Why is it taking so long for my FAFSA to process?

The delays are a result of overhauls made to the aid application system that were mandated by laws passed by Congress in 2019 and 2020.

Why is the FAFSA taking so long to process?

The delay is the latest hiccup in the rollout of the new FAFSA form, which was overhauled last year by congressional mandate in order to “simplify” the process and expand Pell eligibility—and which has been plagued by delays and uncertainty since the launch date was pushed to the end of last year.

Why is FAFSA taking so long 2024?

Originally estimated to arrive by late January, this delay may have been caused by a recent update to the new financial aid formula. The update is slated to bring in an additional $1.8 billion in need-based student aid, but the timing may impact the federal financial aid timeline.

How long does it take for FAFSA to be approved?

If you submitted your 2023–24 FAFSA form online, we'll process your form within three to five days. If you submitted a paper FAFSA form, your form will be processed within 7 to 10 days.

Why hasn't my financial aid been processed?

There are a number of reasons why a student's financial aid may not have been disbursed to their account. They include but are not limited to the following: The student failed to submit all requested documents. The student is not actively enrolled in at least one course (Federal Pell Grant disbursements).

FAFSA Tip #12: What Happens After I Submit My FAFSA

How can I get my FAFSA processed faster?

We recommend signing the FAFSA form with an FSA ID because it's the fastest way to get your FAFSA form processed. However, if you and/or your parent are unable to sign the FAFSA form electronically with an FSA ID, you can mail in a signature page.

How do I know if my FAFSA is approved?

At any time, students can check the status of their 2024–25 FAFSA form from the “My Activity” page after logging in to StudentAid.gov.

Can you get denied FAFSA?

According to the office of federal student aid, some applications can be denied because applicants did not meet the basic eligibility requirements. These include: Having demonstrated financial need for need-based federal student aid programs. Being a U.S. citizen or an eligible non-citizen.

Is it hard to get approved for FAFSA?

Nearly all students who apply qualify for some form of federal financial aid. "It's very easy to qualify for aid based on the FAFSA," Barnett says. For years, filling out the FAFSA was a confusing, complex process for families. However, the FAFSA was streamlined for the 2024-2025 award year.

Does the FAFSA take long?

How long will it take? It takes most people less than one hour to fill out the FAFSA form, including gathering any personal documents and financial information needed to complete it. What do I need?

Why is my FAFSA under review?

Verification is a process that the U.S. Department of Education uses to make sure that the information reported on the FAFSA is accurate. Some FAFSA applications are selected because of inconsistent information, and others are chosen randomly.

Why is my FAFSA form still in review?

There's a new status for students who have successfully submitted their 2024-25 FAFSA. The “In Review” status indicates that the FAFSA will be processed later in January. The U.S. Department of Education has said submitted FAFSAs won't be processed immediately.

Is FAFSA first come first serve?

Each October, the FAFSA is available for the next school year. It is best to fill it out as early as you can because some aid is first come, first served. When you complete the FAFSA, you'll need to provide personal and tax information.

Who gets denied FAFSA?

There are a few common reasons why the Federal Processor will reject an application: Missing signatures, inconsistent marital status with income, taxes paid are equal to or higher than adjusted gross income, citizenship questions are blank, marital status and family members blank, etc.

Does everyone get accepted for FAFSA?

In the end, not everyone gets financial aid. Only those families that have financial need and are deemed by the school that the student should be awarded this aid will receive financial aid.

What is the highest income to qualify for financial aid?

Both students and their parents often think their household income makes them ineligible for financial aid. However, there's no income limit for the FAFSA, and the U.S. Department of Education does not have an income cap for federal financial aid.

How will I know if my FAFSA is denied?

Note: If you submitted a paper FAFSA form, you can check the status of your application online once it has been processed (roughly 7 to 10 days from the date mailed). You can also check the status of your FAFSA form by contacting the Federal Student Aid Information Center at 1-800-433-3243.

Why would FAFSA be rejected?

The most common errors include, misspelled names, wrong social security numbers, wrong DOB's, or skipped value fields on the FAFSA. Please go to www.fafsa.gov to make the necessary corrections to your FAFSA. Your FAFSA may also be rejected if you leave some parent information off of the FAFSA form.

How much do you have to make to be denied FAFSA?

There are no income limits on the FAFSA. Instead, your eligibility for federal student aid depends on how much your college costs and what your family should contribute. Learn how your FAFSA eligibility is calculated and other ways to pay for college if you don't qualify for federal student aid.

Why is my financial aid pending?

Qualifying financial aid awards will show as pending/anticipated until it disburses to Student Accounting. After your aid has disbursed, it will “disappear” as pending/anticipated aid until funds have been officially applied to any tuition, fees, and on-campus housing balance owed.

What happens after my FAFSA is processed successfully?

What happens after my FAFSA^® form is processed? We'll send you a Student Aid Report (SAR), which is a summary of the FAFSA^® data you submitted within three days to two weeks after you submit your FAFSA^® form.

Does FAFSA process on weekends?

You submitted your paper FAFSA on a Tuesday and are wondering if it will be processed on Saturdays and Sundays. The FAFSA is processed Monday through Friday, excluding federal holidays. So, your FAFSA will not be processed on Saturdays or Sundays. The processing time for the paper FAFSA is typically 7-10 days.

Does FAFSA look into bank accounts?

Students selected for verification of their FAFSA form may wonder, “Does FAFSA check your bank accounts?” FAFSA does not directly view the student's or parent's bank accounts.

How long will it take to receive your FAFSA submission summary once you submit your FAFSA?

1–5 days depending on type of changes, updated SAR may be immediately available on the FAFSA site. If you don't see your SAR immediately, wait for your email or paper version. 7–10 days depending on type of changes, updated SAR may be immediately available on the FAFSA site.