FAFSA stuck at 'In Progress' after both signatures - won't proceed to 'Submitted' stage

This is actually a known glitch in the new BETA version of the FAFSA portal. I've helped about 15 families with the exact same issue at the college where I work. The problem is that while both signatures show as complete, there's a backend verification step that's failing to trigger. Here's what actually works (not what the phone rep told you): 1. Do NOT cancel your application 2. Log out completely 3. Wait exactly 24 hours (seriously, the system runs a batch process) 4. Log back in using a private/incognito browser window 5. Go to the review page and click "Submit" again even though it shows you already signed In 13 out of 15 cases, this pushed the application through to Stage 2. The other two needed to call FSA directly for a manual override.

omg im having the exact same problemmm!!! signed with my mom last week and still stuck on stage 1. so annoying!! called twice and got disconnected both times after waiting forever. let me know if u figure it out plz

I had a similar issue but mine was because I signed my part but my daughter actually hadn't completed her signature properly - even though the system showed she had. We had to go back to the signature page and there was a tiny checkbox she missed. Might be worth double-checking all the signature fields.

After helping hundreds of families with FAFSA issues this year, I can tell you this is unfortunately common with the new system. What's happening is a database synchronization issue between the signature verification system and the main application database. A few technical solutions you can try: 1. Try the 24-hour reset method mentioned above 2. If that doesn't work, check if your SAI (Student Aid Index) calculation is visible anywhere on your dashboard - if it is, the application IS actually complete despite showing Stage 1 3. Look for any alerts or messages in both the student and parent portals The most reliable solution is contacting FSA directly, but as you've discovered, the phone lines are swamped. If you're approaching important deadlines, I'd recommend using Claimyr (claimyr.com) - it's a service that holds your place in the FSA phone queue and calls you when an agent is available. They have a video demo at https://youtu.be/TbC8dZQWYNQ that shows how it works. Several of my advisees have used it successfully to resolve these submission glitches without waiting for hours.

Is anyone else just COMPLETELY FED UP with this entire new FAFSA system?? This is my third child going to college and I have NEVER experienced such a disaster. The old system worked fine! Why did they have to "fix" something that wasn't broken?? My daughter may lose her scholarship opportunities because of these delays. I've been stuck in the exact same spot as you for THREE WEEKS now. Called 8 times. Emails go unanswered. This is beyond incompetence - it's negligence that's hurting real students. I'm contacting my congressperson about this tomorrow.

I dealt with this last week! What worked for me was super weird but maybe try it? Login to both accounts (yours and your son's) on different devices at the EXACT same time. Then have your son go to the submission confirmation page while you go to your contributor dashboard. Then have your son click the "review submission" button (not submit, but review) at the exact same time you refresh your dashboard. I know it sounds like tech voodoo but it worked for me and another parent I know.

UPDATE: IT WORKED!!! I followed @practical_solution's advice - waited 24 hours, used incognito mode, and clicked submit again. The system showed a weird error message at first, but then refreshed to Stage 2! My son's status now shows "FAFSA Form Submitted" with today's date. No need to re-sign or re-enter anything. THANK YOU to everyone who responded with suggestions. For anyone else having this issue - definitely try the 24-hour reset method before starting over.

So glad to hear it worked for you! One more tip for future reference - take screenshots of your confirmation page and save the confirmation number. The new system has been known to occasionally revert statuses, and having proof of submission can save you headaches later.