FAFSA glitch keeps checking 'spouse has no SSN' box even after corrections - help!

This is a known issue with the new FAFSA system that's affecting quite a few contributors this application cycle. When the system encounters certain validation errors with the SSN format (even if you entered it correctly), it sometimes defaults back to the "no SSN" option as a failsafe mechanism. Here's what you need to do: 1. Log out completely from the studentaid.gov site 2. Clear your browser cache and cookies 3. Log back in using an incognito/private browsing window 4. Go directly to the contributor section 5. Enter the SSN with NO dashes or spaces (just the 9 digits) 6. Complete the rest of that page before touching the SSN field again 7. Save and proceed forward (don't go back) If that doesn't work, there's unfortunately a database issue on their end that you'll need to call FSA to resolve.

I had this EXACT problem last week!! It's so frustrating. None of the browser tricks worked for me. What finally fixed it was calling the Federal Student Aid Information Center. Took me 3 DAYS of calling to get through because their line is constantly busy. When I finally got an agent, they had to manually override something in their system. Apparently it's a data validation issue - if there's any mismatch between the SSN format and what their database expects, it defaults to the "no SSN" option. The agent confirmed they're seeing this a lot with the new redesigned FAFSA system. Keep trying the browser tricks first, but be prepared to call if needed.

Quick follow-up - I forgot to mention that if you need to call FSA, I used Claimyr (claimyr.com) to get through. It held my place in line and called me back when an agent was available instead of me sitting on hold for hours. They have a demo video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/TbC8dZQWYNQ Saved me so much frustration after days of busy signals and disconnects. The agent was able to fix the SSN issue in about 10 minutes once I actually got through to them.

It's legitimate - they don't access any of your FAFSA information. They just connect you with the FSA phone system and hold your place in line. You still talk directly to the official FSA representatives. It just saved me from having to redial constantly or sit on hold for hours.

Have u tried filling out the whole form on a different computer?? Sometimes the FASFA site gets weird with certain browsers or devices. My son's application kept doing something similar with my income information - I'd enter it and it would disappear!! We switched from his laptop to my desktop and suddenly it worked fine. Worth a try before u spend hours calling!

THE ENTIRE FAFSA SYSTEM IS GARBAGE THIS YEAR!!! 🤬 I've had nothing but problems since they rolled out these "improvements" that were supposed to make things easier. I've had fields randomly reset, verification documents disappear, and now my daughter's SAI calculation is completely wrong because it's missing half our household information. The worst part is you can't even get anyone on the phone - busy signals for DAYS or they put you on hold for 2+ hours and then DISCONNECT you! Meanwhile, scholarship deadlines are approaching and schools need this information. Does anyone at the Department of Education actually TEST these systems before rolling them out??? Sorry for the rant, but I'm at my wit's end with this whole process.

Just to add some clarity here - there are two separate issues that could be causing this: 1. A CLIENT-SIDE issue: This is where your browser is caching old form data or there's a JavaScript error preventing the form from saving properly. This is why the suggestions about clearing cache, using incognito mode, or trying a different device sometimes work. 2. A SERVER-SIDE issue: This is where something in the FSA database is triggering a validation error with the SSN, causing it to default back to the "no SSN" option. This requires calling FSA directly to have them fix it in their system. For OP, I'd suggest trying the browser/device fixes first since they're quick and easy. If those don't work, then you'll need to contact FSA directly. And yes, unfortunately, the redesigned FAFSA system has had numerous issues this cycle - they made major changes to both the front-end interface and the underlying SAI calculation methodology all at once, which has led to many integration problems.

If you need to call FSA, make sure you have: 1. Your daughter's FSA ID 2. Your own FSA ID (since you're the parent/contributor with the issue) 3. The confirmation number from the application 4. Your husband's correct SSN written down 5. A screenshot of the error (if possible) The agent will likely ask you to verify some personal information to confirm your identity before making changes. Tell them specifically that the system keeps defaulting to "spouse has no SSN" despite your corrections. They've been seeing this issue, so they should know how to fix it.

did u check if maybe ur husband is accidentally logged in on another device?? my wife and i were both trying to help our son at the same time from different computers and it kept overriding each others changes lol. might be something simple like that?

I work at a college financial aid office, and we're seeing this issue frequently with the new FAFSA. There's a known bug in the system affecting contributor information, especially SSNs. One workaround we've found that sometimes works: after entering the SSN, immediately save the page WITHOUT making any other changes, then exit to the main menu (don't just go back), then re-enter the form and continue from there. For some reason, making multiple changes on the same page at once seems to trigger the reset issue. If that doesn't work, unfortunately calling FSA is your only option. Be sure to request a "case number" when they resolve it so you have documentation that the correction was made officially.

Just wanted to share that I submitted my daughter's FAFSA with a similar issue unresolved (couldn't get through to anyone) and her college financial aid office was actually able to help fix it on their end after we submitted proof of my spouse's SSN to them directly. Might be worth checking with your daughter's schools to see if they can assist if you can't resolve it through FSA.

UPDATE: I tried all the browser tricks (clear cache, incognito mode, different device) with no luck. The SSN field would accept the number, but after saving and returning, it would be gone again with that box checked. I ended up using that Claimyr service someone mentioned to get through to FSA - got a callback in about 45 minutes instead of spending hours redialing. The agent confirmed it was a known database issue on their end. Apparently, there was a mismatch between how my husband's name was entered and his SSN record in their system (he goes by his middle name, but his SSN is under his first name). The agent manually overrode the error and fixed it in their system. They gave me a case number and told me to wait 48 hours before checking again. Just checked today and FINALLY his SSN is showing correctly and that box is unchecked! Thanks everyone for your help with this frustrating issue!

Great to see you got this resolved! This is exactly why I always recommend documenting these types of system issues. The name mismatch issue you described is becoming more common with the new FAFSA - they've tightened up their identity verification processes, which is good for security but creates problems when people use different versions of their names on different documents. For anyone else dealing with similar issues, it's worth checking if there are any discrepancies between: - How your name appears on your SSN card - How it appears on your tax returns - How you entered it in the FAFSA Even something as simple as using "Bob" vs "Robert" or including/excluding a middle initial can trigger these validation errors. The system is much less forgiving than it used to be. Thanks for sharing the resolution - posts like this are invaluable for other families going through the same nightmare!