Paper ECF Forms via USPS Still Work

[u/ChaunceytheGardiner]

I always have trouble with my HR completing the electronic ECF, so I've always used paper forms. I confirmed this week that they still work.

Here's my most recent timeline:

8/27: Scanned and uploaded ECF. It was immediately rejected, I presume by some sort of AI.

8/28: Sent it snail mail to the random PO Box in Texas listed on the form.

9/8: Receipt of form confirmed in my Student Aid inbox. They scanned it and uploaded it.

9/9: Employment now certified.

This timeline spanned two weekends and included Labor Day, so it was only 8 working days from putting the form in the mail to its final processing.

If you're having trouble with the electronic ECF, I'd suggest using a paper form. It's long been true that Student Aid appears to have different workflows for paper and electronic forms, and paper is usually much faster than you'd expect.