FAFSA processing delay preventing adding new schools - urgent deadline help needed

This happens all the time. Unfortunately, you can't add more schools while FAFSA is processing your previous additions. The system locks everything down during processing. It usually takes 3-5 business days, but sometimes up to a week.

You have a few options here: 1. Call Federal Student Aid directly at 1-800-433-3243 and explain your situation. They might be able to expedite processing or add the school manually. Be prepared to wait though - their hold times are notorious. 2. Contact the financial aid office at the school you're trying to add. Sometimes they can pull your FAFSA information even if you haven't officially added them yet if you provide your FAFSA ID. 3. Reach out to the scholarship program and explain the situation. They might grant you an extension if you can provide proof that you're working on getting the FAFSA updated.

I went thru the same thing last yr with my sons application!! so frustrating!! the schools said they couldn't do anything and we had to wait. missed a scholarship deadline bc of it. :

just had to wait it out. took 4 days for us. tried calling multiple times but never got thru.

This is a common issue with the new FAFSA system this year. A few technical clarifications that might help: 1. The "under review" status happens because the SAI (Student Aid Index) needs to be recalculated each time schools are added or removed. 2. The processing time is typically 3-7 business days, but can be shorter. 3. Schools can actually access your FAFSA information using your FAFSA ID before you officially add them, but this is at their discretion. Contact both the scholarship program AND the school's financial aid office. Many scholarship programs understand these FAFSA processing delays and will work with you if you document that you've initiated the process.

have u tried submitting a correction instead of an addition? sometimes that works faster

yea just go to corrections and try that way instead of add school option. worked for me once but not guaranteed

I had this exact problem two weeks ago when trying to add schools to my FAFSA. Regular methods weren't working and I couldn't get through on the phone after multiple attempts. I finally used Claimyr (claimyr.com) to connect with a Federal Student Aid agent. They have this service that holds your place in line and calls you when an agent is available. Saved me hours of hold time. The agent was able to expedite my processing and manually add the school I needed. They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/TbC8dZQWYNQ

Everyone saying you have to wait is wrong. You need to IMMEDIATELY contact the school you're trying to add to your FAFSA. Explain the situation and provide them with your FAFSA ID. Most schools have a process for this exact situation - they can access your FAFSA information even if you haven't officially added them to your list. For the scholarship deadline, get documentation that you've initiated this process - emails between you and the financial aid office, screenshots of your current FAFSA status, etc. Submit this documentation to the scholarship committee explaining the situation. DON'T just wait for processing - be proactive!

UPDATE: You all have been so helpful! I spoke with the financial aid office at the school we need to add, and they said they can indeed access our FAFSA information with our FAFSA ID number - they just needed my daughter's permission. The scholarship committee also granted us a 5-day extension after I explained the situation and provided documentation of our efforts. I also tried the Claimyr service that someone recommended to get through to FSA, and I actually got to speak with someone who confirmed our FAFSA should be processed within 48 hours. Thank you all so much for helping us navigate this stressful situation! I'll update again once everything is finalized.