FAFSA website giving 'unable right now' error when creating account - anyone else?
I've been trying to create a studentaid.gov account for the past 2 hours to start my FAFSA application, but keep getting the message 'unable right now, thanks for your patience'. I've tried different browsers (Chrome and Edge), cleared my cookies, and even tried on my phone. Still getting the same message! Is the FAFSA site down or something? Anyone else having this problem or know how to fix it? My college priority deadline is coming up in 3 weeks and I'm starting to panic!
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Bruno Simmons
This is a known issue with the studentaid.gov site that's been happening since they launched the 2025-2026 FAFSA. It's especially common during high-traffic periods (evenings and weekends). Try accessing the site between 5-7am EST when traffic is lowest. Also make sure you're using a non-public network - some people have reported issues when using public WiFi or VPNs.
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Lourdes Fox
•Thanks, I'll try early tomorrow morning. Any idea how long the process takes once I can actually get in? I need to gather parent info still but want to at least get started.
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Aileen Rodriguez
same thing hapend to me last week!!!! so anoying, i kept trying for like 4 days straight and then randomly it worked on tuesday morning. dont give up just keep trying different times
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Lourdes Fox
•4 DAYS?? I don't have that kind of time! My school's priority deadline for aid consideration is Feb 15th. This is so frustrating.
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Zane Gray
I experienced this exact error message when trying to set up my daughter's account. After days of frustration, I finally got through to a live FSA agent who explained they're experiencing system overloads due to the simplified FAFSA rollout. The agent was able to verify my identity and help troubleshoot. I discovered Claimyr (claimyr.com) which helped me bypass the usual 3+ hour wait time to speak with someone. Their service connected me to an agent in about 18 minutes. They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/TbC8dZQWYNQ The agent suggested trying between 4-6am or using the mobile app instead of the website, which eventually worked for us.
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Maggie Martinez
•is that service legit? seems sketchy to pay someone just to talk to fafsa people
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Zane Gray
•It worked for me, but you're right to be cautious. I was desperate after trying for days. The FSA agent I spoke with gave me specific steps to try, like clearing browser data and creating the account through the myStudentAid mobile app instead of the website. That combination finally worked.
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Alejandro Castro
This is a widespread issue affecting the new FAFSA system. I work in financial aid at a community college, and we've been hearing this from many students. Some technical points that might help: 1. Try the myStudentAid mobile app instead of the website 2. If using the website, try Firefox specifically (some weird compatibility issues with Chrome/Edge) 3. Disable any browser extensions before trying 4. Try creating your FSA ID first at fsaid.ed.gov before going to studentaid.gov 5. If none of that works, contact your school's financial aid office - many schools have been given workarounds we can share The Department of Education is aware of these issues but the fixes have been slow. Most importantly, document your attempts (screenshots with dates) in case you need to appeal deadline issues.
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Lourdes Fox
•Thank you so much for these detailed suggestions! I'll try the mobile app right now and Firefox next if that doesn't work. I didn't know about creating the FSA ID separately first - that might be what I'm missing.
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Monique Byrd
OMG the FAFSA system this year is GARBAGE!!!!! I've been trying since JANUARY to submit my application and keep getting different errors. First it was the parent contribution issues, then the SAI wouldn't calculate, now people can't even CREATE ACCOUNTS??? How are they this incompetent?? I've called 14 TIMES and never got through to anyone. My school is saying they can't offer me any financial aid packages until my FAFSA is processed, but I CAN'T EVEN SUBMIT IT!!!!
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Jackie Martinez
•While I understand your frustration, the new FAFSA system was designed to simplify the process and make aid more accessible. The rollout has been problematic due to the complete system overhaul. Your school's financial aid office should be able to help with deadline extensions given the widely acknowledged system issues. Have you tried speaking directly with your school?
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Monique Byrd
•Yes I've talked to my school and they just say "keep trying" and "we understand but we need your FAFSA data to calculate your package" which doesn't help me AT ALL when the system won't even let me SUBMIT!!!
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Lourdes Fox
UPDATE: I tried the mobile app suggestion and IT WORKED! I was able to create my FSA ID through the app, then log into the website with it. Now gathering all my tax documents to complete the application. Thanks everyone for your help!
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Bruno Simmons
•Glad to hear it worked! Just a heads-up - once you start entering information, save VERY frequently. The system has been known to time out during the data entry process, especially when entering parent contributor information. Also, have your 2023 tax returns ready, not 2024, as this FAFSA period still uses the prior-prior year tax information.
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Lourdes Fox
•Thanks for the tip! I'll make sure to save after every section. And yes, I have my 2023 returns ready. Now I just need to get my parents' info which will be... interesting. They're divorced and I'm not sure whose information I need to include.
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Alejandro Castro
•For divorced parents, you'll need to report information for the parent you lived with most during the past 12 months. If you split time equally, use the parent who provided more financial support. If that parent has remarried, you'll also need your step-parent's information. The other biological parent's information isn't required for FAFSA (though some schools may request it for institutional aid via the CSS Profile).
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Maggie Martinez
has anyone else noticed the fafsa site works better on certain days? i swear it never works on sundays lol
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Aileen Rodriguez
•omg ur right!! i got in on a tuesday morning but couldnt all weekend! maybe they do maintance on weekends??
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Mei Lin
I had the exact same issue last month! The "unable right now" error drove me crazy for days. What finally worked for me was trying at really off-peak hours - like 2-3 AM on weekdays. I know it sounds crazy, but I think their servers are just completely overwhelmed during normal hours. Also, try using an incognito/private browser window - sometimes cached data can interfere with the login process. The mobile app suggestion from others is solid too. Don't panic about your deadline - most schools are being flexible with FAFSA deadlines this year given all the system issues. You've got this!
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Mohamed Anderson
•Thank you so much for the reassurance about the deadlines! I was really starting to stress about that. The 2-3 AM idea is actually brilliant - I never would have thought to try the middle of the night. I'm definitely going to set an alarm and give it a shot tonight. Did you have any other issues once you actually got into the system, or was it smooth sailing after that initial login hurdle?
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Eli Butler
I'm dealing with this exact same issue right now! It's so frustrating because I keep hearing mixed advice - some people say try early morning, others say late at night, and I've even seen people recommend specific browsers. What's really stressing me out is that my school's financial aid office keeps telling me to "just keep trying" but they haven't given me any concrete workarounds. Has anyone found a pattern to when the site actually works? Like are there specific days of the week or times that seem more reliable? I'm willing to set multiple alarms if it means I can finally get past this error message!
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