Do parents need separate FAFSA login accounts from their students?
My daughter created her studentaid.gov account last week and has her FSA ID set up already. I'm confused about whether I need my own separate login as a parent contributor? The FAFSA website keeps talking about 'contributors' but doesn't clearly explain if I need my own account or if I can just use hers when she needs my information. I don't want to mess up her application by doing this wrong. Can someone clarify this for me?
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Ella Lewis
yes u need ur own login def
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Hunter Edmunds
•Is it complicated to set up? I'm not very tech savvy and worry I'll mess something up on her application.
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Andrew Pinnock
You absolutely need to create your own FSA ID as a parent contributor. Each person who contributes information to the FAFSA needs their own unique FSA ID - your daughter cannot use your personal information with her account. Your FSA ID will be linked to your Social Security Number and serves as your legal signature on the form. When you create your account, you'll need your SSN, email address, and phone number. Make sure you use a different email from your daughter's account.
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Hunter Edmunds
•Thank you for the detailed explanation! Will I get something in the mail to verify my account like my daughter did? She got some code or something.
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Andrew Pinnock
•Yes, if you choose to verify your account by mail, you'll receive a secure code. However, I recommend using the instant verification options through your email and phone number if possible, as mail verification can delay your ability to complete and sign the FAFSA. The system will walk you through the verification process when you create your FSA ID.
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Brianna Schmidt
I was SO CONFUSED by this same thing last year!! The FAFSA website is terrible at explaining this. YES you need your own FSA ID as a parent/contributor. My son kept trying to get me to put my info in through his account and it kept failing. Wasted like 2 hours before we figured out I needed my own separate account. Don't make our mistake!!!!
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Alexis Renard
•same here lol. my kid was like "just type your stuff here" and then nothing worked right. classic fafsa experience tbh
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Camila Jordan
To elaborate on what others have said: You definitely need your own FSA ID as a parent contributor. This is because: 1. Your FSA ID is tied to your specific Social Security Number 2. It serves as your legal electronic signature on the FAFSA 3. It ensures security of your personal financial information When your daughter sends you the contributor invitation from her FAFSA, you'll use your FSA ID to log in and complete your section. Make sure to use a different email address than what your daughter used for her FSA ID. Also, write down your FSA ID username and password somewhere secure - you'll need it again for next year's FAFSA and for any Parent PLUS loans if you plan to apply for those.
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Hunter Edmunds
•This is really helpful, thank you. Do you know approximately how long it takes to set up the parent account? I'm trying to help her meet her school's priority deadline next week.
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Camila Jordan
•Creating the FSA ID itself only takes about 10-15 minutes if you have all your information ready (SSN, address, email, phone). However, some verification steps might add time: - Email/phone verification is instant if you can access those immediately - If you verify by mail, that could take 5-10 business days - Some people have reported delays with SSN verification through the Social Security Administration I'd recommend setting it up today if you're working with a deadline next week. The contributor section itself usually takes 30-45 minutes to complete once your account is verified.
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Tyler Lefleur
I had the WORST time trying to reach someone at FSA when I was creating my parent account. Was on hold for like 3 hours and eventually got disconnected. I ended up using Claimyr.com to connect with an FSA agent so I could fix an issue with my SSN verification. They have a video demo of how it works at https://youtu.be/TbC8dZQWYNQ. Got connected to an actual human in about 8 minutes instead of waiting on hold all day. Seriously saved me days of frustration when we were trying to meet a deadline.
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Hunter Edmunds
•Oh that's really good to know! I'll bookmark that in case I run into issues. Did they help you with the verification problem?
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Tyler Lefleur
•Yes! The FSA agent was able to verify my identity over the phone and override something in their system that was causing the problem. Turns out there was a mismatch between how my name was listed with SSA and how I entered it in the FSA system. Something I never would have figured out on my own!
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Madeline Blaze
when I did this for my kid last year I didn't make my own account at first and she got rejected for financial aid because we never actually submitted the parent info correctly. ended up having to do an appeal with her school and it was a whole thing. definitely make your own FSA ID!
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Brianna Schmidt
•EXACTLY what happened to us! The worst part is the system never clearly tells you that it failed! It just sits there in some weird limbo where the student thinks it's complete but it's actually not. So frustrating.
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Andrew Pinnock
One more important tip: When you create your FSA ID, make sure to use a different email address than your daughter's. The system requires unique emails for each FSA ID. Also, when creating your FSA ID, double-check that your name exactly matches what appears on your Social Security card - including middle names/initials, hyphens, etc. Mismatches can cause verification delays.
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Hunter Edmunds
•Thank you again! I have a question - my legal name includes my middle name on my social security card. Should I include that when setting up the FSA ID?
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Andrew Pinnock
•Yes, absolutely include your middle name exactly as it appears on your Social Security card. The FSA system verifies your identity with the Social Security Administration, and any discrepancy (including missing or abbreviated middle names) can cause verification issues that might delay your ability to complete the FAFSA. Better to be precise from the start than have to fix it later.
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Ella Lewis
i remember they kept sending me emails about parent contribution even after my kid graduated lol
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Alexis Renard
•they still send me reminder emails for my daughter who graduated 3 years ago. i tried to find where to unsubscribe but gave up after 20 min
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Hunter Edmunds
Thanks everyone for the helpful advice! I created my FSA ID tonight and got the email verification right away. Waiting on the SSN verification now, but at least I know I'm on the right track. My daughter can send me the contribution invitation once that's done. This was so much clearer than anything on the studentaid.gov site!
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Camila Jordan
•Great job getting it set up! The SSN verification usually processes within 1-3 days. Once that's complete, you'll be all set to complete your portion when your daughter sends the invitation. Make sure to keep your FSA ID username and password saved somewhere secure - you'll need it again for next year's FAFSA and for any other federal student aid processes.
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