FAFSA parent account locked out - desperate for help with Parent PLUS loan deadline
I'm at my wits' end trying to access my FSA ID account to help my son apply for a Parent PLUS loan. Every time I log in, it says my account is locked for 'security reasons' but gives ZERO helpful information on how to fix it! I've tried resetting my password THREE different times and still get locked out immediately. My son's fall tuition payment is due in 3 weeks, and without this loan, he can't register for classes. The deadline to complete the Parent PLUS application is in 10 days. Has anyone else had this nightmare with the studentaid.gov parent portal? What fixed it for you? Getting desperate here!
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Mohamed Anderson
I had this exact same problem last month! The FSA ID system is so frustrating. For me, the issue was that I had entered my SSN incorrectly on my original FSA ID setup. Here's what fixed it for me: 1. Clear your browser cache and cookies completely 2. Use the 'Forgot Username' option instead of password reset 3. When you get to the identity verification step, double-check that your SSN, DOB, and name EXACTLY match your Social Security card 4. Create a completely new password that you've never used before (make sure it meets all their requirements) After I did this, I could finally get in. The Parent PLUS loan process itself only took about 15 minutes once I could access my account.
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Selena Bautista
•Thank you SO MUCH! I'll try the 'Forgot Username' path right now. One question - when I do that, will it delete my previous FSA ID setup? I'm worried about having to start the whole Parent PLUS application over from scratch if I mess with my account too much.
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Ellie Perry
the fafsa website sucks lol. my wife had same problem and we just made a new account with her other email. worked fine after that
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Landon Morgan
•Creating a new FSA ID is actually not recommended in this situation and can cause bigger problems down the road. Each person should only have ONE FSA ID tied to their Social Security Number. Having multiple IDs can trigger a fraud alert and completely lock you out of the system, which would delay the Parent PLUS application even further.
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Teresa Boyd
I spent 6 HOURS yesterday trying to reach someone at Federal Student Aid about my locked account!!! Kept getting disconnected after waiting 45+ minutes each time. Their system is completely broken and they know it. The whole thing is designed to prevent people from getting aid. My daughter almost missed her entire freshman year because of these "technical issues" that magically appeared right before the deadline.
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Lourdes Fox
•I've been able to reach FSA agents by phone using Claimyr (claimyr.com). It held my place in the phone queue so I didn't have to stay on hold forever. There's a video showing how it works here: https://youtu.be/TbC8dZQWYNQ - I was skeptical at first but it actually got me through to a real person who unlocked my account. Definitely worth it when you're running against deadlines like with the Parent PLUS application.
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Bruno Simmons
Financial Aid Advisor here - this is unfortunately a common issue with parent FSA IDs. A few technical points that might help: 1. The system is particularly sensitive to mismatches between your FSA ID information and your tax records. Even a hyphen in the wrong place can trigger security locks. 2. For Parent PLUS loans specifically, remember that the credit check is only valid for 180 days, so if you started an application months ago and got locked out, you may need a new credit check anyway. 3. If you absolutely cannot access your FSA ID and have tried all the reset options, your son can actually initiate the Parent PLUS loan without your FSA ID by using the "An endorser will complete the application" option, then you complete your portion by paper. Not ideal, but it's a backup option if you're truly stuck. 4. Calling is definitely the fastest solution, though as others mentioned, reaching an agent can be difficult during peak season (which we're in now).
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Selena Bautista
•Thank you for these details! I didn't know about the paper option - that might be our backup plan. Stupid question maybe, but is an "endorser" the same as the parent borrower? The terminology is confusing.
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Bruno Simmons
•No, that's a great question! An endorser is actually different from the parent borrower. The endorser option is typically used when a parent is denied the PLUS loan due to credit issues, and someone else (with better credit) agrees to co-sign the loan. What I should have specified is that your son can select the option "My parent will submit a paper PLUS application" - that's the correct backup path if you can't access your FSA ID. Sorry for the confusion! The financial aid office at your son's school can provide the paper form if needed.
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Aileen Rodriguez
did u try using a different browser? worked for me when chrome kept locking me out
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Selena Bautista
UPDATE: Finally got in!!! What worked was a combination of things: 1. Used Firefox instead of Chrome (thanks @casual_browser!) 2. Cleared ALL cookies and history 3. Used the Forgot Username option as suggested 4. Called FSA using the Claimyr service someone mentioned - actually got through to a person who manually removed the security lock while I was on the phone with them The Parent PLUS application is now DONE and submitted! They said the approval should come through in 3-5 business days. Thank you all SO MUCH for your help!
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Mohamed Anderson
•Great news! Make sure to tell your son to check with his school's financial aid office in about a week to confirm they've received the PLUS loan information on their end. Sometimes there can be a disconnect between approval and the school actually receiving the information in their system.
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Zane Gray
•congrats!! the relief must be amazing! went through something similar last yr with my daughters SAI calculation being stuck in verification hell until 2 days before tuition was due
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