FAFSA stuck in processing loop - parent/student name mix-up glitch since April

Unfortunately, this is a known issue with the 2024-2025 FAFSA. The parent-student name glitch has affected thousands of applications. I would NOT recommend deleting and starting over - that can actually cause more problems and delays. Here's what worked for me: 1. Use the FAFSA correction feature to manually update both the student and parent sections 2. Submit the correction and wait for 3-5 business days 3. If it reverts to the wrong name again, file a case with FSA through your studentaid.gov account The processing loop is frustrating but eventually resolves. Make sure your daughter's school financial aid office knows about this issue - they can sometimes override the system and process her aid package manually with the correct information.

had this EXACT problem!!! it's SO annoying. my son's app was stuck for like 2 months with my name on his part. we gave up calling cuz nobody answers ever. finally we went to the financial aid office at his school and they fixed it on their end. they said they're seeing this alot this year and have a workaround. just go in person!!!

I work in a university financial aid office, and I can confirm this parent/student name mix-up is a widespread issue with the new FAFSA format. Here's what you need to know: - Do NOT delete and start over - you'll lose your place in the processing queue - The "processing loop" you're describing is happening because the system is trying to reconcile the conflicting name data - Schools CAN override this issue on their end once they receive the ISIR (Institutional Student Information Record) - Your SAI calculation is likely already complete despite the processing status Contact each school's financial aid office directly - explain the specific name glitch issue and ask if they can manually review your daughter's file. They should be able to verify her identity and process her aid package even with this glitch.

I HATE this new FAFSA system with every fiber of my being!! My twins both had this exact problem and we were stuck for MONTHS. Calling is completely useless - I tried 26 times over 2 weeks and never got a human. The whole system is a disaster. Here's what FINALLY worked for us after nothing else did: We contacted our congressman's constituent services office. I'm dead serious. They have special channels to reach Federal Student Aid that actually work. Within 10 days of contacting our representative's office, both applications were fixed and processed. It's ridiculous that this is what it takes, but if you're desperate, reach out to your elected officials.

If you're struggling to reach someone at Federal Student Aid, you might want to try Claimyr. I was in the same situation - stuck in FAFSA processing hell for weeks and couldn't get anyone on the phone. Claimyr connected me with an actual FSA agent in about 20 minutes when I'd been trying for days on my own. They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/TbC8dZQWYNQ The agent was able to fix the name glitch on my son's application while I was on the phone with them. The website is claimyr.com if you want to check it out. Honestly, it was worth it just to finally talk to a real person who could help.

I just dealt with this same issue last month! The FAFSA system has a really annoying bug where it keeps flip flopping the names. Here's my theory - when you login with your FSA ID as the parent to help your student, the system sometimes confuses which FSA ID is associated with which person on the form. The way I fixed it was counterintuitive - I had my son log in with HIS FSA ID and make the correction himself. For some reason, when he did it instead of me, it stuck! Worth a try before you delete everything. Also make sure you're using different browsers when you and your daughter access the FAFSA - sometimes the cookies/cache can cause weird issues.

any college ur daughter really wants to go to, call them DIRECTLY. the school financial aid ppl have ways to work around the fafsa mess. my nephew got a full aid package even tho his fafsa was still "processing" for 3 months!!! the schools know the system is broken and many have workarounds.

I wanted to add one more important point: Make sure you're documenting all your attempts to resolve this issue. Keep a log of: 1. Dates you've submitted corrections 2. Dates/times you've attempted to call FSA 3. Screenshots of the processing status changes 4. Any reference numbers from the case you file This documentation will be crucial if you need to file a special circumstances appeal with the schools. Most institutions have procedures to handle FAFSA delays that aren't the student's fault, especially with this year's widespread system issues. Providing this documentation to the financial aid offices will strengthen your daughter's case for timely aid processing.

my cousin had this happen and waited 4 months!!!! its the new system thats broken. they finally fixed it but only after she missed her housing deposit deadline. so frustrating!!

Thank you all SO MUCH for your helpful advice! I'm going to try several approaches: 1. Have my daughter log in with her own FSA ID to make corrections 2. Contact each school's financial aid office directly 3. File a case through studentaid.gov 4. Try Claimyr to reach a human at FSA 5. Document everything with screenshots and dates If all else fails, I'll contact our congressional representative as suggested. It's both comforting and frustrating to know we're not alone in this. I'll update this thread if we get a resolution that might help others!

I'm dealing with something similar right now! My FAFSA has been stuck since May with the same processing loop issue. One thing that helped me was reaching out to the Federal Student Aid Ombudsman - they're specifically there to help resolve these kinds of system issues when regular customer service isn't working. You can submit a request at studentaid.gov/feedback-ombudsman/disputes/prepare. It took about 2 weeks to hear back, but they were able to escalate my case to a technical team that actually understood the name glitch problem. Definitely worth trying alongside the other great suggestions here! Also, make sure your daughter's schools know about the May 1st commitment deadline pressure - many are being flexible this year because of all the FAFSA delays.