FAFSA Parent Contribution Issue - Only One Spouse Received Link Despite Joint Filing
I'm completely stumped with this FAFSA parent contribution situation. My daughter submitted her 2025-2026 FAFSA application last week, and both my husband and I received separate emails to complete the parent portion (we're married and file jointly). My husband successfully completed his part yesterday, and it linked properly to our daughter's application. However, when I try to log into my FSA ID account after clicking the link in my email, there's absolutely nothing showing up for me to complete! The email specifically mentioned it was for our daughter Megan, but there's zero indication of any pending tasks in my account. Have we done something wrong? The application is now under review and the system is telling us we have to wait 3 days before Megan can log back in. I'm worried this will delay her financial aid or cause problems with her application. Has anyone else run into this joint filer confusion?
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MidnightRider
This is actually normal! For joint tax filers, only ONE parent needs to complete the contributor information section. Since your husband already completed it, there's nothing for you to do. The system sends automated emails to both parents, but once one completes it, the other's task essentially disappears. Your daughter's application should process normally without any issues.
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Carmen Ortiz
•Oh thank goodness! I was having a minor panic attack thinking we'd messed something up. The email made it sound like we both had to complete separate sections. That's a relief - thank you for clarifying!
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Andre Laurent
same exact thing happened to us!!! my wife did the parent part and then nothing showed up for me. i called the school financial aid office and they said its fine, system just sends emails to everyone but only needs 1 parent to actually do the thing
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Carmen Ortiz
•That's reassuring to hear it happened to someone else too. I wish the emails would explain this better instead of making it seem like we both need to take action.
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Zoe Papadopoulos
Actually, this isn't always correct. Sometimes the system DOES require both parents to complete separate sections, especially if you have different contribution situations. When my son applied last year, I completed my part but then my husband also had to complete his because we have separate assets even though we file jointly. You should definitely call FSA directly to confirm rather than assuming it's okay.
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MidnightRider
•That's true for certain situations, but based on what OP described, it sounds like a standard joint-filing household. The vast majority of jointly-filing parents only need one contributor section completed. But you're right that calling to confirm is never a bad idea!
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Carmen Ortiz
•Now I'm confused again... We don't have separate assets though, everything is joint. Do you think I still need to call? I don't want her SAI calculation to be wrong.
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Jamal Washington
Financial aid advisor here - let me clear this up: For the 2025-2026 FAFSA, joint-filing parents only need ONE parent to complete the contributor information. The system automatically sends emails to any parent with an FSA ID linked to the student, but only requires one to complete it. The only exceptions would be if: 1. You indicated separate financial situations despite joint filing 2. You're in a blended family situation with multiple parents/step-parents 3. There was a specific selection made during the application process requesting separate contribution information Based on what you've described, you're completely fine. Your daughter's application will process normally with just your husband's contributor information.
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Carmen Ortiz
•Thank you so much for the detailed explanation! We're definitely a standard household with joint everything, so it sounds like we're on the right track. Really appreciate your expertise.
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Mei Wong
wait so does that mean i can ignore the email too? my daughter just sent in her fafsa yesterday and both me and her stepmom got emails but were not sure who should fill it out
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Jamal Washington
•No, your situation sounds different. In blended families where there are step-parents involved, the system often needs information from both households. I'd recommend you both complete your sections unless your daughter specifically only listed one of you as a contributor during her application.
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Liam Fitzgerald
I had such a nightmare with this exact issue! Tried calling the Federal Student Aid number for THREE DAYS straight and kept getting disconnected or waiting for hours. Finally used Claimyr (claimyr.com) and got through to an agent in about 20 minutes who confirmed exactly what others are saying - only one parent needs to complete it for joint filers. They have a video showing how it works at https://youtu.be/TbC8dZQWYNQ and it saved me so much frustration. The agent I spoke with was super helpful and explained everything clearly.
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Carmen Ortiz
•Thanks for the tip! If we run into any more issues I'll definitely check that out. The waiting and disconnections are so frustrating when you're trying to get answers about something this important.
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PixelWarrior
•i used that service too after getting disconnected 5 times!! worked great and saved me hours of frustration
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PixelWarrior
the whole parent contribution thing is so confusing. my son did his fafsa and i get texts and emails but no instructions. why cant they just make it clearer?????
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Carmen Ortiz
•Exactly! The emails should just explain that for joint filers, only one parent needs to complete the section. Would save so much anxiety and confusion.
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MidnightRider
Just as a follow-up - be sure to have your daughter log back in exactly after the 3-day review period to check her SAI calculation and make sure everything looks correct. Sometimes there can be issues with the parent contribution information that aren't apparent until the full calculation is complete.
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Carmen Ortiz
•That's a great reminder, thank you! I'll mark the date on our calendar and make sure she checks everything as soon as the 3 days are up.
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