FAFSA stuck 'In Review' since March 15th but no updates - submitted Jan 24
I submitted my FAFSA application on January 24th, 2024 and it's been showing 'In Review' status since March 15th with no changes whatsoever. It's been almost two months now and I'm starting to get really anxious. The website shows 'last updated 3/15' but nothing has happened since then. Does this mean they're actually working on it or is it just sitting in some digital pile somewhere? Has anyone else had their application stuck in review for this long? I'm worried because some of my college financial aid deadlines are approaching and I don't know what to do if this doesn't get processed soon.
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Amaya Watson
mine has been stuck since Feb 27 with no updates... getting super frustrating bc my school needs my SAI score by May 1st or I might lose my housing spot. i wish they'd tell us SOMETHING about whats going on!!
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Tristan Carpenter
•May 1st?? Omg that's coming up so fast. Have you tried calling them? I'm wondering if we should just keep waiting or if we need to take action.
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Grant Vikers
This is actually pretty common this year with the new FAFSA system. Many applications are taking 6-8 weeks in review status before final processing. The good news is that most schools are aware of the delays and have adjusted their financial aid deadlines accordingly. I would suggest contacting your specific colleges' financial aid offices to explain the situation and ask if they have extended their deadlines.
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Tristan Carpenter
•Thank you for explaining! I'll definitely reach out to my schools. Do you know if there's any way to check if they're actually processing it or if there's an issue with my application specifically?
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Grant Vikers
•You can't see the specific processing status beyond 'In Review,' unfortunately. But if there was a major issue with your application, they would typically change the status to something like 'Action Required' or 'Additional Information Needed.' Since it says 'In Review,' it's most likely just in the processing queue.
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Giovanni Martello
my daughter's took 7 WEEKS to process and then suddenly we got the SAI score! no warning, just suddenly completed. hang in there
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Tristan Carpenter
•That actually gives me some hope! Did you do anything to speed it up or did it just randomly complete?
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Giovanni Martello
•just randomly completed! we were about to call them when we checked that morning and it was done. the whole system is a mess this year
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Savannah Weiner
The FAFSA system is COMPLETELY broken this year!!! I applied in January too and had to call TWELVE TIMES before I finally got someone to look at my application. Every time I called it was 3+ hour wait times and half the time I got disconnected. This new system is the absolute WORST. They should have never rolled it out without proper testing. Now students everywhere are suffering because of their incompetence!!!!
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Levi Parker
•same i got disconnected 4 times trying to call them its ridiculous
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Tristan Carpenter
•Wow that sounds awful. I'm really nervous about calling because I don't want to waste hours just to get disconnected. Did you eventually get it resolved by calling?
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Libby Hassan
I was in the same situation and finally got my application processed after weeks of waiting. If you need to call FSA, I'd recommend using Claimyr (claimyr.com). They hold your place in line and call you back when an agent is available instead of you having to wait on hold for hours. They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/TbC8dZQWYNQ I was skeptical at first but it saved me from sitting on hold for 3+ hours, and the agent I got was actually helpful in pushing my application through the review process. Might be worth trying if you're really concerned about those upcoming deadlines.
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Tristan Carpenter
•I've never heard of this service before. Has anyone else tried it? I'm desperate at this point but nervous about using something I'm not familiar with.
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Levi Parker
•i used it last week when i was freaking out about my fasfa. it works but theres still a wait, just not on your actual phone. agent told me they're processing jan applications now so youre probably coming up soon
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Hunter Hampton
Financial aid advisor here - I want to clarify a few things about the current processing situation: 1. The Department of Education is aware of the delays and has been working through applications chronologically (with some exceptions for urgency). 2. Applications submitted in January are indeed being processed now, but the queue is substantial. 3. Most institutions have adjusted their priority deadlines specifically because of these FAFSA delays. 4. Your 'In Review' status updating on 3/15 is actually a good sign - it means your application passed the initial checks and is in the verification queue. 5. If you contact your schools' financial aid offices, ask specifically about their "FAFSA delay accommodation policy" - most have one in place this year. The new FAFSA system has indeed been challenging, but rest assured your application isn't lost - it's just moving through a significantly backlogged system.
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Tristan Carpenter
•Thank you so much for this detailed explanation! This is really helpful. I'll definitely ask about the FAFSA delay accommodation policy. Is there anything specific I should have ready when I contact my school's financial aid office?
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Hunter Hampton
•Have your FAFSA confirmation number and submission date ready. Also prepare a list of any colleges you listed on your FAFSA. If your school asks for proof of submission, you can provide the confirmation email you received when you initially submitted your application. Some schools may also ask for your Expected Family Contribution (EFC) from last year if you applied previously, as they can sometimes use that for preliminary aid estimates.
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Amaya Watson
just checking back - any updates?? mine finally processed yesterday after 8 weeks!! got my sai score and everything
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Tristan Carpenter
•YES! Mine actually just processed this morning! SAI score is higher than I expected but at least it's done. Now I need to figure out what this means for my aid packages... but what a relief!
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