How to link parent and student FAFSA accounts - can't find invite option

The process changed with the new FAFSA. Your son needs to log into studentaid.gov, go to the FAFSA form, and add you as a contributor. He'll need your name, email address, and birthdate. Then you'll receive an email with instructions to complete your portion. There's no separate "invitation" feature anymore - it all happens within the application flow now. Make sure he's using the actual FAFSA application page, not just his general account dashboard.

had same problm last month. my daughter couldnt figure it out either. turns out u have to start the fafsa first then theres a section for adding contributors. dont look for it in account settings its not there

Just to add some additional details: when your son starts the FAFSA application, he'll reach a specific section called "Contributors" where he can add you. He'll need to enter your full legal name (exactly as it appears on your FSA ID), your email address, and your birthdate. Once he adds you, you'll receive an email with a link to access your portion of the application. This new system is actually more streamlined than the old one, though it's causing some confusion during the transition. Remember that you'll need to use your own FSA ID to log in and complete your section once you receive the email invitation.

you definitely need to be added as a contributor IN the FAFSA form, not through some seperate invite!!! my son and I were confused too but thats how the redesigned system works now! just make sure when you get the email that you log in with YOUR fsa id not your sons or it will get all messed up trust me lol

I swear they make this more complicated every year! I've gone through this with 3 kids now and the process is different EVERY SINGLE TIME. Why can't they just keep one system that works? Had to call FSA 4 times this year because the website kept glitching when trying to link accounts.

Also make sure ur using Chrome or Edge!!! Safari causes weird glitches with the FAFSA site sometimes doesnt show all the buttons right!!!

One thing that helped me when adding contributors was making sure I had the exact spelling of my spouse's name as it appears on their FSA ID. The system is really picky about matching these details precisely. If there's any discrepancy between what you enter and what's on the FSA ID (even minor things like using "Bob" instead of "Robert"), the invitation might not work properly.

did u fix it yet? did it work?

Great to hear you got it working! For anyone else reading this thread, I want to emphasize that the new FAFSA system actually makes the contributor process more secure and streamlined once you know where to look. The key steps are: 1) Student starts the FAFSA application (not just account setup), 2) Student adds parent as contributor in the Contributors section with exact legal name/email/birthdate, 3) Parent receives email invitation within 24 hours, 4) Parent uses their OWN FSA ID to log in and complete their portion. The 14-day time limit mentioned earlier is important to remember too. Don't get discouraged if it seems confusing at first - the new system is actually an improvement over the old one once you get through the initial learning curve!

Just wanted to add that if you're still having trouble finding the Contributors section, make sure you're looking in the right place within the FAFSA form. After your son logs in and starts his 2025-26 FAFSA, he'll go through several pages of basic information first (like demographics, school selection, etc.). The Contributors section typically appears after these initial steps, usually around the financial information portion. Don't expect to see it right at the beginning of the application - you have to progress through a few screens first. Also, double-check that he's working on the 2025-26 FAFSA and not accidentally looking at an older year's form, as that could cause confusion too!

As someone who just went through this process with my daughter last month, I can confirm everything everyone has said here is accurate! The new contributor system really is much smoother once you know the steps. One additional tip I'd add: make sure to check your spam folder for the contributor invitation email. Mine ended up there initially and I was wondering why I hadn't received anything for a few days. Also, when you do get the email, don't wait too long to start your portion - not just because of the 14-day limit, but because tax season makes it easier to have all your financial documents handy. Good luck with the rest of the process!

As a newcomer to this whole FAFSA process, I just want to say thank you to everyone who contributed to this thread! My daughter is a junior in high school and we're just starting to research the financial aid process. Reading through all these comments has been incredibly educational - I had no idea the system had changed so much or that there were so many specific steps to follow. The step-by-step breakdown from @Liam McGuire and the practical tips about checking spam folders, using the right browser, and making sure names match exactly are all things I never would have thought of. I'm bookmarking this discussion for when we actually start the process next year. It's so helpful to see real families sharing their experiences and troubleshooting together!

As someone who works in financial aid at a university, I can confirm that the new FAFSA contributor system has definitely caused confusion for many families this year. The information shared in this thread is spot-on! I'd like to add one more tip that might help others: if you're having persistent technical issues with the contributor invitation not working, try clearing your browser cache and cookies before attempting the process again. Sometimes old session data can interfere with the new system. Also, make sure both the student and parent are using supported browsers (Chrome, Firefox, Edge, or Safari) and that they're both updated to the latest version. The Department of Education has been pushing out frequent updates to improve the system, so keeping browsers current really helps avoid glitches.

As someone just starting to navigate the FAFSA process for the first time, I want to echo what others have said - this thread has been incredibly valuable! I'm the parent of a high school senior and we literally just created our FSA IDs yesterday, so this whole contributor system is completely new to us. Reading through everyone's experiences has saved us so much potential frustration. The key takeaway I'm getting is: don't look for an "invite" button in account settings, but instead have my son actually start the FAFSA application itself to find the Contributors section. I really appreciate how this community shares practical, step-by-step guidance. It's reassuring to know that even though the process seems confusing at first, it actually works well once you understand the flow. Thanks to everyone who took the time to share their experiences and tips!