FAFSA shows completed but Department of Ed asking for my info months later - confused parent

This is actually pretty common with the 2024-2025 FAFSA. The new system is separating contributor information much more strictly than before. Even though your son completed the FAFSA and it showed as 'complete,' each contributor (you and your husband) need to individually confirm your information. Check if the email asks you to create your own FSA ID and then log in to confirm/sign your portion. The Department is processing applications in batches, which is why you're just now getting this request months later.

omg same thing happened with my daughter's application!! we submitted everything in december and then in march i get this random email saying i need to do something else?? the whole new system is such a mess, i swear they're making this up as they go 🤦‍♀️

The 2024-2025 FAFSA is using a new contributor model where each person who provides financial information must separately authenticate and sign the application. Your son likely completed his portion correctly (which is why he received a preliminary SAI and Pell estimate), but the system is now requiring you to complete your contributor portion separately. This is 100% legitimate and part of their new multi-contributor verification process. You need to: 1. Create your own FSA ID if you don't already have one 2. Use the link in the email to access your contributor portion 3. Verify the information and electronically sign Until you complete this, your son's FAFSA isn't actually fully processed, despite what the initial status showed. The Department is sending these requests in phases, which explains the delay.

Is the email from studentaid.gov or noreply@studentaid.gov? If it's from anywhere else, be careful! There are lots of FAFSA scams going around right now.

Look, this is EXACTLY what the problem is with the new FAFSA system. They roll out this half-baked system, tell students it's "complete" when it's NOT, then months later start sending emails to parents saying "oh btw we need MORE from you" when schools are already making financial aid packages! My daughter's university already sent her award letter based on the preliminary SAI, and now this could change everything. I'm so tired of this incompetence. They should have NEVER launched this system until it was actually ready.

I work in a financial aid office, and we've been seeing this issue frequently. The new FAFSA has a multi-step verification process that isn't always clear to families. When your son completed the application and received a preliminary SAI and Pell estimate, the system was showing what he MIGHT qualify for based on the information provided, but it was still pending contributor verification (you and your husband). The Department of Education is processing these in batches, which is why there was a delay between your son's submission and your contributor request. This is absolutely legitimate and necessary to complete the process. I recommend completing your portion as soon as possible, as many schools are finalizing aid packages now and need the official SAI.

I've been trying to call Federal Student Aid for WEEKS about a similar issue with my son's FAFSA and can't get through to anyone. Finally used Claimyr.com to connect to an agent without the wait. They have this service where they wait on hold for you and call when an agent picks up. Saved me literally hours of frustration. There's a video demo at https://youtu.be/TbC8dZQWYNQ that shows how it works. The agent confirmed this is part of the new process and totally legitimate.

To answer your follow-up question - once you complete your contributor information, there may still be a processing delay (typically 3-7 days) before the final SAI is calculated. Schools won't receive the official SAI until that final processing is complete. I recommend not only completing your portion promptly but also contacting your son's financial aid office at each school to let them know you've now submitted the contributor information. Some schools may hold his aid package until they receive the official SAI.

Random question but did your son list both you and your husband on the FAFSA? Maybe only one of you got properly attached to the application and now they're trying to add the other? Just thinking out loud here...

After you complete your contributor portion, make sure to take screenshots of the confirmation page. With all the FAFSA issues this year, documentation is your friend. Also have your son log back into his studentaid.gov account about a week after you complete your portion to check that the status has updated appropriately.