FAFSA parent login for second child - need to create new FSA ID?
We're starting the FAFSA process for our high school senior (our second child to go to college). It's been 3 years since we went through this with our oldest, and I honestly can't remember if I'm supposed to use the same FSA ID/login that I created as a parent back then. I've completely forgotten what email/username I used, and have zero recollection of the password. Do I need to track down my old account info, or can I just create a new parent FSA ID for this child's application? Will it cause problems if I make a new one? Anyone dealt with this before?
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Elijah Brown
You definitely need to use the same FSA ID. The system links your parent information across all your children's applications. If you create a new FSA ID, it could cause verification issues because the system might flag it as potential fraud (same SSN with different FSA IDs). Try the "Forgot Username" and "Forgot Password" options on the studentaid.gov login page - you'll need your SSN, DOB, and either access to your old email or the ability to answer security questions.
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Zoe Walker
•Oh no, that's what I was afraid of. I've changed email addresses twice since then and don't remember which one I used originally. Will they mail anything to my home address if I truly can't recover it?
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Maria Gonzalez
same thing happened 2 me!! had to call fsa and sit on hold FOREVER but they helped me recover my account. took like 3 days total with all the back and forth.
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Zoe Walker
•Ugh, 3 days? The FAFSA deadline is coming up fast for us. Did you eventually get it sorted without having to create a new account?
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Natalie Chen
I WENT THROUGH THIS EXACT NIGHTMARE LAST YEAR! The FSA system is HORRIBLE about account recovery. I tried calling for TWO WEEKS straight and couldn't get through. Ended up creating a new FSA ID out of desperation and guess what? My daughter's application got flagged for verification and we had to submit extra documentation. AVOID MY MISTAKE AT ALL COSTS!!!!
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Maria Gonzalez
•verification is THE WORST. took us like 2 extra months to get aid approved because of it
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Santiago Martinez
Speaking from experience with three kids now in college, you absolutely must use the same FSA ID. The system links your tax information and parent demographics across applications. If you create a new FSA ID with the same SSN, it will trigger verification flags in the system. Here's what I suggest: 1. Try the FSA ID recovery tools first at studentaid.gov 2. If that fails, call the Federal Student Aid Information Center at 1-800-433-3243 3. Have your SSN, date of birth, and any possible email addresses ready 4. They can help reset your account even if you don't remember which email you used Start this process ASAP - getting through to them can sometimes take days.
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Zoe Walker
•Thank you! This is really helpful. I'll try the recovery process today and start calling if that doesn't work. Just to clarify - this is definitely about my parent FSA ID, not my child's, right? My oldest is on their own account.
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Santiago Martinez
•Correct, this is about YOUR FSA ID as the parent. Each student creates their own FSA ID, but you as the parent should maintain just one FSA ID that you'll use for all your children's FAFSAs. The system links everything through your SSN, which is why creating multiple parent FSA IDs causes problems.
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Samantha Johnson
my brother had the same issue and ended up using Claimyr to get through to an FSA agent! saved him hours of waiting on hold. we saw a video demo (https://youtu.be/TbC8dZQWYNQ) and the site is claimyr.com - they call FSA and wait on hold for you then call you when an agent picks up. my brother got his account recovered in one day instead of trying to call for a week straight.
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Natalie Chen
•OMG WHERE WAS THIS WHEN I NEEDED IT?! Does it actually work? I spent HOURS on hold and got disconnected THREE TIMES!
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Samantha Johnson
•Worked perfectly for my brother! Agent helped reset everything over the phone once they finally connected.
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Nick Kravitz
wait i'm confused... does this mean I shouldn't have made new login for my younger kid this year? nobody told me this! we already submitted with new account....
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Santiago Martinez
•It depends - did YOU (the parent) create a new FSA ID for yourself, or did you just help your younger child create their own FSA ID? Each student needs their own FSA ID, but parents should only have one FSA ID that they use for all their children's FAFSAs.
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Nick Kravitz
•oh i think i did it right then! i used same login for me but my kid made their own. phew!
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Hannah White
I just went through this exact situation with my second child's FAFSA. Here's what happened: 1. First I tried using the "Forgot Username" tool with every email I've had in the past 5 years 2. When that failed, I tried to make a new parent FSA ID 3. The system warned me that my SSN was already associated with an account 4. I called FSA and after navigating some automated menus, they sent a reset link to an old AOL email I'd completely forgotten about The key thing to know: they can help you recover your parent FSA ID even if you don't remember anything about it except your own personal information (SSN, name, DOB). Just be prepared for a potentially long wait time when calling.
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Zoe Walker
•This is super helpful, thank you! Now I'm wondering if I might have used an old work email that I no longer have access to. Did you need access to the email they found in order to reset everything?
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Hannah White
•Yes, initially I did need access to the email they found. But when I explained I no longer had access to that old AOL account, the agent was able to verify my identity through other means (asked detailed questions about my tax filing status, old addresses, etc.) and then they helped change it to my current email. So don't give up if you can't access the old email!
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Michael Green
just went thru this last week! if u call early in morning like 8am EST u get thru faster. but ya def use same parent FSA ID or ur gonna have headaches later
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Zoe Walker
Update: I managed to get into my account! Turns out I had set up my FSA ID with an old work email. After trying the Forgot Username feature with about 5 different emails, it worked with the old one. I was able to change my email to my current one and reset my password. Now we're all set to start my second child's FAFSA. Thanks everyone for your help!
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Santiago Martinez
•That's great news! Glad you got it sorted before having to deal with the phone system. Smart move to update your email right away - make sure to save your login info somewhere secure for when your next child is ready for college.
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Natalie Chen
•You are SO LUCKY you remembered that old email! Now make sure you WRITE DOWN all your info somewhere safe for next time!!
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Dylan Fisher
Congrats on getting it sorted! This thread is super helpful for other parents going through the same thing. For anyone else reading this - definitely try all your old email addresses first before calling. And once you do get back in, I'd recommend writing down your FSA ID info AND storing it in a password manager if you use one. Three years between kids is long enough to forget everything! Also consider setting up the FSA ID mobile app if they still have that - might make it easier to access next time.
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