FAFSA showing 'In Review' status for 3 weeks - Should I be worried?

ur good dude, mine was 'in review' for almost a month last yr. just part of the process, they get backed up sometimes

If it says "In Review," that means your application has been received and is currently being processed. This is normal, especially during peak application periods. Processing times can vary significantly based on several factors: 1. Volume of applications being processed 2. Whether your application was flagged for verification 3. If there were any discrepancies in the information provided 4. The complexity of your financial situation For the 2025-2026 cycle, many students are experiencing longer wait times due to the new FAFSA simplification changes. As long as you submitted before your school's priority deadline, your application will be considered on time. The important date is the submission date, not when processing completes.

While "In Review" status is normal, three weeks is slightly longer than average for a straightforward application. Do you have any special circumstances that might be flagging your application for additional review? Things like very low reported income, changes in dependency status, or parent contribution issues can trigger additional scrutiny.

my sister's was stuck 'in review' for like FIVE WEEKS and then suddenly got approved!! the whole system is totally random sometimes lol

The FAFSA system is COMPLETELY OVERLOADED this year!!! My daughter's application was "in review" for 4 weeks, then got rejected for a TINY tax form error, then took ANOTHER 3 weeks after resubmission!!! The whole system is a disaster since they "simplified" it. What a joke. You probably need to call them but GOOD LUCK getting through to an actual person!!

After dealing with the same issue last month, I found a service called Claimyr that helped me get through to an actual FSA agent to check on my application status. The regular phone line had me on hold for over 2 hours before disconnecting, but with Claimyr I got through in about 15 minutes. They have a video showing how it works at https://youtu.be/TbC8dZQWYNQ. The agent was able to tell me exactly why my application was delayed (missing signature) and how to fix it. Might be worth checking out if you're worried about meeting your priority deadline.

For those concerned about the "In Review" status: the Department of Education has officially stated that for the 2025-2026 cycle, the target processing time is 2-3 weeks for applications without any flags or errors. However, during peak periods (like now), it can extend to 4-5 weeks. As long as your submission date (not processing completion date) is before your school's priority deadline, you're considered on time. If you're approaching your school's deadline and still worried, I recommend: 1. Taking a screenshot of your FAFSA submission confirmation with date 2. Emailing your school's financial aid office to inform them your FAFSA is currently processing 3. Ask if they need any additional documentation in the meantime Most schools are aware of the processing delays and will work with students accordingly.

Has anyone actually had their application stuck in review and then get rejected? That's what I'm worried about - waiting all this time just to find out I have to start over. Would rather know now if there's a problem.

Update: It just changed from "In Review" to "Processed"! My SAI is now showing. Looks like it was just a matter of waiting it out. Thanks everyone for your help and reassurance!

Congrats on getting it processed! This is such a helpful thread for anyone else dealing with the same issue. It's reassuring to see that the "In Review" status really is just part of the normal wait time, even when it feels like forever. For future reference, it sounds like 3-4 weeks is pretty typical this year with all the system changes. Thanks for updating us with the good news!

So glad to see this worked out! I'm currently on week 2 of "In Review" status and this whole thread has been incredibly reassuring. It's frustrating how the FAFSA system doesn't give you any indication of what's happening behind the scenes - just that vague "In Review" message with no timeline. Reading everyone's experiences here shows that patience really is key, even though it's nerve-wracking when deadlines are approaching. Thanks for sharing your journey and the happy ending!