Lost my old FAFSA FSA ID - will this cause problems for my son's application?

You don't need to worry about your old FSA ID at all! You'll create a brand new FSA ID as a parent contributor on your son's FAFSA. The system won't be looking for your old account from 2003 - that data is long gone from the active system. You'll need to create a new FSA ID (username and password) for yourself, and your son will need to create his own separate FSA ID. Each of you MUST have your own unique FSA ID - this is how you'll both electronically sign his FAFSA application. Just make sure to use your current email address and mobile phone when creating your new FSA ID, and keep track of both your username and password this time around!

Just to add some clarification to the previous response - you and your son should each create your FSA IDs BEFORE starting the FAFSA application. Go to studentaid.gov and click on "Create Account" to set up your FSA ID. Your son needs his own email address and mobile phone number, and you'll need yours. The system requires verification of both email and phone for security purposes, and it can take 1-3 days for all the verification to process completely. Better to have those FSA IDs ready to go before you start the actual application. Also, your new parent FSA ID will be used for ALL your children who apply for federal aid, so save those credentials somewhere secure for future use if you have younger children who'll be going to college later.

lol I lost mine from last year don't feel bad. I had to create a new one when my daughter applied and they said it was totally fine. They just make you answer some identity questions. Not a big deal at all!!

The FSA ID system they use now didn't even EXIST when you went to college in 2003!!! They used to use something called a PIN number system until around 2015 when they switched to the current FSA ID system. So there's literally no way you could recover your old credentials even if you wanted to because the entire system is different now. You're starting 100% fresh. Nothing to worry about at all. Just make sure you and your son each create your OWN FSA ID with separate email addresses. They're super strict about that part.

When my kid did their FAFSA I couldn't even get the stupid website to work for THREE DAYS! It kept crashing during identity verification. Finally got through at like 2am when nobody else was on the site. The whole system is a NIGHTMARE. Start early because I guarantee you'll run into problems!!!

make sure ur son creates his FSA ID first and then u create urs as the parent. we did it backwards and the system got confused and linked my daughters ssn to my account somehow?? took weeks to fix. also use different email addresses!!

Thanks everyone for the helpful responses! I'm relieved to know I'll be creating a completely new FSA ID as a parent contributor and don't need to worry about my ancient account from college. We'll make sure to: 1. Create our FSA IDs at least a week before starting the application 2. Use separate email addresses and phone numbers for each of us 3. Have my son create his first, then I'll create mine 4. Save all the login information securely for future use with my daughter I appreciate all the advice! This community has been incredibly helpful.

just wondering does anyone know if parents still have to report their assets on the new FAFSA? I heard they simplified it but im not sure what that means exactly