How to Check Your FAFSA Application Status Online

FAFSA stands for Free Application for Federal Student Aid. It is the official form that students in the United States fill out to apply for financial help for college or university. When you complete and submit your FAFSA you might be eligible for grants scholarships work-study or low-interest student loans.

After submitting your FAFSA form checking the status of your application is important. This ensures there are no mistakes missing documents or delays in getting your financial aid.

How to Check Your FAFSA Status Online

You can easily check your FAFSA status through the official U.S. Department of Education website. Here is how you can do it step by step:

  • Open your browser and go to https://studentaid.gov. This is the official site where you can manage your FAFSA information safely.
  • Click on Log In and use your FSA ID (username and password) to access your account. If you forgot your FSA ID you can click on the Forgot username or password? option to reset it.
  • Once you log in you will see your FAFSA application(s). Select the correct application year that you submitted. For example if you applied for the 2025–2026 school year choose that form.
  • Click on the option that says View FAFSA Submission Summary or Check Status. This will show you the current status of your application.

Common FAFSA Application Status Messages

Here are the most common messages and what they mean:

  • Submitted: Your FAFSA has been received but not yet reviewed.
  • Processing: Your application is being reviewed by the system.
  • Processed Successfully: Your application is complete and has been sent to your chosen schools.
  • Missing Signatures: You or your parent did not sign the application properly. You need to correct and sign it.
  • Action Required: There is an issue with your form that you need to fix.
  • Rejected: Major errors were found. You need to correct and resubmit the form.

Understanding these messages can help you act quickly and avoid delays in getting financial aid.

What to Do If There is a Problem with Your Application

If your status shows Action Required or Rejected follow these steps:

  1. Log in to your FAFSA account.
  2. Click on the option to make corrections.
  3. Fix any errors that are shown.
  4. Re-sign the form if needed.
  5. Submit the corrected form.

It usually takes 3–5 days for the changes to be processed. Make sure to check your status again after this time.

Other Ways to Check Your FAFSA Status

If you ca not check online there are other ways to know your FAFSA status:

Use the myStudentAid Mobile App

Download the myStudentAid app on your phone. Log in with your FSA ID and see your status from your mobile device.

Contact FAFSA Support by Phone

Call the Federal Student Aid Information Center:

  • Phone Number: 1-800-433-3243
  • Open: Monday to Friday 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. Eastern Time

This option is helpful if you ca not use the website or if you have more questions.

Ask Your School’s Financial Aid Office

Your college or university can also check if they received your FAFSA. They can tell you if anything is missing or needs fixing.

What Happens After Your FAFSA Is Processed

Once your FAFSA is processed you will receive a Student Aid Report (SAR). This is a summary of all the information you provided. It includes:

  • Your Expected Family Contribution (EFC) or Student Aid Index (SAI)
  • Any mistakes or issues
  • A list of schools you chose to send the information to

You can download the SAR from your FAFSA account.

How Long Does It Take to Process FAFSA?

Here is how long it usually takes:

  • Online Submission: 3 to 5 business days
  • By Mail: 7 to 10 business days

Processing times may be longer during busy periods such as the start of the school year.

How Often Should You Check FAFSA Status?

It is best to check your status:

  • 3 days after you submit your FAFSA
  • Every week until you see that it is fully processed
  • After making any corrections or updates

Staying updated helps you avoid missing out on financial aid.

What If Your School Does not Have Your FAFSA Yet?

If your college has not received your FAFSA information:

  • Make sure the school code is correct on your application.
  • You can add or change school codes by logging into your FAFSA account.
  • Wait 7 to 10 days after submission before contacting your school.

Tips to Avoid FAFSA Delays

Follow these simple tips to make sure your FAFSA is processed quickly:

  • Submit your FAFSA early
  • Double-check all your information
  • Use the IRS Data Retrieval Tool to add tax info
  • Sign your application correctly with your FSA ID
  • Do not skip optional questions if you can answer them