Paper FAFSA taking forever to process - anyone else having delays?

I had the same issue last year. Paper FAFSA took almost 8 weeks to process, not the 7-10 days they claim. The system is overwhelmed with the new FAFSA Simplification Act changes. I'd recommend submitting online if you can - the paper forms are definitely the slowest route. Your school's financial aid office can also submit the FAFSA for you if you bring them all your info.

paper fafsa is the WORST!!1! i did it last month cuz my laptop died and i still dont see mine in the system either. tried calling but cant get thru. the whole system is a joke tbh

I work in a financial aid office, and I can tell you that paper FAFSAs are taking 4-6 weeks minimum this year. The Department of Education is prioritizing electronic submissions. I strongly recommend you submit a new FAFSA online immediately and contact your school's financial aid office to explain the situation. Let them know you submitted a paper form but are now submitting online due to the deadline approaching. They can flag your account and watch for both submissions.

I had this exact problem but with my daughter's FAFSA last year. Paper form never showed up in the system. Called FSA like 20 times and kept getting disconnected. So frustrating! Finally had to just do an online one and she almost missed out on her housing grant because of the delay.

For the 2025-2026 FAFSA cycle, paper forms are significantly delayed due to the new SAI formula implementation and system overhaul. Here's what you should do: 1. Submit a new FAFSA electronically immediately 2. Document your original submission date with any proof you have 3. Contact your school's financial aid office with both submission information 4. Request priority deadline consideration based on your original paper submission date Most schools will honor the earlier submission date if you explain the circumstances. The key is documenting everything and communicating proactively with your school.

I submitted a paper FAFSA back in January because my FSA ID wasn't working and I finally saw it in the system after like 5 weeks. But then it got flagged for verification and I had to submit even MORE paperwork! Now I'm still waiting to get my SAI calculation. Paper is definitely the slowest way to go. If I were you I'd do online right away.

After you submit online, definitely use that Claimyr service someone mentioned to call FSA directly. They can check if both applications are in the system and merge them if needed, so you don't have conflicting information. Also, bring all your documentation to your financial aid office - they can often push special cases through faster when there's a deadline issue.

My cousin did paper FAFSA and it took forever too!!! But her school still counted her for priority aid cause she had the receipt from the post office showing when she mailed it. Maybe your school would accept that too if you still have it?

Update for everyone: The Department of Education just announced they're working through a backlog of paper FAFSAs from January and February. They're prioritizing electronic submissions and those with approaching school deadlines. This is why I always recommend electronic filing when possible, but for those who submitted paper forms, contacting both your school and FSA directly is your best course of action.

I'm so glad you got it sorted out! Your experience is exactly why I always tell people to go electronic if at all possible. The paper processing delays have been getting worse each year, and with all the FAFSA changes this cycle, it's been particularly brutal. For anyone else reading this thread who might be in a similar situation - don't wait! Submit online immediately and document everything. Most schools are understanding about these processing delays if you communicate proactively with their financial aid office. And definitely keep that postal receipt if you mailed a paper form - it's your proof of when you actually submitted!