Nelnet system maintenance error blocking my FAFSA loan information - what's happening?

Yes, Nelnet has been doing this "scheduled maintenance" for several days now. It's extremely frustrating. I called their customer service line yesterday (waited 45 minutes!), and they said the system should be back up within 24 hours. That was obviously incorrect since it's still down. The rep mentioned they're updating their systems to accommodate the new FAFSA changes for 2025-2026, but couldn't give me a firm timeline.

I dealt with this last week. The maintenance message is misleading - it's not actually scheduled maintenance, they're having server issues they haven't publicly acknowledged. You can still get your loan information by calling them directly, but be prepared for LONG wait times. I was on hold for over 2 hours before speaking to a representative. Once you get through, ask specifically for your "loan disbursement summary" and your "current repayment status" - those are the two pieces you need for the FAFSA parent contribution section. They can email these to you while you're on the phone.

Nelnet always does this!! Every year during FAFSA time they have "maintenance" that takes forever. I swear they do it on purpose to make our lives harder. Last year I had to submit my FAFSA application without the correct loan info and then had to go through the whole correction process after. It delayed my financial aid package by almost a month!!

i had same problem last night tried again this morning still down :( my mom is freaking out cause she thinks were gonna miss the priority deadline for my school

I found a workaround! If you have the Nelnet mobile app, some people (including me) have been able to access their loan information there even while the website shows the maintenance message. The app interface is terrible for detailed information, but you can at least see your current loan balance and status, which should be enough for FAFSA purposes. Worth trying!

guys i went through this exact same thing last month when trying to do my fafsa. i was calling nelnet for THREE DAYS straight and couldnt get through to anyone!!! i kept getting disconnected after waiting for hours. my roommate told me about this service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that helps you skip the phone wait. i was skeptical but tried it and got through to a nelnet rep in like 15 minutes! they have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/TbC8dZQWYNQ the nelnet person was able to give me all my loan info over the phone and even emailed me a summary i could use for my fafsa. saved me so much stress honestly.

Update: The site is finally working for me now. Looks like they finally completed their "scheduled maintenance" after nearly 4 days! Of course it happens right after I spent hours on the phone...

For anyone still having issues, here's what you need to know: 1. Nelnet's system maintenance is related to implementing changes for the 2025-2026 FAFSA simplification. 2. You have three options to get your loan information: - Keep trying the website (it's coming back online gradually) - Call directly (1-888-486-4722) with your FSA ID ready - Use the workaround of checking recent loan statements 3. If you're on a deadline, document your attempts and contact your school's financial aid office immediately to explain the situation. Most schools have procedures for handling FAFSA delays due to servicer issues. 4. Remember that for the new FAFSA, you'll need your current loan status and disbursement amounts, but NOT the detailed payment history that was required in previous years. Hope this helps reduce some stress during an already complicated process!

Just wanted to add my experience for anyone still dealing with this - I was stuck in the same situation yesterday and tried calling Nelnet multiple times but kept getting disconnected. What finally worked for me was calling early in the morning (around 7 AM EST) when their lines first opened. Got through in about 30 minutes instead of the 2+ hour waits people are reporting later in the day. The rep was super helpful and emailed me a detailed loan summary within 10 minutes of our call ending. If you're still struggling to get through, try calling right when they open at 7 AM - seems like that's when you have the best chance of actually reaching someone!