FAFSA name mix-up: Put parent name as student - how to fix processed application?

This happens more often than you'd think! You'll need to contact Federal Student Aid directly to correct the processed application. The "correction" feature won't work for changing the student name since that's a fundamental identity change. For the second application, clear your browser cache completely and try using a different browser - the system sometimes gets confused when there are multiple applications from the same IP address.

same thing happnd to me last year lol. you gotta call the fafsa ppl directly, they fixed mine in like 10 min

I had the EXACT SAME PROBLEM!! The FSA website is so confusing and poorly designed. I spent TWO WEEKS trying to fix this exact issue for my son's application. The "correction" feature doesn't work for student name changes - it's ridiculous! You have to call and speak with an actual human being. Good luck getting through though - I spent 3 days trying before I finally got someone on the line.

Financial aid advisor here. This is a common mistake with a clear solution path: 1. Do NOT cancel either application yet 2. For the processed application with incorrect names, you'll need to call FSA directly at 1-800-433-3243 3. Request a "name correction" specifically - explain it was a parent/student mix-up 4. For the second application that's kicking you out, try using the FSA ID recovery tool first before continuing The system often struggles when there are multiple applications with overlapping PII (personally identifiable information). The phone representatives can put a note in the system to prioritize the correct application once they've helped you sort out the error.

Try using Claimyr to get through to an FSA agent without the wait. I was dealing with a similar FAFSA issue (application stuck in verification) and was facing 2+ hour hold times. Used claimyr.com and they got me connected to an agent in about 10 minutes. They have a video demo at https://youtu.be/TbC8dZQWYNQ that shows how it works. Totally worth it when you're dealing with application deadlines.

My sister made this exact same mistake last year!!! She was sooooo stressed about it. What ended up happening was she had to physically go to the financial aid office at my niece's school and they helped her sort it out with FSA directly. They actually have special access channels that can sometimes move things along faster. Have you tried contacting your daughter's school financial aid office?

After you get this resolved, make sure both you and your daughter set up separate FSA IDs for future years. Having those established separately beforehand helps prevent this mix-up. Also, for the Action Required error you're getting, try accessing it very early in the morning (like 5-6 AM) when the system isn't as overloaded. Sometimes the timeout issues are just related to high traffic volume.

Just wanted to follow up - once you get the name issue corrected, you'll need to ensure that all tax information is properly aligned with the correct person. Double-check that parent income is reported under the parent section and that any student income is correctly categorized. The most common follow-up error after fixing a name mix-up is having income attributed to the wrong person.

MAKE SURE YOU DOCUMENT EVERYTHING!! Get the name of every person you talk to and case numbers for every call. I learned this the hard way when they lost track of my correction request and I had no way to prove I'd called before. Take screenshots of everything too! The FAFSA system is a bureaucratic nightmare.

same thing happened to my cousin. ended up having to start over completely with a new fsa id for both him and my aunt. took forever but worked eventually.

UPDATE: I finally got through to FSA this morning! They confirmed I need to keep the second application (the one with correct student info) and they're helping me resolve the "Action Required" error. They put a note in the system about the first application with the name mix-up. The agent said this happens all the time and should be resolved within 3-5 business days. Thank you all for your help!

So glad to hear you got this resolved! This thread is going to be super helpful for other parents who run into the same issue. I'm bookmarking it for future reference since I have two more kids who'll be applying for FAFSA in the next few years. The combination of calling FSA directly, using Claimyr to avoid hold times, and getting proper case numbers seems like the winning strategy. Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences!

This is such a comprehensive thread - thank you everyone for sharing your experiences! As someone who works in college admissions, I see this exact scenario play out multiple times every year. Dylan's situation is actually pretty typical, and I'm so glad to see the community rally with practical solutions. A few additional tips for anyone else facing this: 1) If you're still within 72 hours of submitting the incorrect application, FSA sometimes has faster resolution pathways, 2) Always mention if you have pressing school deadlines when you call - they can sometimes expedite urgent cases, and 3) Keep your school's financial aid office in the loop throughout the process, as they can often provide status updates on their end once corrections are submitted. The FAFSA system definitely has its quirks, but with persistence and the right approach, these issues almost always get resolved!

As a parent who just went through this exact nightmare last month, I can't stress enough how important it is to stay calm and follow the systematic approach everyone has outlined here. Dylan, you're doing everything right by getting proper case numbers and documentation. One thing I'd add - after your issue gets resolved, consider doing a "test run" of the FAFSA process with your daughter present so she understands how it works for future years. My mistake taught us both valuable lessons about the system. Also, don't forget to check that your daughter's college receives the corrected SAR (Student Aid Report) once everything is fixed. Sometimes there's a delay between FSA processing the correction and schools receiving the updated information. Hang in there - you'll get through this and your daughter will get her financial aid sorted out!

As someone who made a similar mistake two years ago (mixed up SSNs instead of names), I wanted to add that once you get your correction processed, make sure to print and save copies of EVERYTHING - the corrected FAFSA, the SAR, and any correspondence from FSA. My son's school initially processed aid based on the incorrect application even after FSA had corrected it, and having those printed documents saved us weeks of back-and-forth. Also, if your daughter has any other schools she's considering, reach out to their financial aid offices proactively to let them know about the correction. Some schools can put a note in their system to watch for the updated information. The whole process is stressful but you're handling it exactly right by being persistent and documenting everything!

Wow, what a comprehensive thread! As someone who's been lurking in this community for a while but never posted, I had to jump in because this exact scenario is my biggest fear as I'm preparing to fill out my son's FAFSA for the first time next month. Dylan, your experience and everyone's responses have been incredibly educational - I'm taking notes on everything from setting up separate FSA IDs to using Claimyr for phone support. The fact that this is such a common mistake actually makes me feel better, knowing there are established solutions. I'm definitely going to have my son sit with me when we fill it out so we can double-check everything together. Thank you all for being so helpful and supportive - this community is amazing!