FAFSA no-SSN parent section - has it been fixed for 2025-2026 applications?

Yes! The FAFSA parent SSN issue has been partially fixed in the new system, but there are still some quirks. For the 2025-2026 application, parents without SSNs can now properly enter all zeros (000-00-0000) in the SSN field without the system crashing like before. However, make sure they have their ITIN ready because sometimes the system will flag the application for manual verification. When helping students, I recommend having them complete that section with their parents present since the contributed support questions still need accurate responses. Also, remind them that parent citizenship status doesn't affect student eligibility as long as the student is eligible.

i tried to help my cousin last month and we still had issues even with the zeros trick. the page kept freezing when we entered zeros then tried to move to the next section. had to use safari instead of chrome and then it worked fine. weird glitch but try different browser maybe?

The Federal Student Aid office released an update specifically for this issue in March. Parents without SSNs SHOULD be able to complete their sections now by entering all zeros, but there are a couple important steps to follow: 1. The parent MUST select "No" to the "Do you have a Social Security number?" question first 2. Then enter all zeros (000-00-0000) in the SSN field 3. Have their ITIN ready for potential verification later 4. Complete the parent demographics section fully 5. Be prepared for an additional verification step via mail Make sure your students understand that this might trigger a manual review, which could add 3-4 weeks to their processing time. The good news is that unlike last year, the applications no longer get completely stuck or rejected. Just delayed.

I SPENT 4 MONTHS trying to get my son's FAFSA processed last year because of this EXACT issue!!! The system is still broken no matter what they claim. My husband has an ITIN but no SSN and we had to call FSA like 10 times before someone finally helped us. Every time I called I sat on hold for hours only to get disconnected. They keep saying it's "fixed" but it's NOT fixed completely - just less broken. Even with the zeros in the SSN field, the system still flagged us for "parent data issues" and we had to submit extra verification documents. If your students are in this situation, tell them to apply EARLY because it will take MONTHS to resolve.

have you tried using claimyr.com to get through to a FAFSA agent directly? i was having the same problem with my wife (she has itin only) and kept getting disconnected when calling fsa. someone recommended claimyr and i got through to an agent in about 10 mins who fixed the issue on our application. they have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/TbC8dZQWYNQ it was honestly worth it because the agent was able to override something in the system to properly process the app.

I'm currently stuck in this exact situation with my dad who doesn't have a SSN. We submitted with zeros like they said to but now we're in verification hell. Submitted all the documents 3 weeks ago and still nothing updated on my status. Has anyone gone through verification for this specific issue recently? How long did it take? My college needs my final SAI by next month and I'm freaking out!

An update on this: I just checked the FSA Partner Connect portal (I work at a college financial aid office), and they've issued another technical update for the FAFSA processing system specifically addressing contributor section errors for individuals without SSNs. The update went live last week. For the 2025-2026 FAFSA, the process should now properly handle the zero-SSN without triggering automatic verification, but only if: 1. The parent section is completed in a single session (don't save and come back) 2. All other parent data (name, DOB, address) is consistent with any previously submitted FAFSA data Also, make sure your students understand the new SAI system doesn't penalize them for parent immigration status - the calculated aid is based solely on financial factors, not documentation status.

my cousin did this last week actually. his mom has no ssn and he said it worked fine but took forever for the sai to come back. like 10 days instead of the usual 3-4.

After helping dozens of students with this exact issue, my advice is to have everything ready before starting: 1. Parent's ITIN number 2. Parent's income documentation (even if they filed with ITIN) 3. Address history for past 2 years 4. Any state ID numbers the parent might have The system works now, but it's particular about the order of operations. Have the parent physically present when completing their section, use a reliable internet connection, and complete it all in one session. For your community center, I'd suggest creating a checklist document of required materials tailored to no-SSN situations to give students before their appointment. It makes the process much smoother.

Thank you all for sharing your experiences! This is incredibly helpful. I'm planning to schedule dedicated sessions next week for the three students I mentioned. Based on what everyone has shared, I'll make sure to have them bring their parents, use Firefox or Edge browsers, complete everything in one session, and have all the documentation ready beforehand. It's reassuring to hear that while the system isn't perfect, it's significantly better than last year's disaster. I'll also reach out to our local college financial aid offices to let them know these students might need estimated packages while verification processes. Really appreciate this community - you've saved me and these students a lot of headaches!