FAFSA blocking demographics section - second child issue?

yep this happens, the student has to do their own demographics section. my kids got emails to complete their parts after i finished the parent stuff

This is actually how the new FAFSA is designed to work. With the streamlined 2025-2026 FAFSA, there's a clear separation between the contributor section (which you complete) and the student section (which your daughter needs to complete). The demographics portion is specifically for the student to fill out with their own FSA ID. The system will send your daughter an email notification once you've completed your portion, but sometimes these notifications can be delayed or go to spam folders. If she hasn't received anything, she can simply log in to her own StudentAid.gov account using her FSA ID and she should see the application waiting for her to complete.

I had the EXACT same problem with my twins last month. The demographic sections are LOCKED for parents - it's part of the new system. Your daughter needs to log in with her OWN FSA ID (not yours) to complete the student sections. The really annoying part is that sometimes the notification emails take FOREVER to arrive. My advice? Skip waiting for the email. Have her log directly into studentaid.gov with her FSA ID and the application should be there waiting for her input.

I work at a university financial aid office, and this is one of our most common questions this year! The redesigned FAFSA intentionally separates the process into contributor sections (for parents/guardians) and student sections. You're actually doing everything correctly. Here's what happens: 1. Parent creates an FSA ID and starts the FAFSA 2. Parent completes tax/financial information as a contributor 3. Parent invites student (automatically happens when you finish your part) 4. Student logs in with their own FSA ID 5. Student completes demographics and other student-specific sections If your older daughter already has a FAFSA, you should see both applications linked to your FSA ID as a contributor. Each student must have their own FSA ID to complete their own sections.

I bet your struggling to connect with FSA too. They're phones systems are the WORST! I spent 3 days trying to get through when both my kids applications got stuck after I completed my part. Finally used a service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that got me through to an actual human at FSA in like 20 minutes. They have a video demo at https://youtu.be/TbC8dZQWYNQ that shows how it works. The agent confirmed exactly what others are saying - parents do financial sections, students do demographics. Saved me so much frustration!

the new fafsa sux so bad!!! 😡 i had to fill out for my 3 kids and EVERY SINGLE ONE had issues. the demographics thing is normal - students do that part. but watch out because sometimes even after they do their part the system glitches and doesn't submit properly. check the status page obsessively!!

I went through this last week! Make sure your daughter has her own FSA ID (not just using yours). The system separates it so you do financial info and she does her personal info. My daughter got an email notification but it went to her junk folder so have her check there too. The SAI calculation won't start until both parts are done.

Just a heads up - after your daughter completes her part, the system takes about 3-5 days to process everything and generate the SAI (Student Aid Index). Then her colleges won't actually receive the information for another 7-10 days after that. The whole timeline is MUCH slower than previous years, so if she has February/March deadlines, make sure you're both finishing your sections ASAP!

did ur older daughter do the new fafsa this year too? if so you probably already know how it works lol