Can't access old FAFSA loan with flagged SSN - how to fix for new application?

This happened to me last year! The flag on your SSN is probably related to a name mismatch between Social Security Administration records and FSA records. Since you mentioned the retirement account issue, that makes sense. You need to contact Social Security first to verify your name is correct in their system, then go back to FSA with proof of your correct name. In my case, I had to submit a copy of my marriage certificate AND my social security card.

wait why r u filling out fafsa if u already had loans in the 90s? are u going back to school or is this for ur kid?

Former financial aid advisor here. When SSNs are flagged in the FSA system, it's usually for one of these reasons: 1. Identity mismatch (name, birthdate) between SSA and FSA records 2. Default on previous federal loans 3. Death reporting errors (yes, this happens) 4. Fraud protection flags Since you mentioned a name change issue, I suspect it's the first reason. You'll need to: 1. Contact the Social Security Administration to verify your current legal name 2. Obtain documentation showing your name change history (marriage certificate) 3. Call FSA and specifically request a "name resolution review" 4. Provide documentation to clear the flag Once cleared, you should be able to create a new FSA ID and complete the parent portion of the FAFSA.

Have you tried using Claimyr to get through to an actual FSA agent? I was dealing with a similar issue (my maiden name was still on my old loans but I'd been married for 12 years!) and kept getting disconnected or waiting for hours. I used Claimyr (claimyr.com) and got connected to an FSA rep in minutes who could actually see my records and explain the flag. They also have a video that shows how it works: https://youtu.be/TbC8dZQWYNQ The agent I spoke with identified that my records had been merged with someone with a similar name and birthday - something I never would have figured out from the automated system!

THEY DO THIS ALL THE TIME!! FSA system is so broken. My sister had her identity stolen in college and FSA STILL has her flagged 20 years later even though she's proved multiple times she was the victim. They'll make you jump through 50 hoops and then probably still mess it up. Sorry you're dealing with this bureaucratic nightmare!!

Actually, you should probably check if anyone took out loans in your name fraudulently. This happened to my cousin - she found out someone had used her SSN to get student loans at a school she never attended. The flag might be trying to prevent more fraud. Request your NSLDS report to see all federal loans connected to your SSN: https://studentaid.gov/fsa-id/sign-in/landing

When I faced a similar issue with my parent FAFSA contribution last year, I discovered that having proper documentation is key. Make sure you have: 1. Your original social security card 2. Marriage certificate 3. Any legal name change documents 4. Photo ID with your current legal name 5. Previous year's tax returns This packet of documents helped me clear up my flag within a week. Apparently, they see these issues all the time with parent contributors who had student loans themselves decades ago.

Update on your issue: I was curious so I asked my friend who works in financial aid. She said sometimes these flags happen when parents had Perkins loans from the pre-electronic era because those were managed by individual schools, not centrally. When they migrated that data to the central system years later, name mismatches occurred. Ask specifically if you had Perkins loans!

I'm dealing with something similar right now! My SSN got flagged when I tried to help my son with his FAFSA application. Turns out I had old Stafford loans from the 80s that were never properly updated when I got married and changed my name. The FSA representative told me that pre-electronic records often have these issues because the data migration wasn't perfect. What helped me was getting a letter from Social Security confirming my name change history - they can provide an official document showing all names associated with your SSN. Also, be prepared that this might take a few weeks to resolve, so start the process ASAP if your daughter has upcoming deadlines. The good news is once it's fixed, it stays fixed! Hang in there - the bureaucracy is frustrating but you'll get through it.