FAFSA confusion: Do both parents need to submit separate applications when filing taxes jointly?

I went thru this exact same headache! The new FAFSA system is SO messed up. If you file taxes jointly, only ONE parent needs to fill out the contributor section. When my daughter applied, both me and my wife got invites even though we file jointly. The system is broken and sending duplicate invites!!!

For the 2025-2026 FAFSA, if you and your husband file taxes jointly, technically only one parent needs to complete the contributor section. However, the new system sometimes requires both parents to submit information even with joint filing status. The safest approach is to keep both applications active, especially since one is already processed. Since your son's application was flagged for corrections but has since been updated, the continued 'processing' status on your husband's section might be related to system delays rather than anything you've done incorrectly. The SAI calculation should use whichever parent contribution is processed first in cases of joint filing.

Same thing happened with my twins!!! My part processed right away but my husbands stayed as "processing" for like 2 months! We called FSA and they said it was fine, the app was complete even tho his still showed processing. My kids both got their aid packages so I guess it worked out 🤷‍♀️

I've been trying to reach FSA for TWO WEEKS about this exact issue!!! Keep getting disconnected after waiting for hours. The whole system is GARBAGE. They completely botched the rollout of this new FAFSA. My daughter might lose her scholarship because of these delays and there's NOTHING we can do about it. This is absolutely ridiculous!!!

This new FAFSA system is awful. For what it's worth, I only submitted my information (not my wife's) since we file jointly and my daughter's application was processed fine. Got her SAI calculation last week and she's already received two financial aid packages from schools. I think having both parents submit just creates confusion in their system.

I'm in the same situation as you right now! So frustrating. My question is - do both parents need FSA IDs now with this new system? My husband doesn't have one yet, could that be why his part is stuck processing?

From what I understand about the 2025-2026 FAFSA, the system is designed to handle joint tax filing situations by allowing either parent to complete the contributor section. The Department of Education has stated that while both parents may receive invitations to contribute, only one needs to complete it if filing jointly. Regarding your specific situation, since your part has been processed and your son's application was corrected, I'd recommend: 1. Don't delete anything at this point 2. Check your son's Student Aid Index (SAI) - if it shows a calculated number, that means your application is complete 3. Contact your son's school's financial aid office to confirm they have received his FAFSA information The processing status on your husband's contributor section likely won't affect the actual aid determination if your section is complete and you file taxes jointly.

my son's fasfa took 3 months to process this year!! the new system is a joke... just keep checking and eventually it'll go through. we had to submit the same info like 3 times before it worked lol

Just to provide some closure on this thread - based on the most recent guidance from Federal Student Aid, for married parents who file taxes jointly, only one parent needs to complete the contributor section on the 2025-2026 FAFSA. However, both parents should have FSA IDs. The good news is that since: 1. Your contributor section shows as processed 2. Your son's SAI has been calculated 3. The corrections were completed successfully This means your son's FAFSA is complete and ready for schools to use for financial aid packaging, regardless of your husband's pending contributor status. The Department of Education has confirmed that in cases where multiple contributors are invited but only one is needed (as with joint tax filing), the system will use the completed contributor information to finalize the application.

As someone who just went through this nightmare with my daughter's FAFSA, I can confirm what others have said - the system is definitely buggy this year! We had the exact same situation where I completed my contributor section in February and it processed fine, but my husband's stayed stuck on "processing" for months even though we file jointly. What finally worked for us was just leaving both applications alone and focusing on whether the Student Aid Index (SAI) was calculated, which it sounds like yours now is! That's the key indicator that your son's application is actually complete from the Department of Education's perspective. One tip that might help others - we found that calling the school's financial aid office directly was way more helpful than trying to reach Federal Student Aid. The school could see on their end that all the necessary information had been received, even though the FAFSA website still showed confusing status messages. They were also able to confirm that our aid package wouldn't be delayed by the processing glitch. Hang in there - this new system has been frustrating for so many families, but it sounds like your son's application is in good shape!