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QuantumQuasar

FAFSA showing loan repayment date while I'm still enrolled full-time - how to fix?

I just checked my studentaid.gov account and I'm totally freaking out. My FAFSA dashboard is showing my first loan repayment date as February 5th, 2025 (just a few months away), but I'm currently enrolled FULL-TIME at my university. I'm taking 18 credit hours this semester and haven't even finished my first quarter yet! There's a message saying something like "It looks like you've recently completed school, withdrawn, or dropped below half-time enrollment" - but NONE of this is true. The system shows my original loan amount was $1,833, but now I'm worried they think I'm not enrolled and I'll have to start repaying while still in school. Has anyone else had this error? Do I need to submit some kind of enrollment verification? Will this mess up my future financial aid? I've tried calling the financial aid office but can't get through to anyone.

This is actually a common glitch in the system when enrollment verification doesn't process correctly. Your school likely needs to submit an updated enrollment certification to the National Student Loan Data System (NSLDS). Contact your school's registrar office first thing tomorrow and ask them to verify your enrollment status has been properly reported to NSLDS. This should fix the problem within 7-10 business days.

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QuantumQuasar

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Thank you so much! Do you know if I need to bring any specific documentation to the registrar when I go? And should I still be worried about that February date or will it automatically update once they fix it?

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Paolo Moretti

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omg same thing happened to me last year!!! the system thought i graduated even tho i still had 2 years left. it was legit terrifying seeing that repayment date. dont worry tho its fixable

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QuantumQuasar

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That's reassuring to hear I'm not the only one! How long did it take for them to fix it in your case?

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Paolo Moretti

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took like 2-3 weeks but i had to bug them like every other day lol. bring ur class schedule when u go to the office thats what they asked me for

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Amina Diop

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You need to call FSA directly about this. I spent WEEKS going back and forth with my university's financial aid office for the exact same issue and got nowhere. Their system kept showing me as "withdrawn" even though I was taking 15 credits. The school kept saying they submitted the right info but nothing changed. Finally I reached Federal Student Aid and they fixed it on their end in like 10 minutes. The problem is getting through to an actual human being - I spent HOURS on hold over multiple days.

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Oliver Weber

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For getting through to FSA agents quickly, I'd recommend using Claimyr (claimyr.com). I was having the same issue with being placed in repayment while still enrolled, and after trying to call for days, I used their service and got connected to an agent in minutes instead of hours. They have a video demo that shows how it works: https://youtu.be/TbC8dZQWYNQ. The agent was able to place my loans back in in-school deferment status immediately once I explained my situation.

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Amina Diop

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Also, DOCUMENT EVERYTHING. Take screenshots of your course registration, get an enrollment verification letter from your registrar, and keep records of all calls/emails. The system is broken and you need proof.

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This happened to my roommate last semester. Turns out she had accidentally dropped below 12 credits during add/drop week before adding another class. Even though she was back above full-time status, the system had already flagged her. Just something to consider - did you make any schedule changes early in the term?

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QuantumQuasar

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I did drop a class during the first week but immediately added another one the same day. I never went below 12 credits. Could that short window of a schedule change still trigger this? That seems crazy.

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Yes, it absolutely could. The NSLDS reporting can happen at any time, and if it coincided with that brief period when you made changes, it might have captured an incomplete picture of your enrollment. This is why requesting a new enrollment certification is so important.

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NebulaNinja

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THE ENTIRE FINANCIAL AID SYSTEM IS DESIGNED TO FAIL STUDENTS!!! I had this EXACT problem two years ago and ended up with a delinquency on my credit report even though I was STILL IN SCHOOL FULL-TIME!!! The "helpful" people at my university submitted paperwork THREE TIMES and it still didn't get fixed for MONTHS. By then the damage was done. The system is deliberately broken to trap students in bureaucratic hell. NOBODY CARES ABOUT STUDENTS.

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QuantumQuasar

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Oh no, that's terrifying. Did you eventually get the delinquency removed from your credit report? I'm worried this could affect my credit score.

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NebulaNinja

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Yes but it took filing a formal complaint with the FSA Ombudsman AND the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. Prepare for battle because nobody in this system is actually incentivized to help you. Their jobs exist to process paperwork, not solve problems.

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Javier Gomez

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Let me clarify something important here: This is likely not a FAFSA issue specifically, but rather a federal loan servicing issue. The FAFSA is just the application for aid, while loan servicing is handled separately. What you're experiencing is called an "incorrect enrollment reporting" problem. Here's what to do: 1. Request an official Enrollment Verification letter from your registrar (usually available instantly through your student portal) 2. Contact your school's financial aid office AND registrar to ensure they're properly reporting your enrollment to NSLDS 3. Check who your loan servicer is (visible on studentaid.gov) and contact them directly with your enrollment verification 4. Request an immediate in-school deferment based on your full-time status This is quite common and fixable, but you need to be proactive. Don't wait for February!

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QuantumQuasar

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Thank you for the detailed steps! I just logged back into studentaid.gov and found my servicer (Aidvantage). Should I contact both them AND my school, or start with one first?

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Javier Gomez

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Start with your school's registrar office to get the enrollment verification letter. Then contact both your financial aid office and Aidvantage simultaneously. This way, you're addressing both sides of the reporting issue at once. Be sure to keep copies of all communications and the enrollment verification letter.

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Amina Diop

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Make sure you check if the loan is actually a federal student loan or something else. My sister had a similar issue and it turned out she had accidentally taken a private loan through the school that had different enrollment verification requirements. Just something to double-check.

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QuantumQuasar

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It's definitely a federal loan - it shows up on studentaid.gov. I only have the one loan so far since I'm in my first quarter. Just trying to make sure I don't mess up my future aid eligibility with this weird glitch.

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UPDATE: I followed the advice here and got my issue resolved! For anyone facing this in the future: 1. Got enrollment verification letter from registrar 2. Called my servicer (Aidvantage) using the Claimyr service someone recommended - actually worked and saved hours of hold time 3. Servicer put my loans in administrative forbearance while investigating 4. School resubmitted enrollment data to NSLDS 5. After 8 business days, my account now correctly shows in-school deferment until my expected graduation date Thanks everyone for your help! Such a relief to have this fixed before any payments were due.

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Javier Gomez

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This is great news! And thank you for sharing the resolution process. It will be helpful for other students facing the same issue. Just as a precaution, I'd recommend checking your account again in about a month to make sure everything is still showing correctly.

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QuantumQuasar

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Wait, I think you might have posted in the wrong thread? I'm the original poster and I haven't resolved my issue yet. But I'm glad to hear you got yours fixed! I'll follow the same steps.

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Oh my gosh, I'm so sorry! You're right - I meant to post this in a different thread where I was getting help with a similar issue. But I guess this confirms these steps do work! Good luck with yours!

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Cynthia Love

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This is such a stressful situation - I can totally understand your panic! I went through something similar last year and it's definitely fixable, though it requires some persistence. One thing I'd add to the great advice already given: when you contact your servicer, specifically ask them to place your loans in "in-school deferment" status while they investigate. This will prevent any accidental payments from being processed while the enrollment verification gets sorted out. Also, keep checking your studentaid.gov account every few days after you submit the enrollment verification. Sometimes the system updates faster than they tell you it will, and other times there can be additional delays if there are any data mismatches between your school's records and the federal database. Don't let this affect your studies - it's a common administrative hiccup that happens to thousands of students each semester. The key is just staying on top of it and following up regularly until it's resolved.

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Yuki Yamamoto

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Thank you for the encouragement! I'm definitely feeling less panicked after reading everyone's advice. I'm going to call my registrar first thing tomorrow morning to get that enrollment verification letter, then tackle the servicer call. The tip about asking for in-school deferment status specifically is really helpful - I wouldn't have known to use those exact words. It's reassuring to know this happens to so many students and isn't just me messing something up!

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I went through this exact same nightmare last semester! The system randomly decided I had withdrawn even though I was taking 15 credits. What saved me was being super organized about it - I created a folder with my enrollment verification letter, class schedule, and screenshots of my student portal showing full-time status. One thing that really helped was calling early in the morning (like 8 AM) when the phone lines first opened. I got through to both my school's financial aid office and my loan servicer much faster that way. Also, don't just rely on one person - if the first person you talk to doesn't seem helpful or knowledgeable, politely ask to speak with a supervisor or call back later to get someone else. The whole process took about 2 weeks for me, but the key was following up every 2-3 days to make sure things were actually moving forward. Good luck - you've got this!

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Isaac Wright

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This is exactly the kind of detailed, practical advice I needed to hear! I love the idea of creating an organized folder with all the documentation - that's so smart. I'm definitely going to try the early morning calling strategy too. It's really encouraging to hear that even though it took 2 weeks, you were able to get it resolved by staying on top of it. I'm feeling much more confident about tackling this now. Thank you for sharing your experience and the specific tips about following up every few days!

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Toot-n-Mighty

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I'm dealing with this exact issue right now too! My studentaid.gov account randomly started showing a repayment date in January even though I'm taking 16 credits this semester. It's so scary when you first see that date pop up. From what I'm reading here, it sounds like the key steps are: 1) Get enrollment verification from the registrar, 2) Contact both the school and loan servicer, and 3) specifically request in-school deferment status while they sort it out. Has anyone had luck with their school's financial aid office being responsive to this issue, or is it better to go straight to the registrar like some people suggested? I'm trying to figure out the most efficient path forward since I'm already stressed about midterms and don't want to waste time going to the wrong office first. Really appreciate everyone sharing their experiences here - it's making this feel way less overwhelming knowing it's a common problem with clear solutions!

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NebulaNomad

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Based on what I've been reading through this thread, it seems like going to the registrar first is definitely the most efficient approach! They're the ones who can actually generate the enrollment verification letter you'll need, and they're also responsible for reporting your enrollment status to NSLDS. The financial aid office can be helpful for follow-up, but the registrar has the direct access to fix the root cause of the problem. I'd suggest hitting the registrar first thing in the morning, getting that verification letter, and then tackling both the financial aid office and your loan servicer simultaneously. Good luck with your midterms - this administrative stuff is such an unnecessary stressor when you should be focusing on your studies!

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Ellie Lopez

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I had this same terrifying experience my sophomore year! That sinking feeling when you see a repayment date while you're still in classes is the worst. Here's what worked for me: The most important thing is to act fast but don't panic. I went straight to my registrar's office with my current class schedule printed out. They were able to generate an enrollment verification letter on the spot and explained that sometimes there's a delay between when schools report enrollment changes and when the federal system processes them. My loan servicer (Nelnet at the time) was actually really helpful once I got through to them. I specifically said "I need to request an in-school deferment - my loans are showing repayment status but I'm enrolled full-time" and they immediately knew what to do. They put a temporary hold on any payment processing while they updated my status. The whole thing resolved in about 10 days, but I made sure to call both my school and servicer every few days to check progress. Take screenshots of everything and keep all your documentation - you'll want proof if anything goes wrong later. You're going to get through this! It's way more common than you'd think, and the system is set up to fix these errors once the right people know about it.

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Leo McDonald

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This is so reassuring to read! I'm definitely going to follow your approach - going straight to the registrar with my printed class schedule sounds like the smartest first step. I love that you emphasized acting fast but not panicking, because I'm definitely in full panic mode right now seeing that February date looming. The specific wording you used with your servicer ("I need to request an in-school deferment") is super helpful too - I wouldn't have known exactly how to phrase it. I'm going to take your advice about taking screenshots of everything and keeping documentation. Thank you so much for sharing your step-by-step experience, it's giving me a clear roadmap to follow!

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Liam McGuire

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I just went through this exact same situation two weeks ago and wanted to share what worked for me! I was absolutely terrified when I saw my repayment date showing up while I'm still taking 14 credits. Here's the step-by-step process that got mine resolved: 1. **Registrar first** - Got there right when they opened at 8 AM and explained the situation. They printed my enrollment verification letter immediately and confirmed they would re-submit my enrollment data to NSLDS that same day. 2. **Loan servicer call** - Used the early morning strategy others mentioned here and got through in about 20 minutes instead of hours. I said exactly "I need an in-school deferment - my account shows repayment status but I'm currently enrolled full-time" and they immediately put my loans in administrative forbearance while investigating. 3. **Documentation** - Took screenshots of everything, kept copies of my enrollment letter, and created a simple tracking sheet with dates/names of who I talked to. 4. **Follow-up** - Checked my account every 2-3 days and called once a week for updates. The whole thing was resolved in exactly 12 business days! My account now correctly shows in-school deferment status through my expected graduation date. The key is being persistent but organized about it. This is definitely a known issue that happens frequently, so don't feel like you did anything wrong. You've got this!

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Jay Lincoln

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This is such a helpful breakdown! I'm so glad you shared your exact timeline and process - 12 business days feels very manageable when you break it down like this. I really appreciate the specific wording you used with your servicer too, that's going to save me from fumbling around trying to explain the situation. The idea of creating a tracking sheet is brilliant - I'm definitely going to do that to stay organized and make sure I don't lose track of who I've talked to and when. It's such a relief to hear from someone who just went through this recently and came out the other side successfully. Thank you for taking the time to share such detailed steps - this gives me a clear action plan to follow starting tomorrow morning!

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I'm so sorry you're dealing with this stress! I went through something very similar last year and I know how terrifying it is to see that repayment date when you're still in school full-time. From my experience and what everyone else has shared here, this is definitely a fixable administrative error that happens more often than you'd think. The consensus seems to be: 1. **Start with your registrar's office first thing tomorrow** - they can generate an enrollment verification letter immediately and resubmit your data to NSLDS 2. **Call your loan servicer early in the morning** (around 8 AM when lines open) - ask specifically for "in-school deferment status" while they investigate 3. **Document everything** - screenshots, enrollment letters, names/dates of who you talk to The fact that you're taking 18 credits makes this clearly an administrative error on their end, not something you did wrong. Most people here got it resolved within 1-2 weeks by staying organized and following up regularly. Try not to let this affect your studies too much - you've got a clear path forward and plenty of time before that February date. The system has processes in place to fix exactly this kind of enrollment reporting error. You've got this!

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NebulaNomad

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Thank you so much for this comprehensive summary and the encouragement! As someone who's new to navigating all this financial aid stuff, it's incredibly reassuring to see that this is a known issue with a clear resolution path. I was honestly starting to panic that I had somehow messed up my enrollment or that this would affect my ability to get aid in the future. Your point about not letting this affect my studies is really important - I've been so stressed about this that I've barely been able to focus on my coursework. Knowing that I have a concrete action plan (registrar first, then servicer call, document everything) and that most people get it resolved within 1-2 weeks makes this feel so much more manageable. I'm definitely going to be at the registrar's office right when they open tomorrow morning with my class schedule in hand. Thank you for taking the time to summarize all the advice from this thread - it really helps to have it all laid out clearly like this!

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Alicia Stern

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I know exactly how scary this feels! I had the same issue happen last semester - woke up one morning to see a repayment date while I was taking 15 credits and nearly had a heart attack. Here's what I learned from going through this process: the system glitches are unfortunately super common, especially if you made any schedule changes during add/drop period. Even something as simple as briefly dropping below full-time status for a few hours while switching classes can trigger this. The good news is everyone here has given you the perfect roadmap. I'd just add one thing - when you go to your registrar, ask them to specifically note in your file that you've been continuously enrolled full-time. Sometimes having that extra documentation helps if the issue pops up again later. Also, don't be discouraged if the first person you talk to at your loan servicer doesn't seem familiar with this issue. I had to call back twice before I got someone who immediately knew what "enrollment verification error" meant and could fix it quickly. The whole process took about 10 days for me, but honestly the hardest part was just that initial panic when you first see the repayment date. Once you get the ball rolling tomorrow with your registrar, you'll feel so much better having a plan in motion!

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NebulaNova

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Thank you for sharing your experience and the additional tip about asking the registrar to note continuous enrollment in my file - that's really smart thinking ahead! It's so validating to hear that schedule changes during add/drop can trigger this, because I did swap one class during that first week. I was worried I had somehow caused this mess, but it sounds like the system is just really sensitive to any temporary enrollment changes. Your point about potentially needing to call the servicer more than once is really helpful too. I'll make sure to be persistent if the first person doesn't seem to know what I'm talking about. It's encouraging to know that once you found the right person, they could fix it quickly. 10 days feels totally manageable, and you're absolutely right that the worst part is that initial panic. I'm feeling so much more confident about tackling this tomorrow morning now that I have everyone's advice and know this is a common, fixable issue. Thank you for taking the time to share your experience - it really helps to hear from people who've successfully navigated this exact situation!

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Diego Mendoza

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I just wanted to jump in as someone who works in university financial aid to reassure you that this is absolutely a fixable situation! We see this type of enrollment verification error pretty regularly, especially at the beginning of academic quarters/semesters. What's likely happened is there was a timing mismatch between when your school reported enrollment data and when the federal system processed it. The February repayment date you're seeing is just the system's default calculation based on incomplete information - it's not set in stone. Everyone here has given you excellent advice about going to your registrar first. I'd also suggest when you get your enrollment verification letter, ask for two copies - one for your loan servicer and one for your own records. Sometimes servicers will request additional documentation later, and having that backup copy saves you a trip back to the registrar. Also, don't worry about this affecting your future financial aid eligibility. These administrative errors happen on the system side and won't impact your ability to receive aid in subsequent terms as long as you're maintaining satisfactory academic progress (which you clearly are with 18 credits!). The key is just staying proactive about follow-up calls until it's resolved. Most students get this fixed within 2 weeks max. You've got this!

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Kara Yoshida

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Thank you so much for weighing in with your professional perspective! It's incredibly reassuring to hear from someone who actually works in financial aid and sees these issues regularly. Your explanation about the timing mismatch between school reporting and federal processing really helps me understand what likely went wrong - it makes so much more sense now. The tip about getting two copies of the enrollment verification letter is brilliant - I definitely wouldn't have thought to ask for extras, but having backup documentation ready sounds like a smart move. And I'm so relieved to hear that this won't affect my future aid eligibility as long as I'm maintaining good academic progress. That was honestly one of my biggest worries about this whole situation. Your reassurance that most students get this resolved within 2 weeks gives me a realistic timeline to work with. I'm feeling so much more confident about handling this now that I have input from both people who've been through it as students AND someone with professional experience on the administrative side. Thank you for taking the time to provide that insider perspective - it really helps to know this is just a routine fix from your office's standpoint!

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I'm going through this exact same terrifying situation right now! Just logged into my studentaid.gov account yesterday and saw a repayment date for next month even though I'm taking 16 credits this semester. My heart literally dropped when I saw it. Reading through everyone's advice here has been such a lifesaver - I had no idea this was such a common issue or that there were clear steps to fix it. I'm definitely going to follow the roadmap everyone has laid out: hit the registrar first thing tomorrow morning for that enrollment verification letter, then call my servicer early to request in-school deferment status while they sort it out. The tip about using specific language like "I need to request an in-school deferment" is so helpful - I would have just rambled about my problem without knowing the right terminology. And I love the idea of creating a documentation folder and tracking sheet to stay organized through the process. Thank you to everyone who shared their experiences, especially hearing that most people get this resolved within 1-2 weeks. It's such a relief to know this is just an administrative glitch and not something that will mess up my future financial aid. You've all turned what felt like a complete disaster into a manageable problem with a clear solution!

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Mei Wong

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I'm so glad this thread has been helpful for you! It's amazing how much less scary this whole situation becomes once you realize it's such a common administrative hiccup that happens to tons of students every semester. One thing I'd add to all the great advice here - when you call your servicer, don't be discouraged if you have to wait on hold for a while or if the first person you talk to doesn't immediately understand the issue. I've found that using phrases like "enrollment verification error" or "NSLDS reporting issue" along with "in-school deferment request" really helps get you transferred to someone who deals with these problems regularly. Also, once you get everything sorted out, I'd recommend setting a calendar reminder to check your studentaid.gov account monthly just to make sure your enrollment status stays updated correctly. Sometimes schools have recurring reporting issues, so it's good to catch any future glitches early. You're going to get through this just fine! The fact that you're being proactive about it now gives you plenty of time to get it resolved before any payments would actually be due. Best of luck with the registrar visit tomorrow morning!

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