FAFSA showing as 'deleted' but 'existing account' error when trying to create new one
I'm freaking out right now! Yesterday my FAFSA application completely disappeared from the system. When I log into studentaid.gov, it shows no active application. But when I try to start a new FAFSA for 2025-2026, the system gives me an error saying I already have an existing application! I'm caught in this horrible loop where my application is both deleted AND existing somehow?? I've emailed my college financial aid office but who knows when they'll respond. My priority deadline is in 10 days and I'm terrified I'll miss out on aid. Has anyone experienced this glitch? What should I do while waiting for my college to respond? Should I keep trying to create a new application or will that make things worse?
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Mary Bates
i had something similar happen last month! the website kept saying i had an existing application but nothing showed up in my dashboard. turned out it was a server issue on their end. try clearing your cache and using a different browser first. if that doesn't work, you need to call FSA directly because emailing your school won't fix a technical glitch on the federal side
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Oliver Brown
•Thanks for responding! I tried a different browser and clearing cache but still having the same problem. Did you end up having to call? How long did it take to resolve?
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Clay blendedgen
This is a known issue with the new 2025-2026 FAFSA system. What's happening is your application data is still in their database but there's a display error in the user interface. Your application isn't actually deleted - it's just not visible to you. You need to contact Federal Student Aid directly at 1-800-433-3243. Ask them to: 1. Verify your application status in their system 2. Have them document the display error 3. Request they reset your application status flag This happened to thousands of students during the January updates. Your college financial aid office can't fix this - it has to be resolved at the FSA level.
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Oliver Brown
•Oh wow, thank you for the detailed explanation! That makes me feel a little better knowing it's a known issue and not just something weird with my application. I'll call them right away. Do you know how long it usually takes to fix?
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Ayla Kumar
This happened to me too!! Been trying to call FSA for 3 days and keep getting disconnected after waiting an hour+ each time. So frustrating!!! They really need to fix their system
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Lorenzo McCormick
•Same here! Waited on hold for 2 hours yesterday only to get disconnected right when someone finally answered. This rollout has been a complete disaster! 🤬
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Carmella Popescu
Financial aid advisor here. This is indeed a display error in the system that's been happening since they updated the FAFSA platform. Your application data isn't lost - it's just not displaying correctly in your dashboard. Here's what to do: 1. Don't create multiple new applications - this will cause more problems 2. Contact FSA directly as others have suggested 3. Document everything - take screenshots of the errors 4. Ask for a case number when you speak with FSA 5. Send that case number to your financial aid office Your school can help override deadline issues if this isn't resolved quickly, but they can't fix the technical glitch themselves.
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Oliver Brown
•Thank you so much for this expert advice! I'll make sure to get a case number and document everything. It's a relief to know my data isn't actually lost.
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Kai Santiago
I've been trying to call FSA for days about a similar issue but can never get through! Always busy signals or disconnected calls. Anyone have a better way to reach them???
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Lim Wong
•I had the same problem trying to reach them about my verification issues. Someone recommended using Claimyr.com and it actually worked! It holds your place in line and calls you back when an agent is available. They have a video demo showing how it works: https://youtu.be/TbC8dZQWYNQ Saved me hours of waiting on hold and getting disconnected. Definitely worth trying if you're stuck in the same situation with the 'deleted but existing' FAFSA issue.
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Ayla Kumar
am i the only one who thinks its RIDICULOUS they rollout this 'improved' system and it's worse than before?? why can't they just have a button that says 'reset my application' or something?? my cousin's financial aid is probably gonna be late now bcuz of this
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Clay blendedgen
•You're definitely not alone in thinking that. The new FAFSA was supposed to be simpler but the rollout has been plagued with technical issues. The good news is most schools are being flexible with internal deadlines because of the widespread problems.
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Mary Bates
update on my situation from last month - it took them about 4 days to fix after i called. the person on the phone had to escalate it to their tech team. just keep calling until you get through!!
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Oliver Brown
•Thanks for the update! 4 days isn't terrible I guess. Did they give you any kind of confirmation when it was fixed or did you just have to keep checking?
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Carmella Popescu
Just a reminder - even if your FAFSA isn't showing up or seems deleted, the colleges you listed on your original application can still see your information. The colleges receive your data separately from what you see on your dashboard. So don't panic about missing deadlines - most schools are aware of these technical issues and are being accommodating.
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Oliver Brown
•That's a huge relief to hear! So even though I can't see my application, my colleges might still have received my information? That makes me feel much better about the deadline.
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Lim Wong
I had success after calling FSA twice - the first person couldn't help, but the second agent knew exactly what was happening. They told me this 'phantom application' issue happens when there's a validation error in your original submission that causes the system to both reject it but also keep it in the database. They had to manually clear something on their end.
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Oliver Brown
•Interesting! I'm glad you got it resolved. I'm going to try calling right now and hopefully get someone who knows how to fix it. Fingers crossed!
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Oliver Brown
UPDATE: I finally got through to FSA after trying for hours! The agent confirmed it's a known issue and said my application data is still in their system. They're manually resetting something on their end and said it should be visible again in 24-48 hours. They gave me a case number to reference if I have further problems. Thanks everyone for your help and suggestions!
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Mary Bates
•great!! so glad you got through to someone who could help! definitely check back in 2 days and let us know if it worked
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Clay blendedgen
•Excellent! Make sure to document that case number and the name of the representative you spoke with. If it's not resolved in 48 hours, call back and reference that information to avoid starting over.
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Nasira Ibanez
Wow, what a relief to see you got it resolved! I'm dealing with the exact same issue right now - my FAFSA disappeared but I get the "existing application" error when trying to start over. This thread has been SO helpful! I was panicking about my March deadline but now I know it's a known system glitch and not something I did wrong. Going to call FSA first thing tomorrow morning and ask for that manual reset. Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences - this community is amazing! 🙏
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Haley Stokes
•I'm so glad this thread helped you too! It's definitely scary when your FAFSA just vanishes like that. When you call tomorrow, make sure to specifically ask them to check for a "phantom application" or "validation error" - those seem to be the technical terms they use for this issue. Also, if the first person you talk to doesn't know what you're talking about, politely ask to speak with someone else or have it escalated. Some agents seem more familiar with this particular glitch than others. Good luck and definitely update us on how it goes!
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