FAFSA signature page not working - stuck in electronic signature loop
I'm having the worst time with the FAFSA electronic signature process! I've been trying to submit my 2025-2026 application for THREE DAYS now. Every time I get to the signature page and click 'provide signature,' it just refreshes to the same page without letting me actually sign anything. I've tried different browsers (Chrome, Firefox, even Edge), cleared my cookies, and restarted my computer multiple times. Nothing works! My SAI calculation can't be processed until I get this fixed. Has anyone else had this signature problem recently? I'm seriously stressed because my school's priority deadline is next week!
35 comments


Carmella Popescu
Yes, this is actually a known issue with the FAFSA portal right now. The studentaid.gov site has been experiencing intermittent problems with the electronic signature function since they implemented the new simplified FAFSA system. Two things you can try: 1) Use the mobile app instead of the browser version - some users have had better luck there, or 2) Try signing between 5-7am Eastern when server traffic is lower. The system sometimes works during off-peak hours.
0 coins
Lorenzo McCormick
Thanks! I'll try the mobile app tonight. I didn't even think about that option. Do you know if my information will still be saved from my browser attempts?
0 coins
Kai Santiago
omg samee!!! i've been stuck on that screen for like two days. so frustrating!!! 😫
0 coins
Lorenzo McCormick
Has anything worked for you? I'm desperate to get this submitted!
0 coins
Lim Wong
Try using PRIVATE browsing mode! That fixed it for me when I was having the EXACT same issue. The FAFSA site has all these cookies and tracking stuff that sometimes conflicts with the signature function. Also make sure you're using your FSA ID correctly - I kept typing mine wrong without realizing it.
0 coins
Dananyl Lear
Private browsing worked for me too 👍 Something about the way they handle session cookies is messed up
0 coins
Lorenzo McCormick
I'll try private browsing next! Thank you!
0 coins
Noah huntAce420
I faced this exact issue last week when helping my daughter submit her FAFSA. After numerous attempts and frustration, I discovered that accessing the signature page at specific times (early morning or late night) seemed to work better. Also, if you're using any ad blockers or security extensions, try disabling them temporarily. The electronic signature process uses a specific type of secure connection that some browsers/extensions can interfere with.\n\nIf you're still having trouble, you can request a paper signature page to be mailed to you, though that will delay your application. Log into your FAFSA account, go to the three-line menu, select \
0 coins
Lorenzo McCormick
I definitely have ad blockers! I'll try turning those off. The paper signature is my last resort since my school's priority deadline is coming up fast.
0 coins
Ana Rusula
when i did mine last month, the signature page broke THREE TIMES!! had to start all over from the beginning each time, super annoying. what finally worked was using my phone instead of computer. something about mobile browser worked better.
0 coins
Kai Santiago
thats so weird!!1! why cant they just make a site that works lol
0 coins
Fidel Carson
After dealing with the same signature issue for DAYS, I finally got through to a real person at Federal Student Aid who fixed it for me right away. I used Claimyr (claimyr.com) to bypass the ridiculous wait times - they have this service that holds your place in line and calls you when an agent is ready. Saved me literally hours of waiting on hold. Check out their demo: https://youtu.be/TbC8dZQWYNQ \n\nThe agent told me there's actually a backend issue with some accounts where the signature page gets stuck in a loop. They had to reset something on their end for my account.
0 coins
Dananyl Lear
Does that service actually work? I've been trying to call about my verification issues for weeks and just get disconnected
0 coins
Fidel Carson
It absolutely worked for me. The agent told me they're dealing with higher call volumes because of the new simplified FAFSA rollout. Apparently there are quite a few bugs they're still working out.
0 coins
Carmella Popescu
One other suggestion - verify the email address and phone number in your FSA ID account match exactly what you entered in your FAFSA application. Sometimes the signature page loops when there's a mismatch between these contact details. Also double-check that both you and your parent(s) (if you're a dependent student) are using the correct FSA IDs for the signature process.
0 coins
Lorenzo McCormick
I'll check this too. My dad created his FSA ID recently and might have used a different email format than what we put on the FAFSA.
0 coins
Lim Wong
THE SYSTEM IS GARBAGE!!! This is my second year dealing with FAFSA nonsense. Last year they lost my verification documents TWICE and I almost lost my Pell Grant eligibility. Now this signature garbage. The FAFSA is supposedly \
0 coins
Kai Santiago
preach!! 🙌🙌 my efc was wrong last year and took 3 months to fix
0 coins
Lorenzo McCormick
I'm worried about verification too. Is that process just as broken?
0 coins
Lim Wong
YES verification is even WORSE than the signature page problems. If you get selected, start the process IMMEDIATELY because it takes FOREVER. And keep copies of EVERYTHING you submit!!
0 coins
Lorenzo McCormick
UPDATE: IT WORKED!!! I tried the private browsing + disabled ad blockers + early morning time (5:30am) combination, and the signature page finally went through! Now my application shows
0 coins
Carmella Popescu
Great news! Your SAI calculation should be processed within 3-5 business days now that the signature is complete. Make sure to check your email regularly for any requests for additional information.
0 coins
Dananyl Lear
Congrats! 🎉 Hope you get a good aid package!
0 coins
Noah huntAce420
For anyone else experiencing this issue, Federal Student Aid has just acknowledged this is a widespread problem in their system. They recommend trying to sign during off-peak hours (early morning or late night), using the mobile app, or calling their technical support line directly. According to their latest update, they're deploying a fix in the next 7-10 days.
0 coins
Lorenzo McCormick
Thanks for sharing this! I'm glad I'm not the only one who was having this problem. Hopefully they fix it soon so others don't have to go through what I did!
0 coins
Taylor To
I'm so glad you got it working! I've been following this thread because I'm having the exact same signature loop issue. Going to try the private browsing + disabled ad blockers combo at 5am tomorrow morning. It's crazy that we have to jump through all these hoops just to submit financial aid applications. The fact that Federal Student Aid acknowledged this as a widespread problem makes me feel better that it's not just user error. Thanks everyone for sharing your solutions - this community is a lifesaver when the official support channels aren't helpful!
0 coins
Javier Hernandez
I'm dealing with this exact same issue right now! Been stuck on the signature page for 2 days and getting so frustrated. Reading through everyone's solutions here - going to try the private browsing + disabled ad blockers approach first thing tomorrow morning. It's ridiculous that we have to figure out these workarounds just to submit our financial aid applications. Really hoping Federal Student Aid gets this fixed soon because this is adding so much unnecessary stress to an already stressful process. Thanks to everyone who shared what worked for them!
0 coins
William Schwarz
•Same here! I've been refreshing that signature page for what feels like forever. It's such a relief to know this is a known system issue and not something I'm doing wrong. I'm definitely going to try the early morning + private browsing combo too. Has anyone had luck with the mobile app approach that was mentioned earlier? I might try that as a backup if the browser tricks don't work. This whole process is already stressful enough without these technical glitches!
0 coins
Dmitry Smirnov
Just wanted to jump in as someone who went through this nightmare last month! The signature loop issue is SO frustrating. What finally worked for me was a combination of clearing ALL my browser data (not just cookies - everything including cache and stored passwords), then using private/incognito mode at around 6am EST. Also make sure you're not using any VPN or proxy services as those can interfere with the signature validation process. The mobile app suggestion is solid too - I had a friend who got through that way when nothing else worked. Don't give up! It's definitely a system issue on their end, not anything you're doing wrong. Keep trying different combinations and times - you'll eventually break through!
0 coins
Noah Irving
•Thank you so much for sharing your experience! The VPN thing is something I hadn't considered - I do use a VPN for work sometimes and forget to turn it off. Going to make sure that's disabled when I try again. It's really helpful to hear from people who've actually gotten through this process successfully. The clearing ALL browser data tip is great too - I was only clearing cookies before. I'm feeling more optimistic now that there are so many different approaches to try. Really appreciate everyone in this community sharing their solutions!
0 coins
Maggie Martinez
I just went through this exact same signature loop nightmare two weeks ago! After trying everything mentioned here (private browsing, clearing cache, different browsers, mobile app), what FINALLY worked for me was logging out completely from my FSA ID account, waiting about 30 minutes, then logging back in and going straight to the signature page. Apparently there can be some kind of session conflict that gets resolved when you fully reset your login session. Also, I noticed the signature page seemed to work better when I accessed it directly through the "Sign and Submit" link in my email notification rather than navigating through the main FAFSA portal. It's so frustrating that we have to figure out these random workarounds, but don't lose hope - you'll get through it! The stress is real when you're up against deadlines, but the system will eventually cooperate.
0 coins
QuantumQuest
•This is such great advice! The session timeout/reset approach makes a lot of sense - I bet there are some backend authentication issues that get cleared when you fully log out and back in. I hadn't thought about using the direct email link instead of navigating through the main portal either. That could definitely bypass whatever navigation bugs are causing the loop. It's amazing how many different workarounds everyone has discovered for what should be a straightforward process. I'm bookmarking all these solutions in case I run into issues when I submit mine next month. Thanks for sharing what worked for you - it gives me hope that there are multiple ways to get through this system when it's being difficult!
0 coins
Carmen Vega
I'm having this exact same signature loop issue right now! Been stuck for the past day and getting really stressed about my deadline. Reading through all these solutions is giving me hope though. I'm going to try the combination approach - private browsing mode with ad blockers disabled at around 5-6am tomorrow morning. If that doesn't work, I'll try the mobile app and the full logout/wait/login method that Maggie mentioned. It's honestly ridiculous that we need to jump through all these technical hoops just to submit financial aid applications, but I'm grateful this community exists to share workarounds. The fact that Federal Student Aid acknowledged this as a widespread issue makes me feel less crazy for struggling with it. Will update if I manage to break through!
0 coins
Isabella Santos
•You're definitely not going crazy - this signature loop issue seems to be affecting tons of people! I just went through the same thing last week and it was so stressful. The combination approach you mentioned sounds like a solid plan. One thing I'd add to your strategy - make sure you're using the most up-to-date version of whatever browser you choose, and if you have multiple browsers installed, try a completely different one than what you normally use (like if you usually use Chrome, try Firefox or Safari). Sometimes a fresh browser environment can make all the difference. Also, don't forget to check that your parent's FSA ID is working properly too if you're a dependent student - that was part of my issue! The early morning timing really does seem to help with the server load. Good luck tomorrow morning - you've got this! 🤞
0 coins
Luca Marino
I just wanted to add another solution that worked for me when I had this signature loop issue a few weeks ago! After trying all the browser-based solutions without success, what finally broke the loop for me was switching to a completely different device. I had been trying on my laptop for days, but when I borrowed my roommate's computer and logged into my FSA ID there, the signature page worked perfectly on the first try. I think sometimes the issue might be related to cached data or settings that are tied to your specific device/browser combination that even private browsing doesn't fully clear. So if you have access to another computer, tablet, or even a different phone, it might be worth giving that a shot! It's frustrating that we have to troubleshoot like this, but at least there are multiple paths to success. Hope this helps someone who's still stuck in the loop!
0 coins