FAFSA processing freeze after March 18th - application stuck in review
Is anyone else's FAFSA application stuck in the 'under review' status since March 18th? My daughter's application hasn't moved at all and we're getting crazy anxious because her college decision deadline is coming up next month. When I check the studentaid.gov portal, it just shows 'Processing' with no new updates for over a week now. I've been monitoring the 'processed date' section and it's completely frozen. Called the FAFSA hotline three times but can't get through to a human - just an automated message saying they're experiencing high call volumes. Anyone seeing movement on applications submitted after March 18th? Or is there some kind of system-wide delay happening? This waiting game is seriously stressing us out!
19 comments
Join the conversation
Reginald Blackwell
omg same!!! submitted on march 15 and nothing since then. just stuck on 'processing' forever
0 coins
Statiia Aarssizan
•Did you try calling them? I wonder if they've hit some kind of technical glitch in their system that's affecting all applications from around that time.
0 coins
Aria Khan
I'm in the same boat! Submitted March 17th and NOTHING has changed on the status. My daughter's school is asking for the SAI score and we don't even have it yet. This new FAFSA system has been one disaster after another. First the 3-month delay in even opening applications, now this processing freeze? Unbelievable.
0 coins
Everett Tutum
•yeah my cousins dealing w the same thing, she sent hers in on the 16th i think? still stuck in processing 🙄 this years been a mess
0 coins
Sunny Wang
There appears to be a systematic slowdown in FAFSA processing that began around March 18th. The Department of Education hasn't officially announced a freeze, but many applicants are experiencing extended review periods beyond the typical 3-5 business day processing time. This is likely due to their implementation of additional verification steps following the simplified FAFSA rollout. If your college decision deadline is approaching, I recommend taking these steps: 1. Contact your college's financial aid office directly and explain the situation 2. Ask if they can provide a conditional financial aid package based on your submitted FAFSA (many schools are doing this) 3. Request a deadline extension specifically related to financial aid documentation Most institutions are aware of the FAFSA delays this year and have adjusted their processes accordingly.
0 coins
Statiia Aarssizan
•Thank you for this detailed response. I'll definitely reach out to the financial aid offices tomorrow. Do you think getting a conditional package would impact her eligibility for institutional scholarships? That's our biggest concern right now.
0 coins
Hugh Intensity
I've been trying to get through to someone at FSA for THREE DAYS to ask about our application status! Submitted March 14, still nothing. Every time I call, it's "we're experiencing high call volume" and then they hang up. I'm ready to throw my phone through a window!!!
0 coins
Effie Alexander
•I was having the same problem with the endless FAFSA phone loop until I tried using Claimyr to get through to an agent. It basically holds your place in line so you don't have to stay on the phone for hours. Got connected to a real person in about 20 minutes who confirmed there's a processing backlog but my application was still in the system. You can check out how it works at claimyr.com or see their demo video: https://youtu.be/TbC8dZQWYNQ. Much better than the endless redial nightmare I was doing before.
0 coins
Melissa Lin
The processing delay appears to be specifically affecting applications submitted between March 14-20. I work at a community college financial aid office, and we're seeing this pattern with dozens of students. From what we've been told internally, the Department of Education implemented additional verification protocols in mid-March that significantly slowed processing times. For those facing college decision deadlines: 1. Email your schools' financial aid offices with your FAFSA confirmation number as proof of submission 2. Request provisional aid packages based on submitted information 3. Document all communication for your records Most schools understand this is a system-wide issue and will work with you. Also, check if your EFC/SAI appears in your studentaid.gov account under "Aid Summary" even if the main status still shows processing.
0 coins
Statiia Aarssizan
•Thank you! I just checked the Aid Summary section, but there's nothing there yet. I'll email the schools with the confirmation number tonight. This has been such a stressful experience with the new FAFSA system.
0 coins
Everett Tutum
i heard they had a software update that messed everything up lol classic government tech fail
0 coins
Aria Khan
•Wouldn't surprise me at all! The whole "simplified" FAFSA rollout has been anything BUT simple. 3 months late launching, constant glitches, and now mysterious processing delays. My son might choose his college without even knowing what aid he'll get. Ridiculous!
0 coins
Effie Alexander
For those struggling with the delays, I contacted Federal Student Aid yesterday and got some information. According to the agent I spoke with, there's a processing backlog affecting submissions from mid-March, but they're working through them in batches. The agent confirmed my daughter's application (submitted March 16) was in queue and not lost, which was reassuring. She recommended checking the studentaid.gov portal daily rather than calling repeatedly. Also, they're prioritizing applications for students with approaching decision deadlines, so if your deadline is in April, make sure that information is updated in your FAFSA account.
0 coins
Statiia Aarssizan
•That's really helpful information. How long did you have to wait to speak with an agent? Every time I call I get disconnected after the automated message.
0 coins
Effie Alexander
•I used Claimyr to get through (claimyr.com) - otherwise I was getting nowhere. They got me connected to an agent who confirmed they're working through a backlog but applications aren't lost. The system is just overloaded with the new FAFSA rollout issues.
0 coins
Aria Khan
Update: FINALLY saw movement! Our application from March 17th just updated today with a processed date of March 25th. So there's a roughly 8-day processing time happening right now. Check your portals everyone!
0 coins
Statiia Aarssizan
•That's encouraging! I just checked ours and it's still showing as processing, but hopefully that means we'll see movement in the next day or two. Did you get your SAI score right away once it processed?
0 coins
Aria Khan
•Yes! The SAI score appeared immediately once the status changed to processed. And I already got an email from one of my daughter's schools saying they received the FAFSA data, so it seems to be moving through the system quickly once it gets processed.
0 coins
Jay Lincoln
Just wanted to add my experience - submitted March 19th and still stuck in processing. This thread is actually making me feel better knowing it's not just us! I've been refreshing the portal obsessively every day. My son has to commit to his college by May 1st and we really need to know what financial aid he's getting. Going to try contacting the schools directly like some of you suggested. Thanks for sharing all this info - at least now I know we're not alone in this mess!
0 coins