FAFSA 2025-2026 application flow - does student still invite parent?

Yes, for the 2025-2026 FAFSA, the student still initiates the application and then invites you as a contributor. The process was overhauled with the FAFSA Simplification Act, but this aspect remained similar. The student will start by creating their FSA ID (if they don't have one), then begin the application, and at the contributor section, they'll input your email address to send you an invitation. You'll need your own FSA ID to log in and complete your portion. The biggest change is that it's now called the "contributor" system rather than "parent section," and the SAI (Student Aid Index) replaces the old EFC calculation.

we did ours last month and yep student goes first then invites u. but heads up they CHANGED all the income questions so dont assume its the same as last yr!! took me FOREVER to figure out where to put retirement contributions bc they moved everything around 😡

The process is similar but with important changes. For 2025-2026, the student initiates the application and invites contributors (parents/stepparents), but the underlying calculation method changed significantly. The new system uses the Student Aid Index (SAI) instead of EFC. Also important: the student needs to list ALL contributors who provide more than 50% financial support, even if they don't live with that person. For divorced parents, only one parent needs to contribute information - whoever provides more financial support to the student. Also, make sure both you and your daughter have updated FSA IDs with current email addresses and phone numbers, as verification is stricter now.

my kids in college too and i heard they actually simplified it this year? supposed to be fewer questions or something. but idk if thats true, govt always says theyre simplifying things lol

I tried doing the new FAFSA for my daughter and it was a NIGHTMARE!!! The website kept crashing and then when I finally got through, they never sent me the contributor email even though my daughter put in my correct email THREE TIMES. We ended up having to call FSA and wait on hold for 2.5 HOURS before someone helped us. They said there's some glitch with the email system and had to manually reset something. So frustrating!!!!!

i think ur mixing up the old and new systems. before the student had to add parent info directly. now with simplified fafsa, the PARENT logs in separately with their own FSA ID to fill out their part. its more secure but also more confusing cuz everyone needs their own account. and FYI the tax info transfer still sucks sometimes especially if you amended your taxes even once.

Thank you all for the helpful responses! I'm feeling much better about the process now. Going to double-check our FSA IDs this weekend and make sure all contact info is current. And I'll warn my son that we might encounter some technical glitches based on what some of you experienced. Hopefully we can get this wrapped up before the priority deadlines!

Just wanted to add - if you run into any issues with the contributor invitation not being received, check your spam/junk folder first before calling FSA! My friend had this happen and the email was sitting in spam the whole time. Also, make sure you and your son coordinate timing - the system can get wonky if you're both trying to work on it simultaneously. And since this is your last year, definitely submit well before any school deadlines just in case you need time to resolve technical issues. The new system is better overall but still has some growing pains!

As someone who just went through this process with my daughter, I can confirm the student still initiates and invites parents as contributors. One thing I'd add is to make sure you have all your tax documents ready before starting - the new system is pickier about matching information exactly. Also, if you're self-employed or have any complex income situations, be prepared for the questions to be worded differently than previous years. The good news is that once you get through it, the SAI calculation seems more straightforward than the old EFC system. Start early and don't stress if you need to save and come back to finish later!

Hey StardustSeeker! I just went through this with my youngest last fall. Yes, the basic flow is the same - student starts the application and then sends you an invitation to complete your contributor section. But definitely pay attention to the changes others mentioned! The questions are reorganized and some terminology is different. One thing I'd add is to make sure you complete your sections within a reasonable timeframe after receiving the invitation - I think there's some kind of timeout period, though I'm not 100% sure how long. Also, since you mentioned this is your last year, don't forget to check if your son's schools have any specific FAFSA deadlines that are earlier than the federal deadline. Some colleges have priority dates for institutional aid that come before the main deadline. Good luck with senior year!

Just wanted to chime in as someone who works in financial aid at a college - you're all giving great advice! One additional tip for StardustSeeker since this is your last FAFSA: make sure to keep copies of everything you submit, including screenshots of your completed SAI and any confirmation numbers. Senior year can be especially important for verification if selected, and having documentation ready makes the process much smoother. Also, even though the new FAFSA is "simplified," I'd still recommend setting aside a couple hours to complete it without rushing - better to take your time and get it right the first time than to have to make corrections later. The contributor invitation system does work well once you get the hang of it, and most of the technical issues from the early rollout have been resolved. Best of luck with your son's final year!

As a parent who's been through this process a few times now, I can confirm that yes, the student still initiates the application and invites you as a contributor! The basic flow hasn't changed much - your son logs in first with his FSA ID, starts the application, and then when he gets to the contributor section, he'll enter your email to send you an invitation. You'll then log in with your own FSA ID to complete your portion separately. One heads up though - I noticed they reorganized some of the financial questions this year, so don't assume everything is in the same place as last time. Also, since you mentioned this is senior year, definitely start early! Some schools have priority deadlines that are much earlier than the federal deadline, and you'll want buffer time in case you run into any technical hiccups. The new "simplified" FAFSA is generally better, but there can still be the occasional glitch. Good luck with your son's final year!