FAFSA processed but college can't access it - UW Parkside technical issues delaying financial aid
Just had the most frustrating call with my daughter's financial aid office at UW Parkside! They confirmed they've RECEIVED her 2025-2026 FAFSA information, but get this - they literally can't ACCESS it because their computer system isn't updated to handle the new FAFSA format! The financial aid person told me they're running 'tests' to fix their systems but nothing is working yet. And there are only TWO PEOPLE working in the entire financial aid department!? My daughter is going to be a junior next fall and we have no idea when her aid package will be available. Could be weeks, could be MONTHS according to them. How are we supposed to budget or make decisions? The lady couldn't even give me a timeline! Has anyone else's college mentioned system problems with the new FAFSA? I'm worried this will push everything back until mid-summer and we'll be scrambling at the last minute. This is so stressful! I don't understand why they weren't prepared for these changes when the FAFSA redesign was announced ages ago.
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Emma Thompson
I work in IT at a different university (not naming which one), and I can confirm this is happening at schools nationwide. The Department of Education changed the entire FAFSA system, including how SAI scores are calculated and transmitted to schools. Most college financial aid systems were built to integrate with the old format, and updating enterprise software isn't quick or easy. Many colleges are struggling to update their Student Information Systems to properly import and process the new FAFSA data. Some schools are further along than others, but almost everyone is behind schedule. Unfortunately, with only two staff members, UW Parkside will likely be slower than larger institutions with more resources.
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Javier Cruz
•That's helpful context, but still incredibly frustrating! How are families supposed to make financial decisions without knowing aid amounts? Do you have any inside knowledge on typical timelines for these system updates? Are we talking weeks or months here?
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Malik Jackson
same thing at Iowa State!!!! they told us 'processing delays' but wouldn't admit if it was their systems or what. my sons SO STRESSED because hes trying to decide between 2 schools and cant compare financial aid packages yet ugh
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Isabella Costa
•It's happening at nearly every school. My daughter's at UMN Twin Cities and they sent an email last week saying their systems are being updated to handle the 'new FAFSA data architecture' and aid packages will be delayed until at least late May. They usually have them out by early April! This FAFSA simplification is becoming a nightmare.
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StarSurfer
This is unfortunately very common right now. The FAFSA redesign (officially called the FAFSA Simplification Act) dramatically changed how data is processed and transmitted to colleges. Schools need to: 1. Update their Student Information Systems to receive the new data format 2. Adjust their internal packaging formulas since the SAI calculation is different 3. Test everything to ensure accurate aid packages Many colleges are facing this same technical hurdle. For UW Parkside specifically, I'd recommend: - Email the financial aid director directly (more effective than calling) - Ask if they have an estimated timeline for releasing aid packages - Request they send a general update to all students/families If you need to make decisions before aid packages are available, you might be able to get a rough estimate by using the 2025-2026 Federal Student Aid Estimator tool and discussing with the financial aid office.
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Javier Cruz
•Thank you for the detailed explanation and advice! I'll definitely email the director directly. Do you happen to know if schools are processing returning student aid packages differently/faster than new students during this delay period? My daughter's already enrolled so I'm hoping maybe they prioritize continuing students?
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Ravi Malhotra
lol welcome to the wonderful world of higher ed tech systems! colleges spend millions on fancy buildings but run financial aid on ancient software nobody knows how to update anymore 😂 my kid's school (different UW campus) said the same thing last week
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Javier Cruz
•So frustrating! It's not like the FAFSA changes were a surprise - they've had years to prepare for this! I don't understand why these massive institutions with huge budgets can't get their systems updated on time.
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Freya Christensen
For what it's worth, I had a very similar issue with my son's university (Purdue). After trying to call their financial aid office unsuccessfully for two weeks (constant busy signals or 2+ hour wait times), I used Claimyr.com to reach someone. It basically holds your place in line and calls you when an agent is available. They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/TbC8dZQWYNQ I was able to speak directly with financial aid and got more detailed information about their timeline for implementing the new system. They couldn't speed up the process, but at least I got clear answers about when to expect the aid package. Might be worth trying if you need more specific information than what you've gotten so far.
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Omar Hassan
•did that actually work? their website looks kinda sketchy tbh
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Freya Christensen
•Yes, it actually worked really well for me! I was skeptical too but was desperate after trying for two weeks to get through. It connected me with someone at Purdue's financial aid office within an hour instead of me having to stay on hold all day.
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Emma Thompson
To answer your question about returning students - most schools are processing aid packages for ALL students at the same time because the entire system needs to be updated before any awards can be calculated. Some schools might prioritize incoming freshmen for packaging since they have decision deadlines, but the technical delays are affecting everyone regardless of class year. One thing to keep in mind: schools that received your FAFSA data can see your SAI (Student Aid Index) even if their systems aren't fully updated. If you need to make urgent financial decisions, you can contact the aid office and ask them to manually look up your SAI score. That won't give you the full aid package, but it's a starting point to estimate what you might receive.
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Javier Cruz
•That's really helpful info! I'll definitely ask about our SAI score when I email the director. At least that would give us some idea of what to expect.
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Isabella Costa
This FAFSA reform has been a disaster from start to finish. First the three-month delay in even launching the form, then all the glitches when it finally opened, and now schools can't process the information. I work in higher education (not financial aid) and this has been a major topic in administrative meetings. Just want to validate your frustration - it's completely justified. The Department of Education did not adequately prepare institutions for these changes, and students and families are bearing the brunt of these implementation problems. Many schools are considering extending decision deadlines because of these delays.
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Javier Cruz
•Thank you for the validation! It feels like we're caught in this bureaucratic nightmare with no control. My daughter needs to know if she can afford to continue at UW Parkside or if we need to look at cheaper options. The uncertainty is so stressful.
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Omar Hassan
update: my daughter's school (UW Madison) just sent an email saying they expect to start releasing aid packages in mid-June. might be similar timeline for parkside since they're in the same system?
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Javier Cruz
•Mid-June?! That's so late! Thanks for sharing though - at least gives us some idea what to expect. I'll be following up with Parkside directly to see if their timeline is similar.
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StarSurfer
•This timeline is consistent with what many state university systems are communicating. The UW System likely has a coordinated approach to implementing these changes, so mid-June is probably a reasonable estimate for Parkside as well. For planning purposes, if your daughter's financial circumstances haven't changed dramatically from last year, her aid package will likely be similar to what she received previously. The new FAFSA formula has some changes, but returning students generally see consistency in their aid from year to year unless there's been a major change in family finances.
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