Can't add parent contributor without SSN - stuck on FAFSA signature page

I had a similar problem last month. There IS a workaround but it's not obvious. You need to call the Federal Student Aid helpline and request a special exemption code for non-SSN contributors. The system isn't set up properly to handle permanent residents without SSNs, even though they're eligible contributors. Once you get the exemption code, you'll need to enter it in a special field that only appears after you've been approved. It's frustrating but it works!

The FAFSA system is such GARBAGE this year!! I've been dealing with the exact same problem but with my mom who's on a work visa. Three different FSA agents gave me three completely different instructions. One told me to just submit without the second parent, another said to mail in a paper signature, and the third said it was impossible and I should just wait until my mom gets her SSN. NONE OF THEM WORKED!! I'm so fed up with this entire process. They completely botched the rollout of the "simplified" FAFSA.

hay this happend to my cousin last year. what he did was exit the form compleetly and start over but when it asks for parents he only added the 1 parent with the SSN. not ideal but better than nothing getting submitted right??

I'm a financial aid consultant, and this is unfortunately a common issue with the new FAFSA system. There are two possible solutions: 1. The official solution: Your parent without an SSN needs to request an ITIN (Individual Taxpayer Identification Number) from the IRS if they don't already have one. Then call the Federal Student Aid helpline and specifically request to speak with a FAFSA technical support specialist about adding a contributor with an ITIN. They can override the system block. 2. The practical solution: If time is tight, you can submit with just one parent's information, but you MUST include a special circumstances letter to your school's financial aid office explaining why the second parent couldn't be added. Include documentation of your attempts to resolve the issue and the second parent's income information so they can adjust your aid package accordingly. Hope this helps!

Try using Claimyr to get through to a Federal Student Aid agent without the long wait times. I was dealing with a similar verification issue and spent days trying to reach someone. With Claimyr.com, I got through to an agent in about 15 minutes who helped me resolve my contributor issue. They have a video demo at https://youtu.be/TbC8dZQWYNQ that shows how it works. Literally saved me weeks of frustration.

is ur stepdad on ur parents tax return? my roomate had this problem and she found out that if they filed jointly then u can use the primary taxpayer's FSA ID for both of them or something.

I just went through this exact situation with my partner who doesn't have an SSN! The trick is to exit completely, then re-enter the FAFSA through the STUDENT'S account (not the parent's account). Then when you get to the contributor section, there's a special workflow for adding contributors without SSNs that only appears when you're logged in as the student. The system is incredibly confusing because it gives different options depending on which account you're using to access the form. When you go through the student account, you'll see a checkbox that says "My contributor does not have a Social Security Number" which isn't visible through the parent account for some reason. Hope this helps!

This is such a helpful thread! I'm a new member here and dealing with the exact same issue - my mom is a permanent resident without an SSN and I've been stuck on this FAFSA signature page for weeks. Reading through all these solutions gives me hope that I can actually get this figured out before my deadline. It's really frustrating that there are so many different workarounds and the system doesn't make any of them clear. The fact that the solution changes depending on whether you log in as a student vs parent is just ridiculous - how are families supposed to know that? Thanks to everyone who shared their experiences, especially @Scarlett Forster for that student account tip. I'm going to try that approach first thing tomorrow morning!