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last year you had to type your name AND your birthday I think? this year just button I think. who knows with fafsa changing everything every 5 minutes.
As a final tip, after you submit your corrections and both you (and your parent if you're a dependent) have signed, I recommend taking a screenshot of the confirmation page. Also note the confirmation number if one is provided. This way you have proof that you completed the process correctly if there are any issues later. You should receive an email confirmation within 3-5 days that your corrections were processed, and your SAI should update shortly after that.
That's a great idea! I'll definitely take screenshots. Thanks for all the help everyone!
Just checking back - were you able to create your FSA ID and get the process started? One thing that helps speed up verification is making absolutely sure your name, DOB, and SSN match exactly what's on your Social Security card. Even a small mismatch can delay the verification process.
Yes! I created my FSA ID yesterday and got verified this morning, which was faster than I expected. My daughter added me as a contributor and I received the email invitation about an hour ago. Now I'm working on completing my section. Thank you everyone for your help! This new system is so much more complicated than the old one.
Pro tip for anyone else reading this thread: if you're a parent filling out FAFSA in the future, create your FSA ID well BEFORE you plan to start the application process. The verification delay catches many families by surprise, especially when approaching deadlines. Also, for the 2025-2026 FAFSA, remember that the SAI (Student Aid Index) has replaced the old EFC (Expected Family Contribution), and the calculation methods have changed significantly. Many families are seeing different aid amounts than expected because of these formula changes.
This is excellent advice. I'd also add that parents should gather all their financial documents before starting. You'll need your 2023 tax returns, W-2s, and current bank/investment statements. The data retrieval tool will help with IRS information, but you'll still need other financial details ready.
Great news! Glad it resolved itself without requiring a call. This is happening to many families - the system is eventually processing most applications correctly, just with frustrating delays. Make sure your daughter keeps checking her email for any verification requests, as those have been delayed too in many cases.
This happened to me too and it was because my FSA ID password had expired even though I could still log in!! Try updating your FSA ID password first, then wait 30 minutes, THEN try the signature page again. That's what fixed it for me.
That's a great suggestion! My FSA ID is probably about a year old now, so maybe the password is due for a refresh. I'll definitely try updating it tonight.
UPDATE: I tried all of these suggestions and finally got it to work! For anyone else having this problem, here's what fixed it for me: 1. Updated my FSA ID password (thanks @profile9!) 2. Waited 30 minutes 3. Used incognito mode with all extensions disabled 4. Completed the form in one sitting (took about 40 minutes) No more pink error messages and my SAI score showed up immediately after submission! Thanks everyone for your help!
Oh my gosh THANK YOU for sharing what worked!! I'm going to follow these exact steps tonight. So relieved to hear you got your SAI score right away too - that gives me hope I can still make my state deadline.
Aisha Hussain
just wondering... what's your SAI? mine was 9842 and i got decent aid from most places
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StellarSurfer
•Mine is 12350. Not super low but definitely not high enough to afford BU without significant aid. My EFC last year (before they switched to SAI) was around 11000.
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Aisha Hussain
•oof that's tough... not low enough for full need-based aid but definitely not high enough to pay without help. fingers crossed for u!!
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Sean Kelly
After reading through this thread, I wanted to add one more thing: document EVERYTHING in your communications with the financial aid office. Note who you spoke with, when, what they promised, etc. This paper trail can be crucial if you need to escalate your case. Also, sometimes reaching out to the admissions counselor who recruited you can help - they often have influence with financial aid and want to keep their admitted students. Don't give up hope yet!
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StellarSurfer
•Thank you - this is great advice. I'm going to start keeping a log of all my communications starting tomorrow. Hopefully I won't need it, but better to be prepared.
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