FAFSA parent section bypassing input fields - can't enter parent info for 2025-2026

Yep this happened to me too!! The new system is garbage. When you get to the summary page, look for a small link that says

Thanks for responding! I've been looking for that link but don't see anything like 'Review Information.' There's just the signature fields and the submit button. Nothing clickable that takes me back to enter data. Did you have to use the desktop site? I've been trying on my iPad.

This is a known issue with the 2025-2026 FAFSA portal. The problem is that the system sometimes incorrectly flags parent contributors as having already completed their section when they haven't. Two solutions you can try:\n\n1. Have your student log into their account, go to the contributor section, and delete your invitation, then send a new one to your email.\n\n2. If that doesn't work, call the Federal Student Aid Information Center at 1-800-433-3243 and ask them to reset the parent contributor section. They'll need both your FSA ID and your student's.\n\nThe new system doesn't transfer data from previous years anymore because of the FAFSA Simplification Act changes - they completely rebuilt the system and eliminated data transfer functionality.

Thank you - this makes sense now! I'll have my son delete and resend the invitation first. If that doesn't work, I'll try calling. Really appreciate the clear explanation about the data transfer too. So much for \

did u actually get the contributor invite or just a notification? its confusing but theyre different things. the actual invite has a special link u need to click

I thought I got the invite - it was an email saying my student had added me as a contributor and I should log in to complete my section. But maybe you're right and I missed a specific link in the email? I'll go back and check the email again carefully.

I work in a financial aid office and we've seen this issue frequently with the 2025-2026 FAFSA. Unfortunately, the Federal Student Aid Information Center phone line (1-800-433-3243) has extremely long wait times right now - often 2-3 hours before you can speak with someone who can reset your contributor section.\n\nA few additional troubleshooting steps you can try first:\n\n1. Clear your browser cache and cookies before logging in again\n2. Try using Chrome in incognito mode\n3. Check if your student accidentally marked your section as \

Ha! 2-3 hours wait time is being generous. I called last week and waited 4.5 HOURS only to get disconnected. This new system is a total disaster. I feel bad for the financial aid offices dealing with all these issues.

You're absolutely right - the wait times are truly awful right now. Our office has been overwhelmed with students facing similar issues. We've been recommending students try calling at non-peak hours (very early morning or late evening) but even then the wait can be substantial.

Have you tried logging in through studentaid.gov directly instead of through the email link? Sometimes the direct portal gives you more options than following the email links.

I did try that too - logged directly into studentaid.gov with my FSA ID. Same issue though - it recognizes me as a contributor for my son's application but takes me straight to the signature page without any fields to input my information.

I had this exact problem last week and spent DAYS trying to fix it. Nothing worked - not clearing cache, not using different browsers, not having my daughter resend the invitation. I finally called the FSA help line but kept getting disconnected after waiting for hours.\n\nI discovered Claimyr.com which helped me get through to an actual FSA agent in about 15 minutes instead of waiting for hours. The agent was able to reset my contributor section on their end, and when I logged back in, I could finally see all the financial information fields! They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/TbC8dZQWYNQ\n\nJust sharing because I know how stressful this is with deadlines approaching.

Thank you so much for this suggestion! I'll try the student-initiated reset first, but if that doesn't work, I'll definitely check out that service. The thought of waiting on hold for hours with no guarantee of getting through is really stressful. Did the agent explain why this happens in the first place?

The agent told me it's a known glitch in the new system. Apparently if the parent created their FSA ID a long time ago (like for older children) and then doesn't update certain security information, the system sometimes thinks you've already completed the section. The agent had to completely reset my contributor status, and then it worked perfectly. Good luck!

The new FAFSA system is completely BROKEN! Our family had to submit THREE SEPARATE APPLICATIONS because the system kept losing our information. And guess what? All three resulted in completely different SAI calculations! How are families supposed to plan for college costs when the system can't even process basic information correctly? This is affecting millions of students' financial futures and nobody at the Department of Education seems to care.

wait fr? how different were the SAI numbers??

The first application gave us an SAI of $14,250, the second was $8,700, and the third was $11,320. SAME EXACT INFORMATION entered each time! How does that make any sense???

UPDATE: Success! Had my son delete me as a contributor and send a new invitation. When I clicked the link in the new email (making sure to use the actual invitation link this time), I was finally able to see all the parent information sections! Currently working through them now. Thanks everyone for the help and suggestions!

Great news! Just a quick tip as you're completing the sections - make sure to periodically click the \

Thanks for the tip! I've been saving after each section just to be safe. I notice the asset section looks different than last year - they're asking for way less detail about investments and seem to be focusing more on cash balances. Is that part of the simplification?

Yes, that's a key change in the FAFSA Simplification Act. They reduced the number of financial questions by about 60% and eliminated many of the detailed asset questions. They now focus primarily on AGI from tax returns and basic cash/savings balances rather than the detailed investment breakdown from previous years. This should make your completion process faster once you get past the technical issues!

As a newcomer to this community, I'm so grateful to have found this discussion! I'm dealing with the exact same FAFSA parent contributor issue right now - my daughter sent me the invitation yesterday and I'm getting taken straight to the signature page too. Reading through all these responses has been incredibly helpful. I'm going to try having her delete and resend the invitation first, and if that doesn't work, I might look into that Claimyr service that @Jade Lopez mentioned. It's reassuring to know this is a known system glitch and not something I'm doing wrong. Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences and solutions!