FAFSA confusion: Do both parents need to complete the form with joint tax returns?
I'm filling out the FAFSA for my daughter for the 2025-2026 year and I'm confused about the parent section. My husband and I file taxes jointly, but does that mean we both need to complete the entire FAFSA application separately? Or do we just both need to create FSA IDs? The instructions say something about a "contributor" but I'm not sure if that means both of us need to fill everything out or just the primary parent. This is our first time applying and I don't want to mess up her financial aid chances!
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Micah Franklin
You only submit one FAFSA application, but both parents who filed jointly need to be listed on that single application. You'll include both parents' income information from your joint tax return. However, both parents do need their own FSA IDs to sign the FAFSA electronically. The "contributor" section refers to anyone providing financial information on the application - in your case, that's both you and your husband. Hope that helps!
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Ruby Blake
•Thank you! So my husband and I both need FSA IDs, and we'll both be listed on the application, but we're only submitting one FAFSA application total? That makes more sense.
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Ella Harper
•wait i thought only one parent needed an fsa id? thats what we did last year and it went through fine
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Micah Franklin
•@catmom104 - Yes, exactly! One application with both parents' information. @jasonT - The rules changed with the new FAFSA. Previously only one parent needed to sign, but starting with the 2024-2025 FAFSA, both parents who file jointly now need their own FSA IDs to sign. It's part of the FAFSA Simplification Act changes.
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PrinceJoe
We just went through this whole process and it was a NIGHTMARE. Yes, you both need FSA IDs, but that's not even the worst part. When you get to the contributor section, make sure BOTH of you authorize the IRS data retrieval. My husband didn't do his part and our entire application got stuck in verification hell for 3 months!!! They wouldn't accept our tax transcripts we sent in and kept saying we needed to complete the IRS authorization. The whole system is designed to make people fail.
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Brooklyn Knight
•Same happened to my sister last year. So frustrating when they make the process harder instead of easier. Despite calling it "simplified" 🙄
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Owen Devar
•I had a similar issue with the IRS data retrieval, but I found a way to get through to an actual human at Federal Student Aid who helped resolve it in one call. I used a service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that got me past the hold times - they have a video showing how it works at https://youtu.be/TbC8dZQWYNQ. Definitely worth it when you're dealing with FAFSA issues that could impact thousands in aid.
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Daniel Rivera
To clarify a technical aspect: Under the FAFSA Simplification Act, both parents in a married-filing-jointly household need to provide consent for IRS data retrieval. This means: 1. Both parents need their own FSA IDs 2. Both must be listed as contributors on the single FAFSA form 3. Both must authorize IRS data transfer independently 4. Only one SAI (Student Aid Index) calculation results If parents file separately, they still both need to complete contributor sections but may need to manually enter tax data if they can't use the IRS retrieval tool. The system now verifies both SSNs against tax records when joint filing is indicated.
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Ruby Blake
•Thank you for the detailed explanation. What happens if my husband doesn't create an FSA ID? Will the application be automatically rejected?
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Daniel Rivera
•Your application won't be rejected immediately, but it will remain incomplete until both parents who filed jointly create FSA IDs and complete their contributor sections. An incomplete FAFSA won't generate an SAI, which means no aid eligibility determination will be made. Schools typically have priority deadlines, so delays could impact aid packages. I recommend having both parents complete their portions as soon as possible to avoid processing delays.
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Sophie Footman
my son did his fafsa last month and he just put me on it not his dad even tho we file jointly and it went through fine got his sai score and everything so maybe the other parent doesnt really matter?
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Micah Franklin
•That's surprising to hear. The requirements are very clear that both parents who file jointly need to be listed and need to complete their contributor sections. What likely happened is that your son's application will be flagged for verification later, which could delay or potentially reduce his aid. I'd recommend checking the status again or contacting the financial aid office at his school.
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Sophie Footman
•oh no really? he already got accepted to 2 schools with financial aid offers tho? now im worried
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Ella Harper
•same thing happened with my daughter but then we got a verification notice 6 weeks later and had to fix everything. tons of paperwork. almost missed the housing deadline bc of it
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Ruby Blake
Just an update - we got both FSA IDs created this weekend (took my husband 2 tries because he forgot his email verification code the first time). Now working on the actual FAFSA. The contributor section is confusing because it asked for my husband to "confirm his role" as parent but then asked ME questions about HIS income even though I selected that I was filling out my part? Does anyone know if that's normal?
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Micah Franklin
•Yes, that's normal but confusing! The system sometimes asks cross-verification questions. As long as both of you complete your sections and the final numbers match your joint tax return, you should be fine. Just make sure you both electronically sign at the end.
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Ruby Blake
•Thank you! This whole process is so stressful. I appreciate everyone's help.
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Caleb Stone
As someone who just went through this process with my twin daughters, I can confirm what others have said - both parents absolutely need FSA IDs if you file jointly. What I wish someone had told me upfront is to create both FSA IDs at least a week before you plan to start the actual FAFSA. Sometimes there are delays with email verification or the system being down. Also, make sure you have your tax return handy when you start because you'll need specific line items even if you use the IRS data retrieval tool. The whole process took us about 2 hours spread across a few days, but it was much smoother once we had all the prep work done. Good luck!
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Isabella Brown
•This is such helpful advice! I'm just starting this process for my son and had no idea about creating the FSA IDs early. Question - when you say "specific line items" from the tax return, do you remember which ones? I want to make sure I have everything ready before we begin. The two-hour timeframe sounds much more manageable than what I was expecting!
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