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I'm in a very similar situation - submitted my FAFSA about 3 weeks ago and still waiting. My daughter also has a May 1st decision deadline between two schools, and one would require significant loans if we don't get enough aid. Based on what everyone is sharing here, it sounds like I should definitely contact both financial aid offices this week to explain the situation and ask for either preliminary estimates or deadline extensions. It's frustrating that we're all dealing with these delays when the timing is so critical for college decisions. Has anyone had success getting schools to provide rough estimates based on tax information while waiting for the official SAI?
Yes, absolutely contact both schools ASAP! From what I've seen in this thread, most financial aid offices are being really accommodating this year because they know the FAFSA delays aren't students' fault. @bf421e3da8c5 mentioned that both schools her daughter was considering provided estimated aid packages and gave deadline extensions, and the estimates were pretty close to the final numbers (within about $1,200). @2cf91e65d670 also gave great advice about specifically asking for preliminary estimates or deadline extensions. The key seems to be being proactive and explaining your situation clearly - don't wait for the official package if your deadline is approaching!
I submitted my FAFSA in late February and just got my SAI score yesterday after exactly 5 weeks of waiting. The processing time seems to be pretty consistent with what others are reporting - definitely in that 4-6 week range. One thing I learned is to check your online account regularly even if you haven't received an email notification, because sometimes the information shows up there first. For those of you with May deadlines, I'd definitely echo what others have said about contacting the financial aid offices immediately. When I called my daughter's top choice school last week to explain our situation, they were incredibly understanding and offered to provide a preliminary estimate while we waited. They said they're dealing with this exact situation with hundreds of families this year, so they have processes in place to help. Don't feel bad about reaching out - they expect these calls right now!
Thanks for sharing your timeline! It's really helpful to hear that 5 weeks seems to be the norm right now. I'm at about 3.5 weeks since submitting, so hopefully I'll hear something soon. I'm definitely going to take everyone's advice and call both schools tomorrow - it sounds like they're all dealing with this situation and have processes in place to help. The fact that they offered you a preliminary estimate gives me hope that we can still make informed decisions even with these delays. Did your SAI end up being very different from what you expected compared to previous years?
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Congratulations on getting it submitted! This thread is so helpful - I'm a junior starting to research the FAFSA process for next year and had no idea about the signature step being separate from completing all the sections. It's crazy how many people seem to get stuck on this exact same issue. I'll definitely bookmark this discussion for when I start my application. Quick question - for those who have been through this, do you recommend having your parent create their FSA ID well in advance, or is it something that can be done quickly when you're ready to submit?
Great question! I'd definitely recommend having your parent create their FSA ID well in advance - like at least a week or two before you plan to submit. Sometimes there can be verification delays if their identity information doesn't match up perfectly with Social Security records, and you don't want to be stuck waiting when you're trying to meet a deadline. Plus it gives them time to practice logging in and make sure they remember their username/password. The FSA ID creation process itself only takes a few minutes, but the verification can take 1-3 days. Better to get it done early and avoid the stress!
Definitely create the FSA ID early! I learned this the hard way - my dad created his FSA ID the same night we were trying to submit and it got flagged for manual verification. We had to wait 3 days before he could use it, which put us right up against our deadline. The FSA ID system is pretty strict about matching names and SSNs exactly as they appear on official records, so any small discrepancy can cause delays. Also pro tip: make sure your parent writes down their FSA ID info somewhere safe - my mom forgot her password like 2 weeks after creating it and had to go through the whole reset process. Starting early takes all that stress away!
This is such a helpful thread! I'm a parent going through this process with my daughter for the first time and I had no idea about the separate signature step either. We spent hours last month thinking something was broken with the website when it showed 100% complete but wouldn't submit. Thankfully we figured it out before her deadline, but I wish they made this clearer in the interface. For other parents reading this - definitely create your FSA ID early like others mentioned, and make sure you write down your login info somewhere secure. Also, don't panic if the system seems slow or glitchy during peak times (like right before deadlines) - just keep trying and give yourself extra time. The whole process is more confusing than it needs to be, but you'll get through it!
Thanks for sharing the parent perspective! As someone just starting to navigate this process, it's really reassuring to hear from parents who've been through it. The fact that even experienced adults find the interface confusing makes me feel better about being overwhelmed by it all. I'm definitely going to have my mom create her FSA ID this weekend so we're not scrambling later. One follow-up question - when you mention the system being slow during peak times, are there certain times of day or days of the week that tend to work better? I want to plan our submission timing strategically to avoid any last-minute technical issues.
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As someone who's brand new to this community and just starting to learn about financial aid, this entire conversation has been absolutely incredible to read! Ryan, I'm so sorry you and your family went through such a stressful situation with your mom's illness, but I'm thrilled that your school is working with you on the appeal process. Your experience perfectly demonstrates why it's so important to reach out for help rather than assuming all is lost. What really strikes me about this thread is how much misinformation exists about FAFSA deadlines - I had no clue there were federal, state, AND institutional deadlines that could all be different! The breakdown from Admin_Masters was so helpful, and all the personal stories from community members who've navigated similar situations provide such valuable real-world perspective that you just can't get from official websites. I'm taking notes on everything discussed here - from creating comprehensive deadline calendars to understanding appeal processes and the importance of thorough documentation. This community's willingness to share experiences and support each other through these complex processes is exactly what makes navigating college financing feel less overwhelming. Thank you all for creating such a welcoming and informative space!
As another newcomer to this community, I couldn't agree more with everything you've said! This thread has been such an educational journey to follow from start to finish. Ryan's story really shows how a moment of panic can turn into a learning opportunity that benefits so many others. I had absolutely no idea about the complexity of FAFSA deadlines either - like many students, I thought there was just one universal deadline that applied to everything. The fact that there are federal, state, and institutional deadlines that can all be completely different dates is honestly mind-boggling! It really makes me wonder how many students miss out on aid simply because the system is so confusing. The personal experiences shared here - from successful appeals to partial aid recovery - provide such valuable insights that you'd never find in official documentation. I'm also incredibly impressed by how supportive everyone has been, from providing practical next steps to sharing encouragement during a stressful time. This is exactly the kind of community resource that can make the difference between a student giving up on their college dreams and finding a way to make it work. Thank you to everyone who contributed their knowledge and experiences!
As someone completely new to this community and the FAFSA process, this entire thread has been absolutely eye-opening! Ryan, first off, I'm so relieved that your situation worked out and that your school has an appeal process for circumstances like yours. Your story really highlights something that I think many of us don't realize - that life happens, and sometimes genuine emergencies can derail even our best-laid plans. What's been most valuable to me as a newcomer is learning about the three different types of deadlines. I honestly thought there was just one FAFSA deadline, period. The fact that federal, state, and institutional deadlines can all be completely different is something I never would have known without reading this discussion. Admin_Masters' breakdown was incredibly helpful, and all the personal experiences shared here provide the kind of real-world context that official websites just can't offer. I'm also struck by how supportive this community is - from practical advice about documentation and appeal processes to emotional support during what was clearly a very stressful time. The tips about creating timelines, getting doctor's letters, and following up on submitted materials are exactly the kind of actionable advice that makes a real difference. For other newcomers like me who might be feeling overwhelmed by the complexity of financial aid: this thread shows that even when things go wrong, there are still options and people willing to help. I'm definitely bookmarking this conversation as a reference for when I navigate this process myself. Thank you to everyone who shared their knowledge and experiences!
Welcome to the community, Anastasia! As another newcomer, I completely echo everything you've said. This thread has been such an incredible learning experience - I had no idea the financial aid system was this complex either. Ryan's journey from panic to finding a solution really shows the importance of not giving up and seeking help from knowledgeable communities like this one. The three different deadline types were a complete revelation to me too! I'm already starting to create that deadline calendar several people mentioned, and I'm feeling much more prepared for when I have to navigate this process myself. It's so reassuring to know that there are people here who've been through these challenges and are willing to share their experiences and guidance. This community seems like such a valuable resource for anyone trying to make sense of the financial aid maze!
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I'm so relieved I found this thread! I've been struggling with this exact parent signature issue for the past 4 days with my son's FAFSA. Just like everyone else, my FSA ID dashboard is completely blank - it's like the system has no record that I need to sign anything, but his application shows incomplete. I've been panicking because his college's priority financial aid deadline is next week! Reading through all these solutions has given me so much hope. I'm definitely going to try Firefox tonight and look for that "Make Correction" link that Dylan discovered. It's absolutely mind-boggling that the Department of Education released such a broken system when families are already dealing with enough stress about college costs. But I'm so grateful for this community - you've all been lifesavers sharing these workarounds! Will definitely update if the Firefox solution works for me too. Thank you all!
I'm going through this exact same frustration right now! Just started helping my daughter with her FAFSA and hit this same parent signature wall. It's such a relief to find this thread and realize it's not something I'm doing wrong - the system is genuinely broken! I've been trying Chrome for days with no success, so I'm definitely downloading Firefox tonight based on all the positive feedback here. The step-by-step instructions everyone has shared, especially Dylan's "Make Correction" discovery, have been incredibly helpful. It's honestly shocking that such an important government system has these kinds of bugs when families are under so much pressure with deadlines. Thank you for sharing your experience - knowing we're all dealing with this together makes it less overwhelming. Fingers crossed the Firefox trick works for both of us! We can get through this!
I'm dealing with this exact same parent signature nightmare right now! My daughter submitted her FAFSA two weeks ago but it's been stuck showing "incomplete" because of the missing parent signature. Like everyone else here, when I log into my FSA ID there's absolutely nothing - no pending actions, no notifications, it's like the system doesn't even know I exist! I've been trying Chrome and Safari for days with no luck, but after reading through all these solutions I'm definitely downloading Firefox tonight. The "Make Correction" pathway that Dylan found sounds like exactly what I need to try. It's incredibly frustrating that families have to become tech troubleshooters just to apply for financial aid, especially when college deadlines are looming. Thank you all for sharing your experiences and solutions - this community has been a lifesaver! I was starting to panic but now I have a clear action plan. Will definitely report back if the Firefox/Make Correction combo works for me too!
I just went through this exact same issue with my son's FAFSA last month and I completely understand your frustration! The empty FSA ID dashboard seems to be one of the most common bugs in the new system. Based on everyone's success stories here, the Firefox browser really does seem to make a huge difference - Chrome and Safari just don't display all the necessary links properly on the FAFSA site. When you try the "Make Correction" approach that Dylan discovered, make sure to also clear your browser cache completely before starting. I had to attempt the process twice before it finally worked, so don't get discouraged if it doesn't go smoothly on the first try. Also, double-check that your daughter's application actually shows as "submitted" from her end before you start looking for the signature options. Sometimes there are multiple steps that need to be completed first. You've got this - the Firefox solution has worked for so many people in this thread!
Samantha Johnson
This thread has been a lifesaver! I'm dealing with a similar SSN issue on my FAFSA and feeling so frustrated with the system. Reading everyone's experiences and solutions gives me hope that there's a way through this bureaucratic maze. The suggestion about essential worker accommodations is particularly interesting - I work in a lab and have similarly restrictive phone policies during shifts. It's crazy that we have to jump through so many hoops just to fix a simple typo, but at least now I have multiple strategies to try. Thanks to everyone for sharing their experiences and creative workarounds!
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Fatima Al-Sayed
•I'm so glad this thread has been helpful for you too! It really is frustrating how difficult they make it to fix what should be a simple correction. The fact that so many of us healthcare workers are running into the same scheduling conflicts shows there's definitely a gap in their system for people who work non-traditional hours. I'm planning to try the essential worker accommodation route first based on Ezra's suggestion - if that works out, I'll definitely come back and share the details of how to request it. It's amazing how much collective knowledge we have when we all share our experiences like this!
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Ryan Kim
I'm a newer member here but wanted to share what worked for me when I had this exact problem a few months ago. After reading through all these great suggestions, I think you have solid options! One thing I'd add is to keep a detailed log of every attempt you make - date, time, method (phone/email), and outcome. This documentation saved me when I had to escalate my case. My financial aid office was much more willing to extend deadlines when I could show them a clear timeline of my attempts to resolve the issue. Also, if you do use Claimyr or get through via the essential worker accommodation, ask the FSA agent to email you a summary of the changes made. Some agents will do this if you request it, and it serves as backup documentation. The whole system is definitely frustrating, but don't give up - there are multiple paths to get this fixed!
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