FAFSA signature disappeared - will I lose Cal Grant after May 2 deadline?
I'm seriously freaking out right now! I submitted my FAFSA back in February and definitely signed everything electronically. But when I logged into studentaid.gov yesterday (May 4), it was suddenly asking for my signature AGAIN?! My application status changed from 'processed' back to 'incomplete'. The Cal Grant deadline was May 2nd, and I'm terrified I'll lose my eligibility because the system somehow unsigned my application. Has anyone experienced this glitch? Will I be disqualified from the Cal Grant for something that wasn't my fault? I already planned my budget assuming I'd get this money. 😓
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Vera Visnjic
The same thing happened to me last year! Sometimes the system glitches and your signature disappears. Sign it again ASAP and call them to explain.
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Mason Lopez
•Thanks, I just re-signed it immediately when I saw the issue. Did you get your grant after calling them? I'm so worried since the deadline already passed.
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Jake Sinclair
I think you should be ok as long as you have proof of your original submission date. Take screenshots of everything - your current application status, the submission confirmation email from February, etc. The Cal Grant people are usually understanding about FAFSA system glitches.
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Mason Lopez
•Good idea on the screenshots. I still have the confirmation email from February, thank goodness. I just worry they won't believe me.
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Brielle Johnson
Financial aid advisor here. This is actually a known issue with the 2025-2026 FAFSA. The electronic signature validation system has been experiencing intermittent failures where previously validated signatures get flagged as missing. Here's what you need to do: 1. Re-sign immediately (which you've done) 2. Contact your school's financial aid office with your original confirmation 3. File an appeal with CSAC (California Student Aid Commission) regarding the Cal Grant deadline CSAC is aware of these FAFSA signature problems and has been granting extensions on a case-by-case basis. Document everything!
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Mason Lopez
•Thank you SO much! This is exactly what I needed to hear. I'll contact my school's financial aid office first thing tomorrow and start the appeal with CSAC. Should I also try calling Federal Student Aid directly?
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Honorah King
omg the new FAFSA is such a disaster 🙄 my boyfriend's dad couldn't even access the contributor portal for like 3 MONTHS and almost missed deadlines too. the whole system is broken
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Mason Lopez
•It really is! I thought I did everything right and then this happens. So frustrating when your financial future depends on these systems working properly!
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Oliver Brown
I spent 3 hours on hold with Federal Student Aid trying to fix a similar issue. Never got through to anyone. Then I found out about Claimyr.com which got me connected to an agent in under 15 minutes. They have a video demo at https://youtu.be/TbC8dZQWYNQ showing how it works. The agent confirmed this signature issue is happening to lots of people and they're supposed to honor your original submission date as long as you fix it promptly.
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Mason Lopez
•Thank you! I'll check out that service. I've been trying to call but keep getting disconnected. Did they give you any documentation confirming they'd honor the original date?
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Oliver Brown
•They sent me an email confirmation after our call that stated my original submission date would be used for all aid determinations. Make sure to specifically ask for that!
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Mary Bates
This happened to me but with different aid. When you get someone on the phone explain that your signature was there and then disappeared. Don't say things like "I thought I signed it" - be firm that you DID sign it and the system failed. Worked for me.
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Mason Lopez
•That's great advice about being firm. I absolutely did sign it in February, I even have the confirmation email. I'll be very clear about that when I talk to them.
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Clay blendedgen
im so tired of FAFSA changing everything and messing up peoples financial aid!!! they messed up SAI calculations, contributor access was broken for weeks, and now signatures disappearing?? they should just automatically extend all deadlines by like a month with all these problems
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Honorah King
•For real!! My EFC from last year and my SAI this year are completely different even though our income didn't change at all? Make it make sense 🤦♀️
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Brielle Johnson
Quick update for everyone following this thread: The Department of Education just announced they're implementing a 14-day grace period for signature issues related to the known system glitch. This applies to state deadlines for the 2025-2026 application cycle, including Cal Grants. You should still contact CSAC directly, but this official policy should help your case. Reference "Signature Validation Error Code SV-2023-05" when discussing with representatives.
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Mason Lopez
•THANK YOU!! This is such a relief! Where can I find the official announcement about this grace period? I want to have it ready when I call.
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Brielle Johnson
•It was posted on the FSA Partner Connect portal this morning. Your school's financial aid office can access it, but it's not on the public-facing studentaid.gov site yet. They should be updating the public site within 48 hours.
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