FAFSA reverted to DRAFT after adding/removing schools - need all financial info again?

dont worry this hapened to me 2 weeks ago. its just a glitch in the system. the financial info is still there u just have to click thru all the pages again but u dont actually have to retype anything. all ur old answers should show up once u get to each page.

This is a known issue with the 2025-2026 FAFSA form when you modify school selections after submission. What's happening is that the system is asking you to review all sections, but your information should still be there. You need to click through each section and verify the information is correct, then resubmit. The key points: 1. Your original financial data is still in the system 2. You don't need to re-enter information, just review each section 3. This won't affect your SAI calculation unless you make changes 4. Your original submission date is preserved for priority filing deadlines After you click through all sections and resubmit, your status should return to PROCESSED within 3-5 business days.

i forgot to mention make sure u actually hit SUBMIT again at the end. my boyfriend thought he was done after clicking thru everything but u gotta resubmit or ur new schools wont get it

Same thing happened with my daughter's FAFSA! But when we clicked next all the way through, some of our income information was actually MISSING!! We had to dig up our tax forms again and reenter stuff. So definitely double check everything carefully!!!!

I had this exact problem last week and spent HOURS on hold trying to reach someone at Federal Student Aid. When I finally got through, they explained it's just a verification step - your data is still there, but you need to click through each section. Btw, if anyone needs to actually speak with someone at FSA about this or other issues, I found this service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that got me through to an agent in about 15 minutes instead of waiting for hours. They have a demo video too: https://youtu.be/TbC8dZQWYNQ. Way less frustrating than repeatedly getting disconnected.

this is why FAFSA is the WORST. they make everything so complicated and never explain anything clearly. i bet a bunch of people just give up and don't finish when this happens.

Financial aid advisor here - This behavior is expected when modifying school selections on a processed FAFSA. The system requires you to review all sections as a verification step, but it maintains your previously entered information. Important notes about the school change process: 1. Your original submission date remains your official filing date 2. Schools you added will receive your information 3-7 days after you resubmit 3. Schools you removed will see that you've withdrawn your FAFSA from their institution 4. Your SAI (Student Aid Index) calculation remains unchanged unless you modify financial information This review requirement is actually a safeguard to prevent accidental changes to your application. Just carefully click through each section, verify your information, and submit again.

hey completely off topic but does anyone know if I'm supposed to include my stepparent's income if they don't legally support me? my mom remarried last year but my stepdad doesn't contribute to my education at all and i live with my dad during summers

Update: I've gone through the whole application again, and just like you all said, my information was all there! I just had to click through each section and verify. Just submitted again and got my confirmation email. Such a relief! Thank you everyone for your help - you saved me from a complete panic attack!