What if my FAFSA status hasn't changed in a while?

If your FAFSA status hasn't changed in a while, contact FSAIC if it's beyond the normal processing time or your schools' deadlines.

Can I make changes after submitting my FAFSA?

Yes, you can make changes after submitting your FAFSA. Log in to your account or contact your school's financial aid office for assistance.

What happens after my FAFSA is processed?

After your FAFSA is processed, your schools will send financial aid award letters detailing the aid you qualify for.

Where can I get more help with FAFSA?

To get more help with FAFSA, check the Federal Student Aid website (https://studentaid.gov/) for comprehensive FAQs and resources.

How to Check Your FAFSA Status

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Your Free Application for Federal Student Aid will take a few days to process if you submit online.
You can see the status by calling the Federal Student Aid office or by logging in with your FSA ID.
You can also make corrections to your FAFSA on the same online page later in the process.

Three easy ways to check your FAFSA status

If you need money to help cover the cost of college, you'll use the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to determine which types of financial aid you qualify for. This may include grants, scholarships, work-study, and loans. There are three ways that you can check on your FAFSA status: online, via mobile app, or over the phone.

Online

To see your status, you can log into the FAFSA website with your Federal Student Aid ID or reach out to the FSA office directly. If you log in online, you can see the status of your FAFSA on the "My FAFSA" page, which shows up immediately after you sign in if you've already started or completed the form.

FAFSA mobile app

To check your status via mobile app, download the myStudentAid app and log in and check the status in your dashboard.

Phone

If you're reaching out to inquire about your status by phone, call the Federal Student Aid Information Center (FSAIC) at 1-800-4-FED-AID (1-800-433-3243). Be prepared to provide your Social Security Number and FSA ID.

Understanding your FAFSA status

"Processed"

If your FAFSA status reads as "processed," then your application is complete and results are being sent to your schools.

"Needs correction"

If you check your status and it says "needs correction," then there may be errors or missing information. Log in or contact FSAIC for details.

"Selected for verification"

If your status reads "selected for verification," then your school needs to verify some info. Contact them directly.

Typical FAFSA processing times

Your application should process between three to five days if you submit it online, and it will take seven to 10 days to process if you send in the form through the mail. You'll want to check the status of your FAFSA to see if your FAFSA application was properly completed.

Make sure to submit your form well before the deadline to prevent any issues with processing time. The deadline for the 2024-25 school year is June 30, 2025, and the deadline for the 2025-26 academic year is June 30, 2026.

FAQs

Ryan Wangman, CEPF

Loans Reporter

Ryan Wangman was a reporter at Personal Finance Insider reporting on personal loans, student loans, student loan refinancing, debt consolidation, auto loans, RV loans, and boat loans. He is also a Certified Educator in Personal Finance (CEPF).In his past experience writing about personal finance, he has written about credit scores, financial literacy, and homeownership. He graduated from Northwestern University and has previously written for The Boston Globe.