FAFSA parent accounts - separate logins required for me and husband?
I'm starting our daughter's FAFSA for 2025-2026 and I'm confused about the login requirements. Do my husband and I both need to create separate FSA ID accounts, or can I make one account that covers both of us as parents? I tried looking at studentaid.gov but the instructions weren't clear to me. We're both on the same tax return, so it seems redundant to have two accounts, but I don't want to mess up her application. Anyone gone through this recently?
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Victoria Scott
Yes, you AND your husband BOTH need separate FSA ID accounts. This is non-negotiable. The system requires separate accounts for each parent because you'll both need to electronically sign different parts of the application. Each FSA ID is tied to a unique Social Security Number, so there's no way around it. I just went through this with my twins' applications last month.
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Benjamin Johnson
•yep what they said. both parents need their own FSA ID. its annoying but thats how the system works
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Ezra Collins
Oh that's frustrating! So even though we file taxes jointly, we still need two separate accounts? Does my husband need to create his account before I start filling out the application, or can I do most of it and then have him create his account when it's time to sign?
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Zara Perez
•You can definitely complete most of the application first, but your husband will need his own FSA ID to sign it. Just be aware that creating an FSA ID isn't always instant - they need to verify the information with the Social Security Administration, which can sometimes take 1-3 days. I'd recommend having him create his FSA ID soon, especially if you're approaching a deadline. Don't wait until the last minute because verification issues can occur unexpectedly.
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Daniel Rogers
When I tried to help my son with his FAFSA last fall, I ended up spending HOURS trying to get through to someone at Federal Student Aid when my husband's FSA ID wouldn't verify. I kept getting disconnected or waiting forever on hold. Finally I used Claimyr.com to get through to a live person without the wait. They have this system where they call FSA and wait on hold for you, then call you when they get an agent. Saved me so much frustration! There's a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/TbC8dZQWYNQ
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Aaliyah Reed
•is that legit? sounds kinda sketchy to me. why would you need a service to make a phone call for you??
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Zara Perez
To answer your email question - yes, each FSA ID must have its own unique email address. Your husband will need to use a different email than yours. Also, make sure both of you write down your FSA ID username (not email), password, and the challenge questions/answers. You'll need these every year for FAFSA renewal, and they're notoriously difficult to recover if forgotten.
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Ezra Collins
•That's really helpful, thank you! I'll make sure we both keep that information somewhere safe.
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Ella Russell
When i did my kids fafsa i actually just made both accounts myself lol. I know all my husbands info and i just created his FSA ID for him and kept track of everything. Saved him the hassle and made sure it was done right. He just had to sign in once at the end to approve it. Muuuuch easier!
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Victoria Scott
•I should caution against this approach. While it might seem convenient, creating an FSA ID for someone else is technically against FSA rules, even for spouses. Each person is supposed to create their own ID as it serves as a legal electronic signature. If there's ever an issue or investigation, this could potentially cause problems. Just wanted to mention this for others reading.
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Mohammed Khan
So this isn't directly answering ur question but I'm having a related issue!!! I'm trying to submit my FAFSA and my mom made an FSA ID but my stepdad who I live with refuses to make one. He's not my biological dad and doesn't want govt having his info. Will this mess up my SAI calculation??? Anyone know what to do in this situation?
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Victoria Scott
•This is a completely different situation that would be better as its own thread. It depends on whether your mother is married to your stepfather and if they file taxes jointly. If they're married, both of their incomes are typically considered for your FAFSA regardless of biological relationship. You might need to look into the special circumstances process if he's refusing to participate.
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Ezra Collins
I created my FSA ID yesterday and started the application. My husband is going to create his this weekend. One more question - since we filed taxes jointly, does it matter which one of us is listed as "Parent 1" on the FAFSA form? Or should I specifically be Parent 1 since I'm the one filling out most of the application?
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Victoria Scott
•It doesn't matter which parent is listed as Parent 1 versus Parent 2 for financial calculation purposes, since jointly filed tax information will be used either way. That said, it's often easier if the parent who is completing most of the application lists themselves as Parent 1 simply for consistency. Just be careful to keep track of which parent is which throughout the form, as mixing them up can cause confusion later, especially when it comes to signing.
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