FAFSA website won't let me edit before signing/submitting - stuck with wrong info
Is anyone else having this ridiculous issue with the new FAFSA website? I'm trying to complete my daughter's 2025-2026 application, but I made some errors in the income section. Now I can't go back to edit BEFORE signing/submitting! The only option under 'Actions' is 'Delete' - no edit button anywhere!\n\nI tried all the usual fixes - cleared cache, switched from Chrome to Firefox, logged out/in multiple times. Nothing helps. Text support was useless - just repeated the same troubleshooting steps I'd already tried.\n\nPhone support actually suggested I submit the form with KNOWN ERRORS and then try to edit after submission. Are they insane? I'd be digitally signing that all information is correct when I know it isn't! That seems like a terrible idea legally.\n\nI refuse to delete and redo the entire application (it took 3+ hours with all the new contributor sections). But I also can't submit incorrect information I'd be certifying as accurate.\n\nHow is this basic website functionality missing? There should at least be a warning that you need to complete everything perfectly in one sitting! Anyone found a workaround for editing before submission?
22 comments


Isabella Oliveira
I ran into this EXACT problem last week with my son's FAFSA. The new system is completely broken compared to the old one. What finally worked for me was using the mobile app instead of the website - for some reason it let me edit sections before signing. The whole new SAI calculation system is frustrating enough without these technical problems!
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Malik Jackson
Thank you! I didn't even think to try the mobile app. Will download it right now and see if that works for me too. The redesign is such a nightmare - why would they remove basic functionality?
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Ravi Patel
same here!! tried for 2 weeks to edit my parents income info. keep getting error messages. this new fafsa is THE WORST
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Malik Jackson
2 weeks?! That's ridiculous. Have you tried calling them? (Though their phone support wasn't helpful at all for me...
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Freya Andersen
This is a known issue with the new FAFSA system. To fix it, you need to:\n\n1. Go to your dashboard\n2. Click on the application (don't select any actions)\n3. Look for the small \
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Malik Jackson
Thank you so much for these detailed steps! I looked for that Review link and it's not showing up for me, but I'll try the mobile app route. It's reassuring to hear corrections aren't as risky as I feared, but I'd still prefer to get it right before signing if possible.
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Omar Zaki
FAFSA is a JOKE this year!! My niece lost her entire application TWICE and had to restart from scratch! The whole system needs to be scrapped and they should go back to the old form until they can make something that actually works. My tax dollars at work smh
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CosmicCrusader
They actually did extend all the deadlines because of these issues. Most schools pushed priority deadlines from Feb 1 to March 1 or later. Doesn't excuse the problems but at least gives people more time to deal with this mess.
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Chloe Robinson
I've been trying to reach someone at Federal Student Aid for THREE DAYS about this same issue. I finally got through using Claimyr (claimyr.com) - it holds your place in line and calls you back when an agent is available. Saved me hours of hold time! There's a video demo here: https://youtu.be/TbC8dZQWYNQ\n\nThe agent confirmed it's a known bug and gave me a specific workaround: try using an incognito/private browsing window and log in that way. Sometimes the edit buttons appear there when they don't in regular browsing mode. Worked for me!
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Malik Jackson
Thanks for this suggestion! I'll try the incognito window right away. And I appreciate the Claimyr tip - might use that if I can't resolve this soon. The hold times are ridiculous.
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Ravi Patel
just tried claimyr and got thru in 20 min after being on hold for 2hrs yesterday!! they helped fix my issue!!
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Diego Flores
I'm a college financial aid counselor, and we're seeing this issue frequently. Here's what I tell students:\n\n1. The new FAFSA desperately needs UX improvements, and they are coming in updates\n2. Don't panic about submitting with minor errors - the verification system understands there will be corrections needed\n3. Take screenshots of everything as you go\n4. Document all attempts to fix issues (dates, times, support agent names)\n5. Try different devices - sometimes tablets work when computers don't\n\nAlso, most schools are being VERY understanding about FAFSA issues this year. The rollout has been challenging for everyone, and financial aid offices nationwide are adapting their processes to accommodate these problems.
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Malik Jackson
Thank you so much for this professional perspective! It's reassuring to know schools understand these issues. I was worried about how errors might affect my daughter's aid package. I'll try different devices as suggested.
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Isabella Oliveira
The most ridiculous part is they had an EXTRA YEAR to develop this system (remember the FAFSA Simplification Act was delayed) and it's STILL this broken. My daughter's school financial aid office told me they're seeing unprecedented numbers of students struggling with the new system.
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CosmicCrusader
And all this for a \
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Malik Jackson
UPDATE: The mobile app suggestion worked! I was able to edit the income information before signing. For anyone else facing this issue, definitely try the app instead of the website.\n\nA big THANK YOU to everyone who helped! This community saved me from having to redo everything or submit incorrect information.
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Freya Andersen
Great news! Glad it worked out for you. This is exactly why forums like this are so valuable - the official support channels clearly aren't enough with all these new system issues.
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Chloe Robinson
Awesome! Make sure to save/screenshot EVERYTHING as you go in case something else breaks. I've learned the hard way...
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GalaxyGuardian
So glad to see this resolved! The mobile app workaround is definitely something more people need to know about. I'm bookmarking this thread because I know I'll be helping other families with FAFSA issues over the next few months. The fact that basic editing functionality works differently (or doesn't work at all) between the website and mobile app really shows how rushed this rollout was. Hopefully they'll get these bugs fixed soon, but in the meantime at least we have community solutions like this!
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Connor O'Neill
•Exactly! This thread should be pinned somewhere - it's like a crowdsourced troubleshooting guide that's more helpful than the official support. I'm new here but already seeing how much this community helps each other navigate these FAFSA disasters. The mobile app workaround is genius and I never would have thought to try that. Definitely saving this for when I help my younger siblings with their applications next year!
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Andre Moreau
I'm so frustrated with this exact same issue! Been stuck for days trying to edit my son's FAFSA before submitting. The mobile app tip is brilliant - downloading it now. It's crazy that we have to resort to workarounds for basic functionality that should just work. Thanks everyone for sharing your solutions, this is way more helpful than the official support has been!
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Emma Davis
•Welcome to the community! You're definitely not alone in this frustration - the mobile app workaround has been a lifesaver for so many people dealing with this editing bug. Hope it works for your son's application too! It's really disappointing that we have to find these workarounds ourselves, but at least this community has each other's backs when the official channels fall short. Let us know if the mobile app fixes it for you!
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