FAFSA contributor confusion - do both parents need accounts when filing jointly?

same boat! spent 3hrs yesterday battling this. the govt website is SO BAD

For married parents filing jointly, only ONE parent needs to create a contributor account. The confusion comes from the fact that while both parents' information will be used, only one parent actually needs to create an account and complete the form. The system is designed to collect information about both parents through a single contributor account when you indicate you're married filing jointly. Here's what you need to do: 1. Decide which parent will be the contributor (either you or your husband) 2. That parent creates a studentaid.gov account with their own FSA ID 3. Once created, use the link in the email from your daughter's invitation 4. During the process, you'll indicate you're married filing jointly 5. You'll enter information for both parents during the process Don't create two separate parent accounts - this will cause problems in the system.

No, it doesn't matter which parent creates the contributor account when you file jointly. Either parent can serve as the contributor - the system will collect information about both parents regardless of which one creates the account. Just be consistent about which parent is the contributor throughout the entire process.

my daughter tryed for 3 weeks to get us connected and we just gave up lol the financal aid office at her community college helped us do it in person. maybe try that route?

Let me clear up the confusion with the EXACT steps for parents filing jointly: 1. Your daughter already created her account and added both parents - that's correct 2. Only ONE parent needs to create a studentaid.gov account 3. That parent will receive an email invitation with a specific link 4. The invitation email subject line should read "Action Required: [Student's Name] has added you as a contributor to their 2025-2026 FAFSA form" 5. Click the "Create Account" button in that email (if you can't find it, search your spam/junk folders) 6. During account creation, you'll specify you're married filing jointly 7. You'll enter financial information for BOTH parents during the process The confusion stems from the fact that while both parents' information is required, only one parent actually needs to create an account. The system processes the jointly filed tax information through one parent's account.

My kids did FAFSA last yr and this yr and its way more confusing now!! what is even UP with all these changes they made? My son's college financial aid office told us that we should check the status by phone but good luck actually talking to a human!

I just went through this last week and was so frustrated! Here's what worked for me as a parent: 1. First, ignore the confusing instructions everywhere 2. Only one parent should create an account (I did it since I handle our finances) 3. Use the email link that your student sent when they added you as a contributor 4. During the process, select "married filing jointly" when asked 5. You'll enter ALL tax info for both parents from your joint return 6. The SAI calculation will use both parents' info even though only one parent has the account Also, make sure you have your 2023 tax returns handy because they ask for specific line items. Hope this helps!

One more important tip - when creating your FSA ID as the parent contributor, use a different email address than your student used. The system requires unique emails for each account. Also, keep track of your FSA ID username and password - you'll need it again next year and for any corrections.

Congratulations on getting through the process! This thread has been so helpful - I'm bookmarking it for other parents who are struggling with the same confusion. The FAFSA website really needs to clarify their instructions because the mixed messaging about one vs. two parent accounts is causing so much unnecessary stress. For anyone else reading this: the key takeaway is that married parents filing jointly only need ONE contributor account, but you'll enter information for both parents during the process. Thanks to everyone who shared their experiences!