FAFSA priority deadlines confusion - submitted in January but need to add schools

colleges use the date u add them not when u first submitted. my brother had this happen last yr and missed the priority at UMass cuz of it. really sucks they dont look at original submission date

Financial aid advisor here. Most (not all) colleges will use the date they RECEIVE your FAFSA information, not your original submission date. However, many schools understand the delays with this year's application cycle and have been more flexible with their priority deadlines. My advice: 1. Contact the financial aid offices at each school you're planning to add and explain your situation 2. Ask specifically about their policy for the 2025-2026 FAFSA delays 3. Get documentation (screenshot) of your January submission date as evidence 4. Request a deadline extension if needed Many schools have adjusted their policies this year specifically because of these processing issues.

i'm in the EXACT same boat!! submitted Jan 3rd and still processing. called FSA like 20 times and can't even get through 😡 this whole new FAFSA is a complete disaster

From experience with the financial aid system (3 kids through college), I can tell you that different schools handle this differently. Some schools will honor your original submission date if you can prove it, while others strictly use the date they receive your information. That's why contacting each school individually is crucial. Also, don't panic about missing priority deadlines. Priority doesn't mean you get zero aid after that date - it just means those who met the deadline are considered first. Schools still have aid available after priority deadlines pass. One more tip: Get the name and email of every financial aid person you speak with. Having that paper trail can save you if there are disputes later about what you were told.

The whole system is BROKEN!!! Been dealing with this for months. They rush out a new FAFSA system that doesn't work, then blame students when we can't meet deadlines?? My daughter might lose her spot at her dream school because of this garbage. The incompetence is STAGGERING.

Here's what I can tell you from the school side (I work in financial aid): 1. Most institutions ARE being flexible with deadlines this year due to the nationwide FAFSA processing delays 2. For priority deadlines specifically, many schools are looking at the original FAFSA submission date IF you contact them and explain 3. The Department of Education has issued guidance to schools encouraging flexibility Most importantly, you need to document everything. Take screenshots of your submitted FAFSA from January showing the date. When you call schools, get names, reference numbers, and follow up with emails summarizing the conversation. This documentation will be crucial if you need to appeal aid decisions later.

I just went through this exact situation last month! After many frustrating attempts, I finally reached an FSA agent who was able to expedite my application processing due to approaching deadlines. Once my application was processed, I immediately contacted all my schools with proof of my original submission date, and 4 out of 5 schools honored the original date for priority consideration. The key was persistence and documentation. I kept detailed notes of every interaction with both FSA and the schools. In one case, I had to speak with a supervisor to get an exception made, but it worked! Don't give up - the squeaky wheel gets the grease in these situations.

ok but important question - doesnt the SAI score get calculated when u first submit? so even if schools use later date for adding them, your aid eligibility should be based on that january submission right? im confused about how this all works tbh

For everyone dealing with this issue, I recommend taking these specific steps: 1. Call each school's financial aid office (not admissions) and ask to speak with a financial aid counselor about FAFSA processing delays 2. Be prepared with: - Your original FAFSA submission date (with screenshot if possible) - Your FAFSA confirmation number - Any documentation of attempts to resolve the issue 3. Specifically ask: - "Will you honor my original FAFSA submission date for priority consideration?" - "What documentation do you need from me to verify my original submission?" - "If I miss the priority deadline due to processing delays, how will this affect my aid package?" - "Is there a specific appeal process for circumstances like this?" 4. Follow up every phone conversation with an email summary to create a paper trail Most schools understand this year's challenges and are making accommodations. Just make sure you're proactive and thorough in your communication.

I'm going through this exact same nightmare! Submitted my FAFSA on January 8th and it's STILL processing. What's really frustrating is that I called one school last week and they told me they'd honor my original submission date, but another school said they could only consider the date when they actually receive my FAFSA data. So it's definitely inconsistent between institutions. One thing that helped me was creating a spreadsheet to track all my communications - school name, person I spoke with, date, what they told me, and their email. It's been a lifesaver for keeping everything organized since I'm dealing with 8 different schools. Also found out that some schools have internal deadlines that are different from their published priority deadlines specifically because of this year's FAFSA mess. Definitely worth asking about when you call!