FAFSA for twins - How do parent invites work when both submit separate applications?
I'm trying to figure out the logistics for FAFSA applications with my twins who are both heading to college next fall. I've been reading that students should fill out their portion first, then parents get an "invite" to complete their section. But I'm confused about how this works with twins! Do both my kids send me separate invites? Should I have one twin complete their app first, accept their invite and finish that FAFSA, then have the second twin start theirs? I'm worried about messing up their applications if I do this in the wrong order, especially since their financial aid packages could be different depending on their schools. Has anyone gone through this twin FAFSA scenario before?
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Carmen Ortiz
You'll get separate invites from each twin, and you'll need to complete the parent portion twice (once for each child). I've been through this with my twins last year. The system recognizes them as separate applicants even though you're entering identical financial information for both. I found it easiest to have both kids complete their portions around the same time, then I received two separate invites to my email. I completed one fully, then went back and did the second one. The nice thing is that for 2025-2026, the new FAFSA+ system will save some of your information, making the second application a bit faster.
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Yuki Tanaka
•That's a relief! I was worried their applications might somehow interfere with each other if done simultaneously. Did your twins get different aid packages even though your financial info was identical?
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MidnightRider
my triplets all did their fafsa last yr and i got 3 seprate invites in my email. its fine they all can do it at same time doesnt matter which order. just make sure u use exact same info for all parent sections or it can flag for verification!!
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Yuki Tanaka
•Triplets! And I thought twins was challenging! Thanks for the tip about using identical info - that makes sense.
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Andre Laurent
Parent of twins who are now sophomores here. A few important technical details to know: 1. Each twin must create their own unique FSA ID 2. Each will submit their own FAFSA application separately 3. You'll receive separate contribution invites for each child 4. Your parent FSA ID will be used for both applications 5. The system will recognize you're completing multiple applications I recommend having both twins complete their portions within a few days of each other. The parent portion for each will be nearly identical (same tax info, assets, etc.) but you must complete both separately. The new SAI calculation will be identical for both children since they're the same age and your financial information is the same, but their actual financial aid packages may differ depending on their schools.
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Zoe Papadopoulos
•Does this work the same if the twins are going to different schools? Will the parent still get separate invites?
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Andre Laurent
•Yes, it works exactly the same way regardless of whether they attend the same or different schools. Each student's FAFSA generates a separate parent contribution invite, and the parent must complete each one individually. The schools they list on their FAFSAs have no impact on how the parent invitation process works.
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Jamal Washington
I HATED dealing with this last year!!! The system is SO confusing. I had twins apply and got TWO invites but when I tried to do the second one it kept saying I already completed it and I had to call FSA and wait FOREVER to get it fixed. Apparently there was some glitch that linked both applications. Eventually got it sorted but took WEEKS and almost missed deadlines for scholarships. The whole system is broken!!!
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Mei Wong
•I had the same issue trying to reach FSA about a different problem. I finally used Claimyr (claimyr.com) to get through to an actual person at Federal Student Aid without waiting for hours. They have this system that calls and waits on hold for you, then calls your phone when an agent picks up. Saved me so much time! They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/TbC8dZQWYNQ
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Liam Fitzgerald
wait i thought with the new FAFSA+ system the parent doesn't get an "invite" anymore? isn't it all connected through the contributor system now where you just add your info directly? that's what our college advisor told us for 2025-2026 applications
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Carmen Ortiz
•You're partially right. The new FAFSA+ system still uses a contributor model, but instead of formal "invites" the student now lists contributors (typically parents) who will need to provide information. Those contributors then receive notification to complete their portion. The process is similar but the terminology and some of the workflow have changed. The parent still needs to create an FSA ID and complete separate contributions for each child.
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Yuki Tanaka
Thanks everyone for the helpful responses! Just to make sure I understand correctly - both twins can complete their portions around the same time, I'll get separate notifications for each, and I need to complete both parent portions separately using identical financial information. Makes sense now!
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Andre Laurent
•Exactly right! And a quick tip - when you complete the second application, have all your financial documents still handy because you'll need to enter the same information again. Even though it's redundant, you'll need to go through the entire process twice.
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Zoe Papadopoulos
my sister had twins last year and she said one got more aid than the other even with identical parent info. depends on what schools they apply to and their own merit scholarships etc
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Yuki Tanaka
•That's interesting and a bit concerning. I hope the colleges will consider that we have two kids attending simultaneously. I've heard there's some adjustment for multiple college students but wasn't sure how that works now with the new SAI system.
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Carmen Ortiz
•With the new FAFSA, multiple children in college is handled differently than before. The SAI calculation no longer includes the automatic reduction for multiple students that the old EFC had. However, individual colleges may still make adjustments to their aid packages when they see multiple students from the same household. It's definitely worth contacting each financial aid office directly to discuss your twin situation.
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Mateo Hernandez
Just wanted to add another perspective as someone currently going through this process with twins this year! One thing I discovered is that it's helpful to create a simple spreadsheet with all your financial information before starting either application. This way, when you're completing the second parent portion, you can just copy the exact same numbers and avoid any typos that might trigger verification issues. Also, make sure both twins use consistent naming conventions when they list you as their contributor - use your full legal name exactly as it appears on your tax return for both applications. This small detail can prevent headaches later!
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Nia Wilson
•That's such a smart tip about the spreadsheet! I'm definitely going to do that. I'm also wondering - should I wait for both twins to completely finish their student portions before I start either parent section, or can I complete one parent portion as soon as I get the first notification and then do the second one later when the other twin finishes?
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