FAFSA won't save Social Security Number correction - need help when I can't call during business hours

The SAME thing happened to me last month!! Its so frustrating I was about to throw my laptop out the window lol. The problem is that once you submit the initial FAFSA application with the SSN, their system locks that field and you can't edit it online no matter what. My cousin works in a financial aid office and told me the only way to fix it is through direct FSA phone support, they have to verify your identity and manually override it. Email doesn't work for security reasons.

This is actually a security feature, not a glitch. The FAFSA system intentionally prevents online changes to SSNs to prevent identity theft. Here's what you need to do: 1. Call the Federal Student Aid Information Center at 1-800-433-3243 2. Have your FSA ID, date of birth, and current contact information ready 3. They'll ask several verification questions to confirm your identity 4. Request the SSN correction and they'll process it manually on their end During peak seasons (January-March), call volumes are highest early morning. Try calling right when they open at 8am ET for the shortest wait time, or during lunch hours when volume sometimes dips. You might need to take a quick break from work or call during your lunch break.

Ur financial aid office at school might be able to help u submit the correction. That's what I did when I had a name change problem. They have special access sometimes.

I actually used to work in a financial aid office, and unfortunately, colleges can't change SSNs in the FAFSA system. That's a restricted function that only Federal Student Aid agents can handle directly. The security around SSNs is extremely tight for obvious reasons. One option you have is to request a specific appointment time with FSA. While not widely advertised, if you explain your work situation, sometimes they can schedule a specific call time that works for you, though these are limited and may be a week or two out. Another option is to see if you can submit a written request with notarized documentation, though this takes longer to process. In any case, document everything. Send an email to your school's financial aid office explaining the situation and that you're actively trying to resolve it. Most schools will work with you if they know you're attempting to fix the issue, even if it goes slightly past their preferred deadline.

I was in a similar situation last semester - couldn't call during business hours because of my job constraints. After trying for WEEKS to get through during my breaks and getting disconnected repeatedly, I finally discovered this service called Claimyr that got me through to a FAFSA agent in about 15 minutes without waiting on hold myself. They basically wait on hold for you and call you when an agent is ready. I was skeptical but it actually worked. They have a demo video at https://youtu.be/TbC8dZQWYNQ that shows how it works. The service connects you directly to FSA agents who can make SSN corrections - saved me a ton of stress and I didn't have to keep missing work. Worth checking out at claimyr.com

FAFSA IS THE WORST!!!!!! I had this exact same problem but with my mom's SSN (I'm a dependent student). We called like 6 times and spent HOURS on hold only to be disconnected TWICE right before getting to a human!!! The third time we finally got someone who fixed it in like 2 minutes. The whole system is designed to be as difficult as possible I swear. Good luck, you're gonna need it :

A follow-up tip based on my experience: When you do manage to reach FSA, ask them to note in your account that you've requested the SSN correction. That documentation is important. Also, once they make the correction, it takes about 3-5 business days to fully process in their system. After that, you should immediately contact your school's financial aid office to confirm they've received the updated information. The school won't automatically be notified of the correction - the updated FAFSA data needs to be reprocessed and transmitted. If you're getting close to your school's deadline, definitely submit a written explanation to your financial aid office about the situation. Most institutions have provisions for processing delays that are beyond the student's control, especially for SSN issues which they know can only be resolved directly through FSA.

I went thru this last year. Super annoying. Something weird that worked for me: call RIGHT at 8am but select the Spanish language option. I don't speak Spanish but the agents are usually bilingual and the Spanish queue had WAY shorter wait times. When I got an agent I just politely explained I hit the wrong option and they still helped me. Got thru in about 15 min instead of 2 hours!

Thank you everyone for all the helpful suggestions! I've decided on a game plan: 1) I'll contact my financial aid office tomorrow to explain the situation and ask for any accommodation with their deadline, 2) Try the Claimyr service since that seems like my best option with my work schedule, and 3) If that doesn't work, I might have to bite the bullet and request a short personal leave from one morning shift. I'll update once I get this resolved in case anyone else runs into the same problem!

Good luck with your plan! Just wanted to add that when you do get through to FSA (whether through Claimyr or direct calling), make sure to get a confirmation number or case reference number for the SSN correction. I learned this the hard way when my correction didn't go through the first time and I had no way to reference my previous call. Also, if you do end up using the Spanish line trick, be prepared that some agents might redirect you back to the English queue anyway - it's hit or miss depending on the agent. Keep us posted on how it goes!

Just wanted to add another option that might help - some hospitals have employee assistance programs (EAPs) that can help with personal administrative issues during work hours. I know it sounds random, but when I was having issues with my student loans while working at a medical center, HR told me about this service. They sometimes have staff who can make calls on your behalf or help coordinate with agencies like FSA. It might be worth checking with your HR department to see if your hospital offers anything like this. Also, if you're part of a union, they sometimes have advocates who can help with these kinds of bureaucratic nightmares. Just another avenue to explore while you're trying the other suggestions!

Hey Natasha! I just went through this exact same nightmare last semester and wanted to share what finally worked for me. I'm also a healthcare worker (nurse) with similar schedule constraints. After trying everything you mentioned, I discovered that some FSA agents work extended hours for "emergency" cases - if you explain that you're a healthcare worker who literally cannot call during regular business hours, they sometimes have agents available until 1pm ET specifically for essential workers. When I called and explained my situation as a hospital employee, they transferred me to a specialized queue. It took about 3 weeks to get the appointment, but they called me at exactly the scheduled time and fixed my SSN issue in under 10 minutes. Ask specifically about "essential worker accommodation" when you call. Also, definitely document everything with your school's financial aid office ASAP - most schools have hardship extensions for federal processing delays. You've got this!