FAFSA for Multiple Kids - How to Link Parent Account with National Guard Student?

You actually use the same parent FSA ID for both kids! Your son creates his own FSA ID, then invites you using the same email you used for your daughter's FAFSA. The system will recognize you already have an account and link them together. I've done this with my three kids this year.

wait til u get to the actual application lol... the new FAFSA is a total nightmare. took me 8 tries to get through it for my oldest and now im doing it all over for my youngest. good luck!!

To clarify how the multiple student process works with the 2025-2026 FAFSA: 1. Each student creates their own FSA ID at studentaid.gov 2. Each student starts their own FAFSA application 3. When they reach the contributor section, they'll invite you using your email address 4. You'll receive separate invitation emails for each student 5. You use your single FSA ID to access both applications 6. Complete the parent/contributor sections for each student separately The system links all applications to your parent FSA ID, and you'll see all your connected students in your dashboard. For your National Guard son, make sure he indicates his military status correctly as it may affect his dependency status determination and potential aid eligibility beyond the NG tuition waiver.

Going through this exact situation right now with my son in the Guard and daughter in high school! The state waiver only covers tuition, but your son might qualify for additional federal aid to help with those dorm/fees costs at URI. Definitely still report all income accurately. Also, important tip - for the National Guard situation, your son should contact the URI financial aid office directly BEFORE submitting his FAFSA. Some schools need special documentation to properly code military benefits with federal aid. My son had to provide his Notice of Basic Eligibility (NOBE) so they could properly apply his Guard benefits without reducing other aid he qualified for.

The new FAFSA sucks!!! I had to submit my daughter's 3 TIMES because it kept losing our information. And when I called the help number I couldn't get through to anyone for DAYS. Total disaster!!

Just a heads up - I've been through this with my kids (one in National Guard like yours). With the new SAI formula on the 2025-2026 FAFSA, having multiple students in college doesn't give the same advantage it used to. Each student is evaluated more independently now. Make sure your son indicates his National Guard status correctly. Also, double-check the "dependency override" questions carefully - sometimes military service can affect dependency status, though weekend drilling National Guard members usually still count as dependents if they meet other criteria. Each student's SAI (Student Aid Index) will be calculated separately, and you'll need to watch for emails from BOTH students about their applications. The new system sometimes sends important notices to the student rather than the parent.

For National Guard members doing the typical one weekend per month plus two weeks in summer, they generally remain dependents if under 24 and not meeting other independence criteria. The military service that automatically confers independent status is active duty (not training). To directly answer your original question about multiple students: When you log into your FSA account as a parent, you'll see a dashboard that shows all students who have invited you as a contributor. You can toggle between their applications and complete your sections for each one. The system has improved in recent months - initially there were issues with the multiple student setup, but most have been resolved.

BTW tell ur son to check with the URI veterans office too, not just financial aid. My nephew got extra $ for books and stuff through some Guard education program that financial aid didnt even know about