Many applicants are trying to get into the Federal Student Aid (FSA) Office web site to complete the FAFSA, the Free Application for Federal Student Aid. The FAFSA is required to qualify for federal financial aid and by most higher education institutions for their own aid processes. Unfortunately, the rollout has been a little rocky, with repeating loading screens, “Please Wait” pages, errors in submission, and other issues.
"We got in, but it didn’t work. It just cycled through the same questions," said Lisa Morrison, a parent from Malden, MA. "It’s frustrating that something so high stakes isn’t working as advertised."
The U.S. Department of Education has walked back its intended rollout on December 31, 2023, now calling it a “Soft Launch,” meaning regular, unpredictable site maintenance should be expected. Given these challenges, what’s the best approach to getting your FAFSA completed and submitted?
Many applicants are experiencing extended wait times and submission issues with the 2024-25 FAFSA.
The FAFSA form must be submitted by 12:59 PM EST on June 30, 2025. Any corrections or updates must be submitted by 12:59 PM EST on September 14, 2025. This is the deadline for federal processing. Each state has its own deadline, as do the schools themselves. You can look up your respective deadlines here, but you may want to contact your school’s financial aid office for guidance, as well.
The FSA Office has stated that it will not transmit information to schools until late January. If you are having difficulty now, it may be prudent to wait a few days. “You will have plenty of time to complete the FAFSA form,” according to the FSA Office.
MORE FROM FORBES ADVISOREven if you cannot access the application right now you can still prepare for the filing itself. The FSA Office has a video guide as well as practice worksheets (pdf).
* These tools may not be available during Student Aid site maintenance.
Follow the FSA Office on social media to stay current on the status of the FAFSA via Twitter, Instagram, or Facebook.
If you’re running into issues, your first line of recourse is to reach out directly to the FSA Office. There is a small icon on the bottom-right of the Student Aid site for “Ask Aidan®,” a new financial aid virtual assistant tool in Beta. It may be able to provide guidance or updates on known technical issues. You can also try contacting 800-4-FED-AID, chat (if it’s up), or email customerservice@studentaid.gov. Expect extended wait times given ongoing technology issues. Also consider:
The "student aid index" replaced the previous EFC, or Expected Family Contribution, in calculating . [+] financial aid eligibility. Many users are having trouble with the SAI on launch of the new FAFSA for 2024-25.
“It’s very upsetting as a first-time filer to wait so long. For many families, like mine, the financial aid package can make or break a final decision on a college,” said another Malden parent, who wished to remain anonymous. “Those in the past had from October to figure it out.”
In 2020 the U.S. Department of Education began its overhaul of the federal financial aid system with the passage of the FAFSA Simplification Act under the Consolidated Appropriations Act. Originally slated for the 2023-24 Award Year, the implementation date was pushed forward to the 2024-25 year. As with any major change requiring updates in both technology and processing, there are issues. In theory, though, these hurdles should lead to a more expedient and fair application process in future years.
Navigating the FAFSA submission process can be challenging, but with persistence and strategic planning, applicants can overcome hurdles and ensure timely completion of this key financial aid document. Prepare, stay informed, and exercise patience to get the necessary forms submitted accurately and expediently.