Why Won't My FAFSA Submit and Other FAFSA Tech Problems

There are many high school seniors, college students and adults returning to college that still need to fill out their 2021-22 FAFSA form for next Fall. For many who are currently trying to complete the FAFSA, some technical problems have popped up. 

Since the middle of February, we here at ICAN have been experiencing the same issues in completing the FAFSA form. Errors messages have come up that have prohibited some families from getting it completed. Most of the times these messages come up when trying to use the IRS Data Retrieval process to pull in parent or student taxes. The error messages have also come up right at the end when we hit the submit button.

This is not just a problem for ICAN or for Iowa families. This is a problem being reported across the country, discussed on national financial aid list servs by colleges and universities with the families they are working with too.

First, we want to tell you that if you are having any issues DO NOT GIVE UP. Though it takes a few tries, we have been able to work through the errors to get the form completed. Your patience will probably be tested. It might take 4-5 times to log back in and try to move on in the FAFSA form but eventually you will be able to get it done.

Here is some advice that has worked for us to eventually get FAFSAs completed lately:

  • Clear your browsing history or cache in the browser that you are using. Restart the browser.
  • If using Chrome, click on the three dots in the right- hand corner and select HELP and then ABOUT CHROME. This will tell if you have the latest version of Chrome. If you don’t have the latest version, it will update for you automatically.
  • If one browser keeps getting the error message try another. We have had people try in Chrome at first then switch to Microsoft Edge or Firefox and it works for them.
I can’t say that these solutions will work the first time you try but keep trying them until eventually you get the form submitted. One more time I will say- DO NOT GIVE UP! Your financial aid is too important to let the tech get the better of you.

If the frustration boils over for you, contact us to set up a virtual appointment at 877-272-4692 or schedule on-line at www.icansucceed.org/apt. We are here for you.


 Erick - ICAN Ankeny Center