Stuck on 'Processing' for 3 weeks with new FAFSA - how is everyone coping?

You're definitely not alone. The new system is processing applications much slower than promised. A few things that might help:\n\n1. Double-check your Student Aid Index (SAI) dashboard for any messages about missing information. Sometimes they need additional verification but don't send emails about it.\n\n2. Contact your school's financial aid office directly - explain your situation and ask if they'll extend their deadline since this is a nationwide FAFSA issue. Many schools are being flexible this year.\n\n3. If you haven't already, make sure all your tax information was properly transferred using the IRS Data Retrieval Tool. Sometimes this can cause processing delays.\n\nI submitted mine on September 8th and just got my SAI yesterday, so the wait times are definitely around 3-4 weeks right now.

Thanks for the tips! I checked the dashboard again and don't see any missing info notices. My taxes were done through the IRS tool too so that should be fine. \n\nDid you do anything special to get yours processed? I'm worried because my cousin applied a week after me and already got her SAI calculation!

this happend to me to but mine took 32 days to process!!! the new fafsa is garbage, just like all goverment things lol

32 DAYS?!? I'm going to lose my mind if I have to wait that long. Did you end up missing any school deadlines because of it?

The extended processing times are unfortunately very common with the new FAFSA system. Based on what we're seeing across multiple schools, the average processing time is now 18-25 days, with some taking over 30 days. Here's what's happening:\n\n1. The new SAI calculation is more complex than the old EFC formula\n2. The system is verifying more applications automatically (about 35% vs. 18% in previous years)\n3. The income protection allowance changes require additional review steps\n\nRegarding your school's deadline - contact them immediately with documentation showing when you submitted. Most institutions are adjusting their internal deadlines to accommodate these FAFSA delays. They can often place a hold on your file rather than marking it incomplete.\n\nIf you need to speak with someone at Federal Student Aid directly, try calling right when they open (8am Eastern) or use alternative contact methods like their virtual assistant or email system.

Thank you for the detailed explanation! I'll call my school tomorrow morning. Do you know if there's a specific FAFSA delay form I should ask for, or just explain the situation?

I was stuck in the same situation last week and completely losing my mind! After trying to call FSA for 3 days straight and getting nowhere, I found this service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that actually got me through to a real FSA agent in about 15 minutes. They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/TbC8dZQWYNQ\n\nThe agent I spoke with was able to see that my application actually had a flag for income verification that wasn't showing up on my dashboard. Once I uploaded the extra document they needed, my SAI was calculated within 48 hours. Might be worth trying if you're desperate to get answers.

does this realy work?? im on day 25 waiting and starting to panic

It worked for me! Definitely better than waiting on hold for hours or getting disconnected. The agent I talked to actually knew what was going on with my application.

Listen this new FAFSA is a COMPLETE DISASTER and it's not just you. My daughter applied in early September and we're STILL waiting for the SAI. Called FSA THREE TIMES and got different answers each time!!! First agent said

The frustration is completely understandable. One thing that might help - have your daughter's colleges provided any flexibility on their financial aid deadlines given the widespread FAFSA issues? Many schools have implemented special exception processes specifically for this situation.

ONE school extended their deadline but the others are just saying

just wondering, did u check if ur application has any errors? my roomate thought his was processing but actually there was an error with his parents contribution section that didn't show up as an alert

I didn't see any errors, but maybe they're hidden somewhere? Where did your roommate find the error notification?

he had to click on the actual application status and then there was like a little yellow triangle next to the parent section that u couldn't see from the main dashboard. worth checking maybe?

I work in a financial aid office at a community college, and I can tell you the new FAFSA has been incredibly challenging for everyone involved. Processing times are significantly longer than in previous years.\n\nSome practical steps I recommend:\n\n1. Document everything. Screenshot your submission confirmation with the date visible.\n\n2. Email your school's financial aid office with this proof of timely submission and specifically request an exception to their deadline due to FAFSA processing delays.\n\n3. Ask if your school offers any provisional aid packages based on your draft SAI or previous year's information while waiting for official FAFSA processing.\n\n4. If you're really concerned about your position on waitlists for institutional scholarships, see if your school will accept the FAFSA confirmation number as proof of application.\n\nWe're seeing average processing times of 21 days right now, with some taking over 4 weeks. Most schools are aware of this issue and making accommodations.

Thank you so much for this insider perspective! I've taken screenshots of my confirmation and pending status. I'll email my financial aid office tonight with those images attached. \n\nOne more question - do you know if the processing delay is affecting the actual amount of aid available? I'm worried about funds running out while I'm stuck waiting.

Great question. Federal aid (Pell Grants, federal loans) won't run out - they're guaranteed if you qualify. But institutional and state grants that have limited funding can be first-come, first-served. That's why documenting your original submission date is so important - many schools will use that date rather than final processing date for determining your place in line for limited funds.

UPDATE: I finally got my SAI calculation this morning! It took exactly 24 days from submission to processing completion. For anyone else stuck waiting, I did two things that might have helped:\n\n1. Used that Claimyr service mentioned above to reach an agent who confirmed there were no issues with my application - it was just in the processing queue.\n\n2. Had my school's financial aid office put a note on my file that I had submitted my FAFSA and was waiting for processing.\n\nThanks everyone for the advice and commiseration! This new system definitely needs improvement, but at least I can move forward with my financial aid now.

Great news! Glad you finally got your SAI. Did the number come in close to what you were expecting based on your financial situation?

Actually it's quite a bit lower than I expected (which is good since lower SAI = more aid)! I think the new formula must be more generous with the income protection allowance like someone mentioned above. Now I'm just waiting to see what my actual aid package looks like!