FAFSA confusion: Using two different FSA IDs for same parent - will this cause problems?

Yes, this could potentially cause problems. The FAFSA system might flag the applications for verification when it detects the same parent (based on SSN) using two different FSA IDs. In the worst case, both applications might be delayed while the system tries to reconcile the conflicting information. You should contact Federal Student Aid to explain the situation and have them link the accounts properly.

omg this exact thign happened to me last yr with my twins!!! the system got all confused becuz my husband had 2 accounts. ended up getting flagged for verification and it took FOREVERRRR to sort out. like 2 extra months. super annoying!!

When the system detects the same SSN linked to two different FSA IDs, it will typically flag both applications for identity verification. Since the parent's information is required on both applications, having different IDs doesn't change the financial data being reported, but it does create a system inconsistency. I would recommend: 1. Use only ONE FSA ID going forward (probably the newer one) 2. Contact the Federal Student Aid office to explain the situation 3. Ask them to merge or link the accounts to prevent verification delays 4. Document all communications with FSA in case you need to provide this to the schools

I work in a college financial aid office and see this issue frequently. The FAFSA system uses the parent's SSN as the primary identifier, not the FSA ID. So having two different FSA IDs for the same parent (same SSN) will trigger a verification flag. The best approach is to call Federal Student Aid and explain the situation. Ask them to deactivate one of the FSA IDs and ensure the other one is properly linked to both student applications. Make sure to have the parent's permission and information when you call. And a tip from someone who deals with this bureaucracy daily - if you're having trouble getting through to FSA on the phone (which is very common), check out Claimyr.com. They've got a service that holds your place in line and calls you back when an agent is available. I've recommended it to several families this application season. They have a demo video of how it works here: https://youtu.be/TbC8dZQWYNQ

wait cant he just use the same id for both kids? why did u make a new 1?

My son's application was flagged for verification because of a similar issue - I had an old FSA ID from when my daughter applied years ago, but I couldn't remember the password, so I made a new one. It caused a huge headache!! The school's financial aid office didn't understand what happened, and we had to submit extra documentation proving I was the same person. It delayed his SAI calculation by about 6 weeks.

This situation is actually quite common with the FAFSA system, especially for families with multiple students. I've seen it happen regularly in my role as a financial aid counselor. The verification trigger happens because the system detects the same SSN being used with two different FSA IDs. Here's what I recommend: 1. Call the Federal Student Aid Information Center at 1-800-433-3243 2. Explain that the same parent has accidentally created two FSA IDs 3. Ask them to check which ID was most recently used to sign a FAFSA 4. Request that they make that one the primary account and deactivate the other The key is addressing this BEFORE both applications get flagged for verification. Once they're flagged, the process becomes much more complicated and time-consuming. Each school will handle verification differently, and you'll be dealing with multiple financial aid offices instead of just FSA directly. The good news is that this won't affect the students' eligibility for aid - it's purely an administrative issue. But it can definitely cause delays if not addressed promptly.

just wondering, dont the dad need to use his real ssn when making the FSA ID? if he used same ssn for both accounts shouldn't the system catch that???

UPDATE: I was able to speak with someone at FSA this morning! They confirmed this is a known issue and were really helpful. They're going to deactivate the old FSA ID and ensure the new one is properly linked to both students' applications. They said this shouldn't cause any delays as long as we caught it before the applications went into processing. Such a relief! Thanks everyone for your advice.

That's fantastic that you got it resolved so quickly! This is such valuable information for other counselors and families who might run into the same issue. It's reassuring to know that FSA has processes in place to handle these situations efficiently when caught early. Thanks for sharing the update - it gives me confidence that if I encounter something similar with my students, there's a clear path to resolution. The key takeaway seems to be acting fast and contacting FSA directly rather than trying to work around the problem.

This is such a helpful thread! As someone who's just starting to help families navigate FAFSA applications, I had no idea that having multiple FSA IDs with the same SSN could cause verification flags. The advice about contacting FSA directly before the applications get processed is really valuable. I'm curious though - for families who might be in similar situations but haven't caught it yet, is there a way to check if an application has already been flagged for verification? Or do you just have to wait to hear back from the schools?