FAFSA signature page won't accept my input - stuck for weeks!

omg YES!!! same exact thing happened to me last week. the signature page is broken af. i tried like 20 times and it kept giving me that stupid "processing error" message 🤬

I had this issue and finally solved it! For some reason, there's a weird bug with how the system processes certain special characters in passwords or usernames. Try these steps that worked for me: 1. Log out completely from studentaid.gov 2. Clear ALL browser data (not just cache) 3. Use a device you haven't previously attempted with 4. Make sure your FSA ID username doesn't have any special characters 5. When you get to the signature page, type everything SLOWLY (seriously, don't rush) 6. Use the TAB key to move between fields, not your mouse Also, double-check that the name you're entering matches EXACTLY what's on your FSA ID. Even a middle initial difference can cause problems.

Is it possible your personal info doesn't match what's in the Social Security database? My daughter kept getting rejected and it turned out her SSN was correct but the name format in the SSA system had her middle name included while she was only using her first and last name on FAFSA. Worth checking if there's any discrepancy like that.

The FAFSA site has been a NIGHTMARE this year!! I tried calling them 8 different times and kept getting disconnected after waiting for hours. Their new "simplified" application is anything but simple. My kid's financial aid is literally hanging in the balance because of their broken website. This is ridiculous!

Financial aid advisor here! This signature issue has been affecting quite a few students this application cycle. The most common causes are: 1. Browser compatibility issues (especially with older versions) 2. Name/SSN mismatches with the Social Security Administration records 3. Session timeouts (the system times out but doesn't tell you) 4. Server-side processing errors during high volume periods If you've tried different browsers and devices, my recommendation is to first verify your identity information matches exactly across all systems. Then try completing the signature process during off-peak hours (early morning or late evening). If all else fails, you should request a signature page by mail. Yes, it's old school, but it works! Go to the FAFSA help section and look for "signature page by mail" option.

After struggling with this same problem for weeks, I finally got through to a helpful agent at Federal Student Aid! I used Claimyr (claimyr.com) to skip the hours-long phone queue. You can see how it works in their video: https://youtu.be/TbC8dZQWYNQ The agent helped me troubleshoot and it turned out my browser extensions were causing the signature verification to fail. They walked me through the whole process in about 15 minutes. Definitely worth trying if you're still stuck!

@skeptical_student Yes, it's legitimate! I was hesitant too, but I was desperate after waiting on hold for 2+ hours multiple days in a row. It connected me directly to a FAFSA agent who actually knew what they were talking about. Saved me so much frustration.

Quick update on the signature page issue - I just got word from the Department of Education that they've identified a system bug affecting certain user accounts when attempting digital signatures. They're working on a fix, but in the meantime, here are the official workarounds: 1. Request a signature page by mail through the help section 2. Create a new FSA ID specifically for this application cycle (not ideal, but it works) 3. Use the mobile app instead of the website For anyone facing priority deadlines, make sure to contact your school's financial aid office directly. Most institutions are aware of this issue and can make accommodations while you wait for the signature problem to be resolved.

I tried everything suggested here and STILL had problems. What finally worked was completely counterintuitive. I had to use Microsoft Edge (not Chrome) on Windows (not Mac), and I had to use cellular data instead of wifi. Makes absolutely no sense but it finally went through. 🤷‍♂️

UPDATE: IT WORKED!!! I tried a combination of the suggestions here. I used a different device, cleared all browser data, made sure my name format matched my social security card exactly (including middle name), disabled all browser extensions, and most importantly - I tried at 5:30 AM when traffic was probably low. The signature finally went through! Thanks everyone for your help and suggestions. For anyone else struggling with this issue, don't give up - try all the different combinations suggested here.

Congratulations on getting it sorted out! 🎉 Your persistence really paid off. The 5:30 AM timing tip is brilliant - I never would have thought to try during off-peak hours. I'm bookmarking this whole thread because the combination of troubleshooting steps here is like a masterclass in FAFSA problem-solving. Really appreciate everyone sharing their experiences and solutions. This kind of community support is exactly what students need when dealing with these frustrating technical issues!

As someone who just went through this exact nightmare last month, I feel your pain! What ended up working for me was actually calling the Federal Student Aid Information Center early in the morning (around 7 AM EST) when call volume is lower. I got through in about 20 minutes instead of hours. The rep told me that there's been a known issue with certain browser cache conflicts that aren't fully resolved by normal clearing methods. She had me go into Chrome's developer tools (F12) and manually clear the application storage and service workers. Sounds technical but she walked me through it step by step. After that, the signature page worked perfectly. Worth trying before you resort to the mail option! Also, make sure you're not using any password managers or auto-fill extensions when you get to that page - they can interfere with the signature verification process.