FAFSA parent contributor stuck: Can't create FSA ID without US phone number as international parent

This is actually a common issue for international parents! You have a few options: 1. You CAN use a US-based relative's phone number, but they need to be able to receive the verification code and relay it to you immediately. The system doesn't actually verify that the phone belongs to you specifically. 2. Consider getting a US virtual phone number through services like Google Voice that can receive texts. You'll need a VPN set to a US location when setting this up. 3. There's an alternative verification path: If you return to the FSA ID registration and select 'Verify My Identity' but then choose the option that says you're unable to verify by phone, it should offer you mail verification options. Don't stress too much about the deadline - your daughter can actually start her FAFSA without your contributor section complete, and you can be added later. Just make sure she submits something before the priority deadlines.

omg i had the EXACT same problem!!!! my mom lives in Brazil and we spent like 2 whole weekends trying to figure this out! what finally worked was using my aunt's phone # who lives in florida. you just need the verification code sent to SOMEONE in the US who can text it to you right away. the fafsa website is seriously the worst designed thing ever lol

Have you considered using a temporary US phone service? I see lots of recommendations for TextNow or Google Voice, but when I tried TextNow for verification texts, it didn't work for government sites. Something about the numbers being flagged as VOIP.

The whole system is RIGGED against international families! I went through this nightmare last year and it took us 5 WEEKS to resolve! The ridiculous part is that they claim the new "simplified" FAFSA is supposed to be more accessible, but they completely ignored families with international components. I ended up having to use my brother's phone in Chicago, but then they wanted verification documents mailed to HIS address, not mine! The entire thing is designed with zero consideration for global families. My advice? Start harassing your representatives. Seriously. I finally got help when I contacted my congress person's education liaison. The regular support channels are USELESS.

have u tried using ur kids US phone number for ur FSA ID? thats what my dad did (hes in Canada) and it worked fine

Financial aid advisor here with some technical clarification: The FSA ID system has specific requirements for international contributors: 1. For US citizens living abroad: You should be able to use your SSN in the system, but you'll need a US phone number for verification OR use the mail verification option. 2. For non-US citizen parents: You should create an FSA ID without an SSN by selecting the appropriate option, but you'll still need either a US mailing address or a US phone number for verification. The simplest solution is often to use a trusted US-based relative's phone number temporarily. Once your FSA ID is created and verified, you can update your contact information. Also important: Make sure you're creating the FSA ID on studentaid.gov directly, not through any third-party sites. And use a desktop/laptop rather than mobile device - the mobile experience often has more issues with international numbers.

I had the same problem trying to reach FSA for weeks! Finally used Claimyr.com to get through to a live agent without waiting for hours. They basically connect you with an agent in minutes - here's a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/TbC8dZQWYNQ The agent walked me through an alternative verification process for my husband who's working in Dubai. They have specific procedures for international contributors that aren't explained on the website at all. Saved us so much frustration!

As someone who works with many families in similar situations, here's what I recommend: 1. Try the mail verification option first - it's the most reliable for international parents 2. If you need a faster solution, there's an exception process available by calling FSA directly (though getting through is challenging) 3. Document everything! If your daughter misses any school-specific priority deadlines due to this technical issue, many financial aid offices will grant extensions if you can prove you were actively trying to resolve a system limitation 4. Make sure your daughter has started her portion of the application even if your contributor section isn't complete The most important thing to understand is that this is a known issue affecting thousands of families, and schools are generally understanding about it. Just make sure to communicate with the financial aid offices at her prospective schools.

Just FYI - the FSA website says they're supposedly "working on" a solution for international contributors but they've been saying that for YEARS. Don't hold your breath for an actual fix. The entire system is completely US-centric with zero consideration for global families. Even their own support staff often don't know the proper procedures for international situations. It's infuriating.

Update: We finally got it working! For anyone who might face this issue in the future, here's what worked for us: 1. I used my daughter's US mobile number for verification (with her permission) 2. Completed the process on a laptop with a US VPN as suggested 3. Made sure to select "US citizen living abroad" rather than "international parent" 4. For the address verification, I used my US-based sister's address temporarily After creating the FSA ID successfully, I was able to update my email and mailing address to my actual Singapore information. Thank you all for your incredibly helpful suggestions! My daughter has now sent me the contributor invitation and I'm working on completing my portion of her FAFSA application. Such a relief!

This thread is exactly what I needed to see! I'm dealing with the same issue as a US citizen living in the UK. My son is applying for college next year and I've been dreading the FAFSA process after hearing horror stories from other expat families. Your solution breakdown is incredibly helpful - I'm bookmarking this post for when we hit this roadblock. The tip about using "US citizen living abroad" rather than "international parent" seems crucial. I also appreciate the heads up about needing a US address for initial verification. One question for anyone who's been through this: did you encounter any issues later in the process when schools verify your information? I'm wondering if using a temporary US address for FSA ID creation causes problems down the line when they see your actual international address on tax documents.

As a financial aid counselor who works with many expat families, I want to add a few important points to this excellent discussion: First, congratulations to Raul on getting through the FSA ID creation! Your step-by-step breakdown will help countless other families. For anyone still struggling with this issue, I'd emphasize that the "US citizen living abroad" designation is absolutely critical - don't select "international parent" if you're a US citizen, even if you've been living overseas for years. Also, regarding Eva's concern about address verification later: Financial aid offices are very familiar with this workaround. When you submit verification documents, just include a brief explanation letter stating that you used a US address for FSA ID technical requirements but your actual residence is [your international location]. I've never seen a school reject aid because of this discrepancy - they understand the system limitations. One additional tip: Keep screenshots of any error messages you encounter during the FSA ID process. If you need to contact schools about delays, having documentation of the technical issues strengthens any requests for deadline extensions. The system definitely needs improvement for international families, but don't let these hurdles discourage you from pursuing financial aid!

Great questions, Zoe! Beyond the FSA ID creation, here are the main pitfalls I see with expat families: **Tax Documentation Issues:** - Make sure you have your US tax return (even if you file from abroad using FAFSA prior year) - If you use Foreign Earned Income Exclusion, schools may add that excluded income back into aid calculations - Have documentation ready to explain any foreign tax credits or exclusions **Income Reporting Complications:** - Convert ALL foreign income to USD using IRS exchange rates for the tax year (not current rates) - Report foreign bank accounts and investments - many parents forget this step - Be prepared to explain income fluctuations due to currency changes **Timeline Challenges:** - International mail delays can affect verification document submissions - Some schools require original documents that take weeks to mail internationally - Plan for extra time in every step of the process **For Resources:** - EducationUSA offices in your country often have FAFSA guidance for expats - The Federal Student Aid website has an "International Students" section (though limited) - Connect with other expat families through international school counselors or US expat community groups **Pro tip:** Contact financial aid offices directly at your target schools and ask if they have staff who specialize in international family situations. Many larger universities do, and they can walk you through their specific requirements and common issues they see with expat families. The process definitely has its challenges, but schools want to help international families succeed - don't hesitate to ask for guidance throughout the process!

What an incredibly helpful thread! As someone who works with international families regularly, I'm amazed by how many practical solutions emerged from this discussion. The collective knowledge here really shows how this community supports each other through these bureaucratic nightmares. A few additional thoughts for anyone still struggling with FSA ID creation: **Timing matters**: Try creating your FSA ID during US business hours (Eastern time) - the system seems more stable then and you're more likely to reach support if needed. **Browser considerations**: Clear your cache and cookies before starting, and disable any ad blockers. Some users report better success with Chrome or Firefox over Safari. **Documentation backup plan**: While working through the FSA ID process, simultaneously start gathering your verification documents (tax returns, W-2s, foreign income documentation). This way if there are delays with the FSA ID, you're not scrambling to collect papers later. **School communication**: Send a brief email to your student's target schools' financial aid offices letting them know you're an international contributor working through FSA ID technical issues. Many schools will make notes in your file and can provide school-specific guidance. The fact that Raul got this resolved and shared the exact steps is going to help so many families. This is exactly why these community discussions are invaluable - the official channels often fail us, but we can help each other succeed!

Welcome to the community, Ryder! This thread really is a perfect example of how shared experiences can solve problems that official support channels can't. The FSA ID issue for international families is one of those "hidden" problems that affects thousands of students but rarely gets addressed in official guidance. Since you're planning ahead for next year, I'd suggest bookmarking not just this thread but also creating a document with the key steps that worked for Raul and others. The process might change slightly by then, but having a reference point will save you hours of frustration. One thing I'd add to the great advice already shared: consider joining expat parent groups on Facebook or other platforms specific to your country. I've found that families who've recently gone through the US college application process are often the most up-to-date on current workarounds and can provide real-time support when you hit roadblocks. The fact that you're researching this a full year in advance puts you way ahead of the game. Most families only discover these technical issues when they're up against deadlines, which adds unnecessary stress to an already complex process. Good luck with your preparation!

This thread has been absolutely invaluable! As a parent who's been living in Japan for the past 6 years, I'm already dreading next year's FAFSA process for my twin daughters. Reading through all these solutions and workarounds has given me so much hope that it's actually manageable. I'm particularly grateful for the detailed breakdown of what worked for Raul - using the daughter's US number, selecting "US citizen living abroad" instead of "international parent," and using a temporary US address. The technical tips about browsers, VPNs, and timing are also incredibly helpful. One question for the group: has anyone dealt with the FAFSA process for multiple children simultaneously as an international parent? I'm wondering if creating my FSA ID once will work for both daughters' applications, or if there are complications when you're a contributor for multiple students in the same year. Also, does anyone know if the mail verification option that was mentioned works for parents living in Asia? The international mail delays to/from Japan can be quite long, so I'm trying to plan the timeline accordingly. Thank you all for sharing your experiences so openly - this community support makes such a difference when navigating these bureaucratic challenges!

This entire discussion has been incredibly eye-opening! I'm a newcomer to both this community and the world of FAFSA as an international family. My husband and I are US citizens who moved to Australia three years ago, and our son will be applying to US colleges next year. I had no idea the FSA ID creation could be such a complex hurdle for international parents. Reading through everyone's experiences and solutions has been both terrifying and reassuring - terrifying because I now realize what we're facing, but reassuring because there are clearly workable solutions. The step-by-step approach that Raul shared is going to be my playbook, and I'm already planning to reach out to our son's target schools early to let them know we're an international contributing family. The tips about browser choice, VPN usage, and timing during US business hours are all going straight into my preparation notes. One thing that really strikes me from this thread is how much this community knows that simply isn't available through official channels. The fact that families have to discover these workarounds through trial and error (and generous community sharing!) rather than having clear official guidance is pretty frustrating. But I'm so grateful for communities like this where people share their hard-won knowledge! Thank you all for being so generous with your experiences and advice. It's making what seemed like an impossible process feel much more manageable.