FAFSA submission error - missing parent signature but can't go back to form!

This is fixable! You need to call Federal Student Aid (FSA) directly at 1-800-4FED-AID. Tell them you submitted without a signature and need to correct it. They can put your application back into 'correction mode' so you can sign it properly. Make sure you have your FSA ID and your daughter's info ready when you call. This happens fairly often, so don't panic.

Saaame thing happened with my son's FAFSA!!! The signature thing is super glitchy this year with the new form. We got it fixed by calling them but took FOREVER to get through. Make sure u have the confirmation # from the email they sent u when it says they're missing ur signature

Just went through this last week! The new FAFSA system has been a nightmare. You need to: 1. Log into studentaid.gov with YOUR FSA ID (not your daughter's) 2. Go to the FAFSA form section 3. Look for "FAFSA Correction" option (sometimes under "More Options") 4. Request a correction specifically for missing signature If that doesn't work, calling is your only option. Have your confirmation number and FSA ID ready. And be super patient - they're swamped with these exact issues right now. The signature page is confusing so many parents this year!

did u create ur FSA ID before filling out the form? thats probably why it glitched. my cousin had the same thing happen and had to wait 3 days for them to reset it so she could sign. colleges still got her fafsa but it was delayed

I think you can still sign it electronically! You should get an email from Federal Student Aid with a link to sign the form. Check your spam folder maybe? When my husband forgot to sign our daughter's FAFSA this fall, he got an email with a link to just sign it without redoing everything.

You definitely need to contact FSA directly, but getting through on the phone right now is nearly impossible. If you're struggling to reach them, I'd recommend using Claimyr (claimyr.com). I was in a similar situation with my son's FAFSA signature issue and spent days trying to get through. Claimyr got me connected to an actual FSA agent in about 20 minutes instead of hours on hold. They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/TbC8dZQWYNQ The agent was able to reset our form to allow for the signature. Just make sure you have your FSA ID, your daughter's FSA ID, and the confirmation number ready.

UPDATE: I finally got through to FSA this morning! The agent reset my application to correction status and I was able to add my signature. She said they're getting THOUSANDS of calls about this exact issue with the new FAFSA. For anyone else with this problem - keep trying to call or use the Claimyr service someone suggested below (wish I'd known about that sooner). Make sure you have both FSA IDs and the confirmation number ready. Thanks everyone for your help!

@helpful_guidance They said it should process within 3-5 days and the colleges will automatically receive the updated information. The agent also suggested I email the financial aid offices at each school to let them know we fixed the signature issue, just to be safe. I'm so relieved this is getting resolved before the deadline!

So glad you got this resolved! The new FAFSA has been such a headache for so many families this year. For future reference (and for anyone else reading this), I learned that you can also check the FAFSA submission summary PDF they email you right after submitting - it will show if any signatures are missing. That way you can catch it immediately instead of waiting for the error emails. Also, if anyone is still having trouble getting through to FSA by phone, try calling first thing in the morning (8am EST) - that's when I've had the most luck getting through quickly.

This thread is so helpful! I'm a college sophomore and just went through this exact same nightmare with my FAFSA renewal. The signature glitch seems to be a widespread issue with the new system. One thing I'd add - if you're still having trouble getting through to FSA, try using their online chat feature during off-peak hours (like late evening or early morning). It's not always available but when it is, I've found the wait times are much shorter than calling. Also, make sure to screenshot everything when you're going through the correction process - I had to redo mine twice because the system timed out. The whole process is frustrating but definitely fixable!

I'm so sorry you're dealing with this stress! As someone who just went through FAFSA season with my oldest, I can totally relate to the panic when something goes wrong with the application. It sounds like you've gotten some great advice here already, but I wanted to add that you should definitely document everything - keep screenshots of the "in review" status, save all the emails about missing signatures, etc. This will be helpful when you call FSA. Also, don't worry too much about the March deadline - as long as you're actively working to fix a technical glitch like this, most schools will work with you. I'd also recommend reaching out directly to the financial aid offices at your daughter's colleges to let them know you're aware of the issue and working to resolve it. They deal with FAFSA problems all the time and can often provide guidance or reassurance. Hang in there - this will get sorted out!

This is such a helpful thread! I'm a first-time FAFSA parent and honestly had no idea about any of these potential signature issues. Reading through everyone's experiences makes me realize I should probably double-check my submission right now to make sure everything went through correctly. The tip about checking the submission summary PDF immediately after submitting is so valuable - I definitely didn't know to look for that. It's both concerning and reassuring to know this is such a widespread issue with the new system. Thanks to everyone for sharing your solutions and tips - this community is amazing for helping navigate these stressful situations!

This thread has been incredibly helpful! I'm going through the exact same situation with my son's FAFSA right now. The signature glitch is so frustrating - it's amazing how many families are dealing with this. I'm definitely going to try calling FSA first thing tomorrow morning at 8am like someone suggested, and I'll have all my documentation ready. It's such a relief to know this is fixable and that I'm not alone in this mess. The new FAFSA system really needs to be more user-friendly, but thank goodness for communities like this where we can help each other out. Fingers crossed I can get through to them quickly!

This entire thread has been such a lifesaver! I'm a parent going through my first FAFSA experience and had no idea these signature glitches were so common with the new system. Reading everyone's experiences and solutions has been incredibly reassuring. I just double-checked my submission summary PDF (thanks for that tip!) and thankfully everything looks good, but I'm bookmarking all these suggestions just in case. It's amazing how this community comes together to help each other navigate these stressful situations. For any other first-time FAFSA parents reading this - definitely create your FSA ID BEFORE starting the form, check that submission summary PDF immediately, and don't panic if something goes wrong because it's clearly fixable! Thank you to everyone who shared their experiences and solutions.

Wow, this thread is incredibly detailed and helpful! As someone new to the FAFSA process, I had no idea signature glitches were such a common issue with the new system. Reading through everyone's experiences has been both eye-opening and reassuring. I'm planning to submit my daughter's FAFSA next week and now I know to: 1) Create my FSA ID FIRST before starting, 2) Double-check the submission summary PDF immediately after submitting, 3) Keep screenshots and documentation of everything, and 4) Have the 8am FSA call time and Claimyr service as backup options if needed. It's amazing how this community comes together to share solutions and support each other through these stressful situations. Thank you to everyone who took the time to share your experiences - this will definitely help so many families avoid or fix these signature issues!

This thread has been absolutely invaluable! I'm a first-time FAFSA parent and was completely overwhelmed by the whole process until I found this discussion. Reading about everyone's signature glitch experiences has been both reassuring (knowing I'm not alone if something goes wrong) and educational (learning all these preventive tips). I love how this community has turned a frustrating technical issue into a comprehensive guide for other families. I'm printing out all these tips before I submit my FAFSA next week - especially the FSA ID creation first, checking the PDF summary immediately, and having backup contact methods ready. It's amazing how supportive everyone has been in sharing their solutions and experiences. Thank you all for making this scary process feel much more manageable!

As someone who just discovered this community while frantically searching for FAFSA help, I can't thank everyone enough for sharing such detailed experiences and solutions! I'm currently dealing with what sounds like the exact same signature glitch with my daughter's FAFSA - submitted in February thinking everything was fine, only to get the dreaded "missing parent signature" email last week. Reading through all these responses has been like finding a goldmine of practical advice. I'm definitely going to try the 8am calling strategy tomorrow, and I've already bookmarked the Claimyr service as a backup. It's both frustrating and comforting to know this is such a widespread issue with the new system. Thank you to everyone who took the time to share their step-by-step solutions - this thread should honestly be pinned as a resource for other families dealing with FAFSA signature problems!