Do parents need to create FSA ID before or after student FAFSA verification with SSA?

Parents should create their FSA ID as soon as possible - you don't need to wait for the student's SSA verification to complete. Each contributor (parent) needs their own FSA ID, which is separate from the student's account. The process is: 1. Go to studentaid.gov/fsa-id/create-account and create your FSA ID (each parent who will contribute info needs their own) 2. When your daughter starts the actual FAFSA form, she'll add parent(s) as contributor(s) by entering your email address 3. Then you'll receive an email invitation with a link to access the FAFSA and complete your portion What you're referring to is probably the email invitation link, but that only comes after your daughter starts the actual FAFSA application and lists you as a contributor. Creating your FSA ID should happen immediately so it's verified and ready when needed.

The 2025-2026 FAFSA is a freaking nightmare with this contributor stuff! When my son was applying last month, we did it all wrong at first. Do NOT wait for the student's SSA verification - create your parent FSA ID RIGHT NOW. It can take 1-3 days for your FSA ID to get verified with SSA, and you don't want that delaying your application. The parent link comes LATER when your daughter actually starts the FAFSA and adds you as a contributor. Two separate processes: 1) create FSA ID, 2) get invited as contributor.

I would recommend creating your FSA ID immediately. Both processes (student verification and parent FSA ID creation) can happen simultaneously. Here's the correct sequence: 1. Student creates FSA ID (which you've already done) 2. Parent(s) create their own FSA ID(s) separately 3. Student begins FAFSA application and adds parent as contributor 4. Parent receives email with link to contribute to student's FAFSA The link you're referring to is for the contribution process (step 4), not for creating your FSA ID. Each parent who will provide information needs their own FSA ID, and all FSA IDs must be verified before they can be used to sign the FAFSA.

mY daughter And i created our Ids same day. I got the verification email like 2 hours later. The ids are separate from the actuall application process!!! We then waited 3 days before starting the FAFSA because the intstrucitons said to wait for SSA verification. Your daughter will invite you when she gets to the parent section

Has anyone actually managed to call the Federal Student Aid hotline successfully? I've been trying to get clarification on this exact FSA ID issue for my twins and I've been on hold for HOURS over multiple days. It's ridiculous!

To answer your follow-up question: If both parents' income and assets will be reported on the FAFSA (which is the case for married parents filing jointly), then yes, both parents need to create their own FSA IDs. Each parent will use their own FSA ID to sign the FAFSA electronically. The student will indicate how many parents will contribute information when starting the FAFSA, and can invite both parents as contributors. Each parent will complete their own section with their own FSA ID.

omg the FSA ID thing was SUCH a headache for us! create yours NOW, like literally today. my husband waited til our daughter was ready to submit & his wouldn't verify for 5 days!! messed up all our deadlines :

Just to clarify for everyone - the 2025-2026 FAFSA uses the new "contributors" system, which is different from previous years. Student creates FAFSA, then adds parents as contributors, then parents get email invites to fill out their sections. BUT each contributor still needs their own FSA ID created beforehand. The FSA ID creation and contributor invitation are TWO SEPARATE PROCESSES.

I wish they'd make this clearer on the FAFSA website! We were so confused too. I created my FSA ID right after my son did (about 2 months ago), and it worked fine. Just make sure when creating the FSA ID, the parent uses their OWN email and phone number - not the student's. That was another mistake we almost made.