FAFSA Parent Contributor Without SSN - FSA ID System Error Loop for Non-US Citizens

This is actually a known bug in the new FSA ID system for parent contributors without SSNs. The mobile verification step is incorrectly routing non-US citizens back to the SSN requirement page instead of moving forward to the identity verification section. You need to use a specific workaround: Try completing the process using a desktop computer (not mobile device) with a VPN set to a US location. Also, make sure you're using Chrome or Firefox (Edge has compatibility issues). When you get to the phone verification step, leave it blank initially and look for a tiny "verification alternatives" link at the bottom of that page - it's easy to miss. This will route you to the document upload page where you can submit your passport.

omg im dealing with the EXACT same issue with my dad!!! he lives in singapore and we've tried like 8 times to get his FSA ID. the system is so broken lol. every time we call the number it just disconnects after 20 mins on hold. did u ever get this figured out??

Have you tried submitting a support ticket through the StudentAid.gov website instead of calling? When I had a similar issue (though I'm a US citizen with SSN), I got a response within 3 days. Also maybe your daughter could talk to her school's financial aid office - sometimes they have direct contacts at FSA and can escalate these technical issues.

I faced the same issue last month with my FAFSA application (I'm a parent in Canada). After trying everything, I finally used Claimyr to reach a live Federal Student Aid agent - it's the only thing that worked after 3 weeks of frustration. The agent manually created a case for me and escalated it to their IT department. They sent me a special link to upload my identification documents (passport) directly. Within 72 hours, I had my FSA ID and could complete the parent portion. Check out their site at claimyr.com - they have a video demo at https://youtu.be/TbC8dZQWYNQ that shows exactly how it works. Literally saved my son's financial aid application.

tHE WHOLE FAFSA SYSTEM IS TRASH!!!! i wasted SIX WEEKS trying to help my nephew's mom (from mexico) create her FSA ID. ended up having to submit paper forms and now financial aid is delayed. dont trust ANYTHING the new "simplified" system claims!!! its all lies.

As a college financial aid advisor, I've been seeing this issue frequently with our international parents. The FSA ID system was updated for the 2024-2025 FAFSA but they didn't properly test all user pathways for non-US contributors. Here's the official workaround from the Department of Education (though they haven't published it widely): 1) Use Firefox browser only, 2) Disable all browser extensions, 3) When you reach the phone verification page, look for "Need help verifying your information?" at the very bottom - it's in small grey text and easy to miss, 4) This takes you to an alternate verification path where you can submit your non-US ID. Also important: your daughter should contact her schools' financial aid offices to let them know about this technical issue - many are making accommodations for delayed parent contributor information due to these known FSA ID problems.

does anyone know if this affects the SAI calculation if parents cant get logged in? will they just use the student info only or will they deny the whole application?????

UPDATE: I tried using Firefox with all extensions disabled as suggested, and I FINALLY found that tiny "Need help verifying your information?" link at the bottom of the phone verification page! It was literally the smallest text on the entire page and easy to miss. This took me to an alternate pathway where I could upload my passport. I received an email saying they'll verify my identity within 3-5 business days. Thank you all so much for your help - especially the tip about using Firefox specifically. Will update again once I get confirmation.

my brother had same problem when helping with my fafsa. he doesn't have ssn, he lives in canada. we ended up using my mom instead because she has green card. sometimes easier just to use different parent if possible?

FINAL NOTE FOR ANYONE FINDING THIS THREAD: The Department of Education has finally acknowledged this bug and is working on a fix. Until then, they've created a special email address specifically for non-US parent contributors facing this issue: FSAID.international@ed.gov. Include your student's name and DOB (but NO financial information) and they can help troubleshoot these cases directly. They're typically responding within 48 hours. This is more reliable than calling the general helpline, which isn't equipped to handle the technical aspects of these cases.

I'm dealing with a similar situation right now! My mom is trying to create her FSA ID from the UK and we keep hitting the same loop you described. It's so frustrating that they claim the system is "simplified" but it seems like it's actually harder for international parents than before. I'm going to try the Firefox browser solution mentioned here - I had no idea that different browsers could cause such different results with government websites. Has anyone had success with the special email address that was mentioned? I'm wondering if that might be faster than waiting for the document verification process.

This thread has been so helpful! I'm a new parent trying to navigate this system for the first time and I had no idea there were so many technical workarounds needed. My husband is from Australia and we've been stuck in this exact same loop for about 3 weeks now. I'm going to try both the Firefox browser method and email the special FSAID.international@ed.gov address. It's really frustrating that these solutions aren't documented anywhere official - thank goodness for communities like this where people share what actually works! Quick question: for those who successfully got through the process, did you need to have any specific documents ready beyond just the passport? I want to make sure I have everything prepared before we attempt this again.