FAFSA website error 'Unknown error has occurred' preventing login since January - anyone else?
I'm beyond frustrated at this point! Since mid-January, I keep getting this 'unknown error has occurred' message every time I try to log into my studentaid.gov account. I've verified both my mobile number and email (that part worked fine), but after that - BOOM - error message telling me to 'try again later or close all browser windows and start over.' I've tried different browsers (Chrome, Firefox, Edge), cleared my cache, even used my roommate's laptop, and NOTHING works! Called the FSA helpline twice but got disconnected after 45+ minutes of waiting each time. Has anyone else encountered this error? Any solutions? My SAI calculation is probably ready but I can't access it because of this stupid error!
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Olivia Martinez
I've been getting this exact error!!! It's so ANNOYING!! Been trying since February and the stupid website just won't load. :( I have a scholarship that needs my FAFSA info by next week and I'm starting to PANIC!!!
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Charlie Yang
•Have you tried using your phone? I was having the same issue but weirdly it worked when I used my iphone instead of my computer. There might be some browser compatibility thing going on with the new system.
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Grace Patel
This is a known issue with their verification system. Sometimes it shows your email/phone as verified but the internal system doesn't properly register it. Two things that helped some students I work with: 1. Wait 24 hours after verification before trying to log in again 2. Use the account recovery option instead of regular login 3. Make sure your browser allows third-party cookies (studentaid.gov uses these) If those don't work, you need to contact FSA directly to have them manually verify your account. Their system rollout this year has been extremely problematic.
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Lucas Kowalski
•Thanks for the tips! The 24-hour thing is interesting - I've been trying multiple times daily. I'll try the account recovery route too. My university's priority deadline is coming up soon so I'm getting really anxious about this.
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ApolloJackson
lol welcome to the wonderful world of FAFSA where nothing works right and we all suffer. i had this error and eventually it just randomly started working again after like 3 weeks. no idea why. government websites are the WORST.
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Lucas Kowalski
•3 weeks?! I don't think I can wait that long... my financial aid package depends on submitting this info ASAP. Did you just keep trying every day until it magically worked?
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Isabella Russo
After dealing with this same error for almost a month, I finally got it resolved! The key was actually speaking to a human being at FSA. I used a service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that holds your place in the phone queue and calls you when an agent is available. You can see how it works in this video: https://youtu.be/TbC8dZQWYNQ Once I got through, the agent explained that my account had been locked due to "multiple verification attempts" (which was just me trying to get in!). They were able to unlock it immediately. My SAI score was actually calculated and waiting for me once I could log in.
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Lucas Kowalski
•THANK YOU for this tip! I'm absolutely going to try this service. I'm desperate at this point and can't afford to miss my school's aid deadline because of a technical glitch.
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Charlie Yang
The financial aid office at my college said they're getting tons of calls about this error. Apparently it has something to do with the new FAFSA system rollout this year. They told me schools have been given extensions on some deadlines because of all the technical problems.
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Rajiv Kumar
•do u know if this applies to all schools or just yours? my deadline is next week and im freaking out!!
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Grace Patel
For anyone still experiencing this error, the Department of Education released a statement yesterday acknowledging the widespread login issues. They recommend: 1. Clearing your browser cache completely 2. Ensuring your FSA ID credentials are up-to-date 3. Trying during off-peak hours (early morning or late evening) 4. Using the mobile app instead of the website if possible They've also extended many institutional deadlines because of these technical difficulties. I recommend contacting your school's financial aid office to see if they've adjusted their deadlines.
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Lucas Kowalski
•This is super helpful, thank you! I just checked and my school did extend their priority deadline by two weeks. Still going to try to get this resolved ASAP though. Really appreciate the information!
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Dylan Wright
I'm dealing with this same exact issue! Been locked out since late January with that same "unknown error" message. What's really frustrating is that I can see my verification is complete, but then it just crashes when trying to access my actual FAFSA. I tried the mobile app suggestion from @Grace Patel and it actually got me one step further than the website, but still ultimately failed. Has anyone had success with the account recovery option? I'm worried about making it worse by trying too many different methods. Really hoping the Claimyr service @Isabella Russo mentioned works because I'm running out of options here!
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Isabella Santos
•Hey @Dylan Wright! I'm in literally the exact same boat - also locked out since late January with that frustrating "unknown error" message. I tried the account recovery option about a week ago and it actually made things worse - now I get a different error message about my account being "temporarily restricted." So maybe hold off on that until you exhaust other options? The Claimyr service that @Isabella Russo mentioned sounds really promising though. I m'planning to try that tomorrow morning. Also, have you checked if your school has extended their deadlines? Mine did by 2 weeks which bought me some breathing room. This whole situation is such a mess but at least we re'not alone in dealing with it!
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