FAFSA confused me - do both spouses need to complete separate parent sections when filing jointly?

same thing happened to us! turns out both parents need to create their own FSA IDs and complete separate sections even if u file taxes jointly. its dumb but thats how the 2025-2026 FAFSA works now

The new FAFSA system is completely different from previous years. Both contributing parents now need to create separate FSA IDs and individually provide consent/information, even when filing jointly. Your husband needs to log in with his own FSA ID (not yours) and complete his portion. The system needs both parents to verify identity separately even though the tax information is shared. This is part of the new "streamlined" process... though it feels anything but streamlined!

SAME EXACT ISSUE!!!! The 2025-2026 FAFSA is a NIGHTMARE compared to previous years. Both parents need separate FSA IDs and both need to give permission separately. My husband put it off for WEEKS and my son almost missed priority deadlines because of it. The emails are confusing and the website doesn't explain it clearly at all. Make sure your husband does his part ASAP because the SAI calculation won't happen until he does!!!

To clarify what everyone's saying: Yes, for the 2025-2026 FAFSA, both parents in a married household must create their own FSA IDs and individually complete their portions, even if you file taxes jointly. This is part of the new FAFSA process where each contributor (parent/spouse) must: 1. Create their own unique FSA ID (cannot share one) 2. Provide consent to use their tax information 3. Verify their identity separately 4. Electronically sign their portion While it seems redundant, this is actually to enhance security and ensure proper consent from all contributors. Your husband will need to respond to those emails and complete his section before your student's FAFSA can be fully processed and an SAI calculated.

Went thru this last month, wasted SO MUCH TIME trying to figure out why my daughter's FAFSA wasn't processing even tho i filled everything out!! Turns out my husband needed his own FSA ID and had to do a separate section. complete nonsense when we file taxes together but whatever

I've been calling the Federal Student Aid helpline for three days trying to get clarification on this exact issue. Keep getting disconnected or waiting for hours. Finally discovered Claimyr.com which connected me to an actual FSA agent in under 20 minutes. The agent confirmed that yes, both parents must complete separate sections even with joint tax filing. Saved me days of frustration - they have a video showing how it works at https://youtu.be/TbC8dZQWYNQ

We just went through this confusion too. My wife completed "our" section, but I still had to create my own FSA ID and log in separately to complete my part. From what I understand, the tax information itself doesn't need to be re-entered (it's pulled automatically through the IRS DRT), but each parent needs to: 1. Give permission for IRS data retrieval 2. Answer their own personal questions 3. Electronically sign their portion It took me maybe 15 minutes to complete once I had my FSA ID set up.

i hate the new fafsa so much!!! they said it was supposed to be easier but its 10x more confusing than before. why do both parents need separate logins when we file jointly??? makes no sense

Make sure your husband creates his FSA ID ASAP and completes his section. Our son's SAI calculation was delayed by almost 3 weeks because my husband didn't complete his portion, and we almost missed priority deadlines for several schools. Once both parent sections are complete, the SAI calculation should happen within 3-5 days (though some are reporting longer times this year).