FAFSA website glitch: Student stuck in asset screen loop with December loan deadline approaching

I had this exact same issue! The FAFSA site has been so buggy since they launched the new 'simplified' version. Try having her log out completely, then wait at least 30 minutes before logging back in (actual timer, not just guessing). When she logs back in, DON'T click on 'resume FAFSA' but instead click 'Start New FAFSA' - it will actually pull up her existing application but sometimes bypasses these weird loops. Also, make sure she's entering EXACT DOLLAR AMOUNTS with no cents in the asset fields - even $.01 can cause it to loop.

tell her to try using edge browser. chrome made mine do some weird stuff but edge worked. also make sure she's entering $0 in any field thats empty not just leaving it blank thats what fixed mine

THIS FAFSA SYSTEM IS A COMPLETE DISASTER!!! My son had the EXACT same asset loop problem and missed his fall aid because of it. We called TWENTY TIMES and got disconnected every single time. It's CRIMINAL how they roll out a completely broken system and expect students to just deal with it. Tell her to document EVERYTHING - screenshots, dates of calls, names of anyone she talks to. She might need to file a formal appeal with her school's financial aid office explaining the technical issues.

My daughter ran into this too. What finally worked was completing the form at like 2am when the system wasn't overwhelmed with traffic. Also, if she has ANY special characters in her password (like $!%&), have her change it to just letters and numbers - the system glitches with special characters sometimes. And a totally weird tip but it worked: have her try entering a slightly different amount in the asset fields (even if just $1 different) to force the system to recognize it as a new entry. These tricks got us past that loop!

I work in a college financial aid office, and this asset screen loop is unfortunately a common issue with the new FAFSA. In addition to the browser solutions others have mentioned, here are some specific things she should try: 1. Make sure ALL asset fields have values (use 0 if needed) 2. Don't use commas in any number fields 3. If reporting investments, make sure she's using the correct categories 4. Try accessing the form using the myStudentAid mobile app instead of browser If none of these work, she should immediately contact her college's financial aid office about a FAFSA filing extension and possible professional judgment review. Most schools have emergency procedures for students caught in these technical issues. They can potentially extend her emergency loan deadline while this gets sorted out or offer alternative emergency funds.

Have you guys tried Claimyr? When my son was having endless FAFSA technical issues, we kept getting hung up on when calling Federal Student Aid. Someone recommended Claimyr (claimyr.com) and it got us connected to an actual human at FSA in about 15 minutes instead of waiting for hours. They have this video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/TbC8dZQWYNQ The agent was able to manually override something in the system on their end that fixed our looping issue. Definitely worth trying since you're facing that December deadline!

I'm a college counselor and want to mention another option regarding that emergency loan. If the FAFSA technical issues don't get resolved quickly, she should immediately request a payment plan extension from her school's bursar/student accounts office. Most schools have hardship extensions for situations exactly like this where the delay isn't the student's fault. She should explain the technical issues, provide screenshots of the error, and ask for an extension until her FAFSA can be processed. Many schools will approve this, especially with documentation.

Ugh my sister had this same prblm last yr. She ended up having to use her boyfriends laptop and it magically worked?? The FAFSA is such garbage now, my SAI score was completely wrong and they counted my parents retirement as assets which isnt even supposed to count!!! If the browser stuff doesn't work tell her to go to the financial aid office IN PERSON - they sometimes have direct access to override these glitches.

One more tip I forgot to mention - if she's still stuck after trying everything here, have her create a completely new FSA ID (different email address) and start a new application. She'll have to re-enter everything, but sometimes that's the only way to break out of these technical loops. Just make sure she withdraws the original application first so she doesn't have duplicate applications in the system.

UPDATE: My niece tried several of your suggestions and FINALLY got through the loop! What worked was a combination of: using Microsoft Edge, filling ALL fields with exact dollar amounts (no cents or commas), and doing it at 1am when traffic was low. She's submitted her FAFSA and got confirmation! Now we're working with her school's financial aid office about extending that emergency loan deadline. Thank you all SO MUCH for your help - this community is amazing!