FAFSA system won't let me add twins after submitting for older child - multiple dependents issue

I had this exact problem last year with my triplets! The new FAFSA system is supposed to make it easier for families with multiple students, but it's actually more confusing. You don't need to create separate accounts - you need to log into your existing account, go to "My Applications" and then select "Start New FAFSA Form" for the 2025-2026 award year. When you get to the student information section, you'll enter your twins' information separately (one at a time). It takes forever, but that's how the system is designed now.

this happens to everybody lol. fafsa really needs to make the multiple student thing more clear. i almost gave up when applying for me n my sister last month

Actually, the problem might be that you're trying to create new accounts for your twins, when what you need to do is add them as additional students under your existing parent FSA ID. The entire family stays under one account now - it's different from the old system. You just need to create separate FSA IDs for each of your twins, but your parent FSA ID remains the same for all three children. Then you initiate a new FAFSA for each child using your parent account.

I went through this nightmare last month with my kids. After 5 hours on hold with Federal Student Aid, I finally got an agent who walked me through the exact steps. The new system requires each student to have their own FSA ID, but you use the same parent FSA ID for all applications. Here's the exact process: 1. Have each twin create their own FSA ID at studentaid.gov/fsa-id/ 2. Log in with YOUR parent FSA ID 3. Click "Start 2025-2026 FAFSA" 4. Enter the student's FSA ID when prompted 5. Complete the form for that student 6. Submit 7. Repeat steps 2-6 for the second twin The stupid part is that you have to enter all your parent info twice even though it's the same. If you're still stuck getting through to someone at Federal Student Aid, try Claimyr. It got me connected to an agent in 20 minutes instead of hours on hold. Their website is claimyr.com and they have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/TbC8dZQWYNQ

am i the only one who thinks the whole "simplified" fafsa is actually MORE confusing?? like why cant they just let parents make one application for all their kids? my mom had to do my bros and mine separately and answer the EXACT SAME parent questions twice. makes zero sense.

I HATE THIS NEW SYSTEM SO MUCH!!!! Last year I could do all 3 of my kids applications in 30 minutes. This year it took me 7 HOURS to do the exact same thing!!!! And guess what? After all that the SAI calculation came back COMPLETELY WRONG because the system didn't properly account for multiple dependents in college at once. Had to file appeals for all 3 kids. Complete disaster. Good luck, you'll need it.

Update for anyone finding this thread: The Department of Education just announced they're going to simplify the process for parents with multiple students in the 2025-2026 cycle. They're adding a "copy parent information" button that will be available starting in November 2024. Should save parents from entering the same information multiple times.