unsubsidized Direct loans. When a parent is denied for PLUS, the student becomes eligible for increased unsubsidized loan amounts (an additional $4,000-$5,000 depending on year in school). I'd recommend contacting her financial aid office again, but specifically ask to speak with a financial aid counselor (not the front desk) and explain your technical issues with the PLUS loan application. They absolutely CAN help with this and should be more proactive.
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Ella Thompson
•This is incredibly helpful information! I spoke with someone at the Bursar's office, not Financial Aid - that was probably my mistake. I'll call the Financial Aid office tomorrow and ask specifically about the "origination record" option. Thank you so much for these alternatives!
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Zachary Hughes
•Yes, the Bursar and Financial Aid are completely different offices with different functions. Bursar handles billing, but Financial Aid handles all loan processing. Definitely speak with a Financial Aid counselor - they're your best resource in this situation and deal with these FAFSA system issues daily. Good luck!
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Jeremiah Brown
Did you try making a brand new FSA ID account? My sister had a similar problem and the FAFSA people told her there was corruption in her account data that they couldn't fix. She made a completely new FSA ID with a different email address and it worked immediately. Worth a shot when you're this desperate!
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Ella Thompson
•I'm definitely desperate enough to try this! I was worried about creating a new FSA ID since my tax info and everything is linked to my current one, but maybe it's worth starting fresh. Did your sister have any issues with her previous FAFSA information after making a new account?
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Jeremiah Brown
•She had to re-enter everything but it actually processed faster than all the time she spent trying to fix the old account! Just make sure to use a completely different email address and phone number if possible. Good luck!!
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QuantumLeap
I'm so sorry you're going through this nightmare - I can't imagine the stress of dealing with this for months while your daughter's education is on hold! I've been lurking in this community for a while but had to create an account to respond because I went through something very similar last year. One thing that finally worked for me that I haven't seen mentioned yet: Try accessing the site using Microsoft Edge in Internet Explorer mode. I know it sounds random, but apparently the FAFSA site still has some compatibility issues with newer browser versions that IE mode can bypass. You can enable it in Edge settings under "Default browser" and then navigate to studentaid.gov. Also, if you haven't already, document EVERYTHING - dates you called, reference numbers, names of reps you spoke with. When I finally got through to a supervisor (after threatening to file a complaint with the Department of Education), having all that documentation helped them escalate my case to their technical team who manually processed my application within 24 hours. Keep pushing - this isn't your fault and you shouldn't have to deal with a broken system when your family's financial future is at stake!
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Klaus Schmidt
•Thank you so much for taking the time to create an account just to help! I really appreciate it. I'll definitely try the Internet Explorer mode in Edge - I never would have thought of that. And you're absolutely right about documenting everything. I've been keeping notes but not as detailed as I should. I'm going to start writing down every single call with reference numbers and rep names. The idea of threatening to file a complaint with the Department of Education is something I hadn't considered either. At this point I'm willing to do whatever it takes. Thank you for the encouragement - it really helps to know I'm not alone in this!
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Maya Lewis
I'm a newcomer here but had to share what worked for my family after months of the same exact error! We tried everything everyone mentioned above, but what finally got us through was a combination approach: 1. First, I contacted my state's Department of Higher Education - they have direct lines to federal student aid and can often escalate technical issues faster than going through regular FAFSA support. 2. While waiting for that escalation, I had my son (the student) log into his studentaid.gov account and request the Parent PLUS loan from HIS end. This created a different pathway that bypassed whatever was corrupting my parent login. 3. When I got the email notification to complete my portion, I used a completely clean browser setup - new user profile in Chrome, cleared everything, disabled ALL extensions, and accessed it through a VPN set to a different state. The whole thing went through in one try after 4 months of that same "unknown error" message! Also, don't let the school's financial aid office brush you off - if you mention you've been dealing with a documented FAFSA technical error for months, they should be offering alternative solutions like institutional loans or payment plans while you sort this out. Your daughter's education shouldn't be held hostage by their broken website. Keep fighting - this system failure is not your fault and there ARE people who can help escalate it properly!
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Marcus Williams
•This is such a comprehensive approach - thank you for sharing! I'm going to try contacting my state's Department of Higher Education first thing Monday morning. I didn't even know that was an option! Having my daughter initiate the Parent PLUS request from her end is brilliant too - creates a whole different pathway like you said. The VPN with a different state location is something I hadn't thought of either. I'm feeling more hopeful than I have in months with all these specific strategies. And you're absolutely right about not letting the financial aid office brush me off - I'm going to be much more assertive about getting alternative solutions while this gets sorted out. Thank you for the encouragement and for fighting through this yourself to help others!
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Amara Nnamani
I'm new to this community but had to join after reading your post because I went through this EXACT same nightmare last year! The "Confirm Your Information" error plagued me for over 2 months and I was pulling my hair out. What finally worked for me was a combination of several things people mentioned here, but with one crucial addition: I had to get my daughter's school to submit what's called a "manual override request" to the Department of Education while simultaneously working the technical angle. Here's my step-by-step solution that worked: **Technical Side:** - Used my daughter's student account to initiate the Parent PLUS request (as others mentioned) - Accessed it through a VPN set to a different geographic region - Used Edge browser in IE compatibility mode during off-peak hours (2-4 AM) **Administrative Side:** - Had the school's financial aid office submit a manual override request citing "persistent technical errors preventing parent access" - Got documentation from FAFSA support acknowledging the known system bug (took 3 escalated calls but they finally admitted it in writing) The key was attacking it from both angles simultaneously. The school's override request created pressure on the system while the technical workarounds gave me alternative pathways to try. Also, demand to speak to a "Tier 2" technical support agent when you call FAFSA - regular reps can't do much, but Tier 2 can actually submit internal tickets to bypass these errors. You have to specifically ask for escalation to Tier 2. Don't give up - this is 100% their system failure, not anything you did wrong!
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Noah Ali
•This is exactly what I needed to hear! Having both a technical AND administrative approach makes so much sense - I've been focusing only on the technical side. I had no idea schools could submit "manual override requests" or that there were Tier 2 support agents who could actually do something beyond telling me to "keep trying." Getting written documentation that they acknowledge the bug is genius too. I'm going to call first thing Monday morning and specifically ask for Tier 2 escalation, then contact my daughter's financial aid office about submitting that override request. Thank you for being so detailed about what actually worked - this gives me a real action plan instead of just throwing random solutions at the wall!
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Ella Russell
I'm new here but created an account specifically to help after reading your story - this is absolutely maddening and you shouldn't have to deal with a broken system for this long! I had a very similar issue earlier this year, though not quite as prolonged as yours. What finally got me through was a two-pronged approach that I haven't seen fully explained yet: **First - Create a "Clean Slate" Environment:** - Use a device/network you've NEVER tried the FAFSA site on before (borrow a friend's laptop, go to a different library, etc.) - Create a completely fresh browser profile (not just incognito - an entirely new user profile) - Turn off ALL browser extensions and plugins - Make sure your system clock/timezone is correct (sounds weird but it can cause authentication issues) **Second - Use the "Back Door" Method:** Instead of going directly to the Parent PLUS application, try this path: 1. Log into your FSA ID 2. Go to "My Aid" first 3. Look for "Request Additional Aid" or "Apply for Parent Loan" 4. This sometimes bypasses the corrupted confirmation page entirely **Third - Timing is EVERYTHING:** The error seems to be server-load related. Try between 12 AM - 6 AM EST when traffic is lowest. I know it's crazy to wake up at 3 AM for this, but desperate times... Also, when you call support, immediately ask: "Can you check if my SSN/account has been flagged in your security system?" Sometimes accounts get falsely flagged and regular reps don't think to check this. You're not crazy, this system IS broken, and you're doing everything right. Keep fighting!
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Aisha Hussain
•Thank you so much for creating an account just to help - this community is amazing! The "clean slate" approach with a completely fresh device/network is something I haven't tried yet. I've been so focused on trying different browsers on my own devices that I didn't think about the network itself potentially being flagged. The "back door" method through "My Aid" first is also a great tip - I've always gone straight to the Parent PLUS application. And asking about my SSN being flagged in their security system is brilliant - that could explain why this has been going on for so long! I'm definitely willing to try the 3 AM approach at this point. Thank you for the detailed steps and the encouragement - it really helps to know others have gotten through this nightmare!
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