|
FAFSA has opened, but there have been delays and issues. Nothing will be processed until the end of January, but there are particular challenges for parents without a social security number.
For now, families need to keep a few things in mind.
- Parents with existing FSA IDs will need to update their profiles to include an email address.
- Parents who live together but do not file jointly will need to each have an FSA ID and fill out the FAFSA.
- For parents who are married and file jointly, only one parent will be required to complete the FAFSA.
- Do not try to complete the FASFA on the same day as the creation of the FSA ID. This can create errors and require unnecessary additional questions.
There is a new online process for parents without a social security number to create an FSA ID. This process is safe and secure but may or may not work.
In the past, people who did not have an SSN submitted information by mail and did not set up an FSA ID. This year, FSA will use information from TransUnion® to verify applicants’ identities by asking a series of questions that only that individual would know the answer to. This process will take place entirely online through the FSA portal. Here are the steps required, as described in the Federal Register:
-
Step 1: An individual should visit StudentAid.gov, select “Create Account,” and complete all steps, including answering one-to-four knowledge-based verification questions via TransUnion®.
-
Step 2: Upon completing the Create Account process, the individual will see a confirmation page with the results of their identity verification. If any of the information the individual provides does not match with the information that TransUnion has, the individual will be notified that FSA was unable to verify their information. Then, they must contact the Federal Student Aid Information Center (FSAIC) at 1-800-433-3243. The individual will also receive an email from FSA informing them to call FSAIC for next steps and to verify their identity.
-
Step 3: Once the individual contacts FSAIC, FSA will create a case number and send them a verification email, which will include guidance on how to submit copies of unexpired acceptable documentation to verify their identity. Individuals will also be required to submit an attestation and validation of identity form along with their approved identity documentation. This form will be available on here under the tab "StudentAid.gov account."
-
Step 4: Upon receipt of the email that FSA was unable to verify their identity, an individual is then required to submit one or a combination of their acceptable documentation from the list below (see step five) and the signed attestation form to: IDVerification@ed.gov.
-
Step 5: FSA will review an individual’s submitted documentation and signed attestation form to ensure it is acceptable and matches the account information provided during the Create Account process. If there is a successful match, the Department will finalize the account creation. The individual will receive an email indicating their identity has been verified and that they may now use their account username and password (FSA ID) to log in at StudentAid.gov and complete applications for student financial assistance programs.
If this process does not work, students/parents will need to call and ask for a Tier 2 FSA specialist. Expect this to take a long time! Students cannot create the FSA ID without their parent!
IMPORTANT: Parents without a social security number CANNOT complete the FAFSA. This is a system issue for which there is no solution yet.
| 
