FAFSA verification taking 3 days - Do both parent and student need separate FSA IDs?

Yes, both you and your son must have separate FSA IDs. The FSA ID is essentially your username (usually your email) plus a password that you created during registration. Your actual FSA ID number is created during that process - the 3-day verification period is just confirming your identity with the Social Security Administration before you can use your FSA ID to sign documents electronically. The process works like this: 1. Both parent and student create their own FSA IDs (separate emails required) 2. Wait for both to be verified (up to 3 days) 3. Student starts the 2025-2026 FAFSA application using their FSA ID 4. When getting to the parent/contributor section, student can invite you 5. You'll use your FSA ID to log in and complete your section It's important that you don't try to use the same email for both accounts - the system will reject it.

we had same problem last november. you BOTH need different FSA id's. student does theirs first, then parent does separate one. the confusing part is the "id" is actually just your login info, not a special number they give you. the 3 days is them checking your SSN with social security admin. my daughters took 2 days mine took almost 4 for some reason.

I was so stressed about this too! Yes, both you and your child need separate FSA IDs. It's basically your username/password combo. The system checks your info against Social Security records, which is why there's that annoying 3-day wait. After that, your son starts the FAFSA and when he gets to the parent section, he'll enter your email and you'll get a notification to complete your part. Don't try to log in with his info or vice versa - the system will lock you out! Learned that the hard way 😩

Financial aid advisor here. To add some clarity: 1. Your FSA ID is created immediately when you set up your account. It's your username (email) and password combination - not a separate number assigned to you. 2. The 3-day period is for the Social Security Administration to verify your identity, but you already have your FSA ID. 3. Yes, both parent and student MUST have separate FSA IDs using different email addresses. 4. For the 2025-2026 FAFSA, the student initiates the application and will enter information about which parent(s) will contribute information. 5. The parent will then receive an email invitation to complete their portion using their own FSA ID. Make sure both you and your son have access to the email addresses you use, as all communications will go there. Also, select challenge questions you'll actually remember the answers to, as this is a common recovery method.

Oh man, I remember going through this EXACT situation last year with my daughter. It's super confusing! Yes, you both need separate FSA IDs and have to wait for verification. The worst part for me was when I tried using one computer for both our accounts and got locked out because the system thought someone was trying to hack in or something. MAKE SURE you use different devices or completely clear cookies between logins. Also write down your passwords somewhere safe because the reset process is a nightmare!

If you're still waiting on verification and need to speak with someone at Federal Student Aid, I had great luck using Claimyr. I was stuck in verification limbo for my daughter's FAFSA and couldn't get through on the phone for days. Claimyr got me connected to an agent in about 15 minutes instead of waiting on hold for hours. They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/TbC8dZQWYNQ. The website is claimyr.com if you're interested. Saved me so much frustration during an already stressful process!

To address your question about how long you have to complete your part - the FAFSA form will save for 45 days from the last activity. So once your son starts it, you have that window to complete your portion. However, I strongly recommend completing it as soon as possible since many schools have priority deadlines for financial aid that operate on a first-come, first-served basis.

Just realized I forgot to mention - make sure both you AND your son save the challenge questions and answers somewhere safe! My son forgot his and we had to go through this whole complicated process with calling in to reset it all. The system is super strict about security now.

after u get verified make sure u both check that the emails and phone #s are right in your profiles!!! they send all important stuff there and if its wrong u miss deadlines