UConn denying school aid due to FAFSA 'processing delay' - submitted on time!
I'm so frustrated right now and hoping someone might have dealt with this before. I filled out my FAFSA for 2025-2026 and submitted it on January 11, which was before UConn's priority deadline (January 15). I qualified for federal aid (got my Pell Grant approved), but when my financial aid package arrived from UConn, there was ZERO institutional aid. When I called the financial aid office, they said I "missed the deadline" because although I submitted on January 11, they didn't RECEIVE it until January 16 due to "processing time" at Federal Student Aid!? They're saying I have to go through a formal appeal process now to prove I submitted on time. I have the confirmation email showing January 11, but the advisor acted like this happens all the time and most appeals get denied. Has anyone dealt with this ridiculous technicality before? How is it my fault that FSA took days to process my application? UConn is literally punishing me for something completely out of my control!
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Lauren Johnson
omg thats absurd!! how r u supposed to control how fast FAFSA processes ur application?? my brother had something similar happen with rutgers last yr... he had to file an appeal and it took like 3 months to resolve
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William Schwarz
•3 MONTHS?? I can't wait that long! Did they eventually give him the institutional aid or did they deny it? I'm supposed to make a decision by May 1st!
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Jade Santiago
This is a common issue with institutions that have strict priority deadlines. The key is understanding the difference between your FAFSA submission date (which you can prove with your confirmation email) and the institution's receipt date (which is what they're using). For your appeal, you'll need to submit: 1. Your FAFSA submission confirmation showing the January 11 date 2. A detailed letter explaining the circumstances 3. Any documentation of your efforts to submit early UConn should have a formal appeal process through their financial aid office. Their policy technically allows them to enforce the receipt date, but most schools will make exceptions when you can prove you submitted before their deadline.
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Caleb Stone
•This is excellent advice. I worked in financial aid at a large university for 8 years, and I can confirm most schools will accept your appeal if you have documentation showing you submitted before their deadline. The processing delay is a known issue in the system. Make sure to use the exact phrase "FAFSA processing delay beyond student control" in your appeal letter - this is language that financial aid offices recognize from federal guidance.
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Daniel Price
I had the EXACT same problem with UConn two years ago!! It's totally ridiculous and I think they do this on purpose to save money on institutional aid. I submitted my appeal with the confirmation email and they initially DENIED it claiming "all students face the same processing times" which is such BS. I had to escalate to the director of financial aid and threatened to contact the Department of Education before they finally reversed their decision. Fight this hard!!!
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Olivia Evans
•I'm hearing about this issue more and more with various schools. It's almost like they're using the processing delay as a technicality to reduce their institutional aid budget. The fact that they're acknowledging it was submitted on time but still denying aid seems potentially reportable to the Department of Education. Has anyone actually filed a complaint about this practice?
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Sophia Bennett
wow this is crazy, i had no idea schools could pull this kinda thing! good luck with ur appeal
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Aiden Chen
I've been trying to call FAFSA for THREE WEEKS to get a copy of my processing timestamp to help with exactly this kind of situation (different school though). Every time I call, I wait for hours and either get disconnected or have to hang up because I need to get to work. How are students supposed to navigate this system when you can't even reach a human?!?!
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Zoey Bianchi
•Have you tried using Claimyr? I was stuck in the same endless hold pattern trying to reach FSA about my verification issue. I found this service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that basically waits on hold for you and calls you when they get an agent. Saved me literally hours of hold time. They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/TbC8dZQWYNQ
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Jade Santiago
One thing I forgot to mention - make sure you're following up on your appeal weekly. These offices are overwhelmed, and the squeaky wheel often gets the grease. Be polite but persistent, and document every conversation (date, time, who you spoke with, what was said). This documentation can be valuable if you need to escalate.
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William Schwarz
•That's good advice. I'll start keeping a contact log. I actually just called again and spoke to someone different who seemed more understanding. She said they've had several appeals like mine already. Apparently the new FAFSA system is causing all kinds of delays they didn't anticipate.
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Sophia Bennett
My cousin goes to UConn and she said they did the same thing to her roommate last year!
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William Schwarz
UPDATE: I submitted my appeal yesterday with my confirmation email, screenshots of my FAFSA account showing the submission date, and a letter explaining the situation (using the exact phrasing about "processing delay beyond student control"). They said it will take 2-3 weeks to review. I'll keep everyone posted on what happens!
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Caleb Stone
•Great job getting your appeal submitted quickly! While you wait, I suggest contacting your admissions counselor as well (not just financial aid). Sometimes they can advocate for you behind the scenes, especially if you're a strong candidate they want to enroll. Also, be prepared with a backup plan - look into private scholarships that might help fill the gap in case the appeal isn't successful.
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Olivia Evans
This is exactly why the whole financial aid system needs reform. The new FAFSA was supposed to make things easier, but it's created so many new problems. Schools are using technicalities to deny aid, the processing times are absurd, and the burden always falls on students to navigate this bureaucratic maze. I'd suggest also contacting your congressional representative - they often have staff who can help with federal aid issues.
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Daniel Price
•THIS!!! The system is totally broken. And it's always the students who suffer. Congressional reps can definitely help - my brother got his verification issue resolved in days after months of runaround when he contacted his congressman's office.
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Lauren Johnson
pls keep us updated!! rooting for u!!
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William Schwarz
FINAL UPDATE: Great news! My appeal was approved! It took about 2 weeks, but I just received an email that they're revising my financial aid package to include institutional grants. The email specifically mentioned that they verified my original FAFSA submission date and acknowledged the processing delay wasn't my fault. HUGE thanks to everyone here for the advice - especially about using specific language in my appeal letter and contacting my admissions counselor (who did advocate for me!). For anyone dealing with this issue in the future, DON'T GIVE UP! Document everything, be persistent, and appeal immediately!
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Caleb Stone
•Congratulations! This is fantastic news. I'm so glad you persisted and got the outcome you deserved. This is a great reminder that appealing financial aid decisions often works, especially when you have documentation to support your case.
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Sophia Bennett
•yaaaaay!!!! so happy for u!!!
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Ethan Moore
This is such an inspiring outcome! Thank you for sharing your success story - it gives me hope for my own financial aid appeal process. I'm dealing with a similar situation at a different school where they're using processing delays to deny aid. Your advice about documenting everything and being persistent is gold. I'm definitely going to reach out to my admissions counselor too - I hadn't thought of that angle. Congratulations on getting the aid you deserved!
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Mei-Ling Chen
•Good luck with your appeal, Ethan! William's success story really shows that persistence pays off. I'd also recommend keeping detailed records of every phone call and email - dates, names, what was discussed. If your school tries to deny your appeal, you'll have a paper trail to escalate with. The admissions counselor tip is brilliant - they have a vested interest in helping students they want to enroll. Don't let them use processing delays against you when it's clearly not your fault!
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Javier Mendoza
This is such a great example of why students need to advocate for themselves in the financial aid process! William, your persistence really paid off and I'm so glad you shared the specific steps that worked. For anyone else facing this issue, I'd also suggest screenshotting your FAFSA dashboard showing the submission date as backup documentation - sometimes the confirmation emails can get lost but your account history is always there. It's ridiculous that schools are using processing delays against students, but stories like this prove that appeals can work when you have the right documentation and approach!
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PaulineW
•Absolutely agree! The screenshot tip is brilliant - I wish I had known that when I was going through this process. It's so frustrating that students have to become experts in documentation and appeals just to get the aid they're entitled to. William's story gives me hope that there are still financial aid officers who will do the right thing when presented with clear evidence. I'm bookmarking this thread - this is exactly the kind of real-world advice that should be required reading for anyone filling out FAFSA!
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