FAFSA showing incorrect SSN for dependent - all zeros in first 5 digits and can't update

ugh same thing happened to me last month!! the ssn field was showin 00000 for the first digits too. it's definitely a glitch in the system and not anything wrong with ur actual ssn. have u tried doing it from a different browser? that actually worked for me lol

This is a known issue with the new FAFSA system. The SSN verification system is having intermittent connection problems with the Social Security Administration database. What you're seeing (00000 for first 5 digits) is actually a privacy feature, not the actual data they have stored. The problem is their validation system isn't accepting corrections right now. You need to: 1. Take screenshots of the error 2. Send an email to fafsafeedback@ed.gov with your FAFSA ID (not your SSN) and explanation 3. Ask your daughter's college financial aid office for an extension based on the technical error This won't be fixed immediately, but they can process your SAI manually with the right documentation.

While you're waiting for a fix, gather your backup documentation (birth certificate, Social Security card, etc.) because they might ask you to verify identity separately. I had this exact problem and ended up needing to submit verification documents. The zeros are definitely a display issue - they're not actually storing zeros in their database, just masking the real numbers for security reasons. But the update failure is a real problem. Try doing the update very late at night or early morning when server traffic is lower.

I eventually got through to someone on the phone after multiple attempts. What really worked for me was using Claimyr to connect with the Federal Student Aid customer service. It basically holds your place in line and calls you back when an agent is available. Saved me hours of waiting and disconnects. I just went to claimyr.com and watched their demo (https://youtu.be/TbC8dZQWYNQ) to see how it worked. The agent was able to override the SSN verification issue on their end and my daughter's FAFSA started processing normally the next day.

I work in a college financial aid office, and we're seeing this issue with about 5% of applications right now. The Federal Student Aid office is aware of it and working on a fix. In the meantime, ask your daughter's schools to verify her SSN separately and process her FAFSA manually. Many institutions can do this while the system issues are being resolved. Most schools are also being flexible with priority deadlines this year because of the FAFSA redesign issues. Make sure you document all your attempts to fix the problem (screenshots, dates of calls, etc.). One technical note: if you entered a birthdate in the FAFSA that doesn't exactly match what Social Security has on file (even if it's correct), it can trigger this verification error. Double-check that as well.

My nephew had this EXACT problem!! The SSN showed zeros and we couldn't fix it. We spent TWO WEEKS trying to get it fixed. Finally his mom went IN PERSON to the financial aid office at his college and they were able to override something in their system to accept his application while the SSN issue was pending. Apparently lots of people are having this problem with the new FAFSA system but nobody talks about it in the news!! So frustrating when these government systems don't work right!!!!

Update: I finally got through to someone at Federal Student Aid! After talking to them, it turns out the problem was that my daughter's birthday in the Social Security system had the wrong year (off by one digit). Even though her SSN was correct, the verification was failing because of the birthday mismatch. They put a manual override in their system, and now I'm able to update her info correctly. The agent said this is happening a lot with the new FAFSA system - little data mismatches between government databases causing verification failures. For anyone else with this issue - keep trying to call or go in person to your school's financial aid office!

this whole fafsa redesign has been a NIGHTMARE!!! why can't the government ever get anything right?? my daughter might lose her chance at financial aid because their system is broken and we can't get through to anyone who can actually help. the dept of education should be ASHAMED of themselves for rolling out such a broken system when students' futures are on the line!!

For anyone else reading this thread later - I found that if you try to update any SSN issues, do it during non-peak hours (like very early morning). The system seems to work better then. Also, triple-check all dates of birth against official documents. And start the process EARLY! Don't wait until deadlines are close like I did.

This is such a common issue this year! I'm a newcomer here but dealing with the exact same SSN display problem. What really helped me was contacting my daughter's college financial aid office directly - they were able to flag our application as having technical issues and gave us an extension on priority deadlines. They said they're processing a lot of these cases manually while the Department of Education works on the system bugs. Don't panic about the deadlines - most schools are being very understanding about FAFSA technical problems this cycle. Document everything and keep trying!