FAFSA Renewal: Error says parent info doesn't match student info?

Paying for College
1

My D is a current sophomore, and I’m trying to do the FAFSA renewal. I logged in under parent; redid my password as instructed; then when I went to log in again (under parent), I got the error message: "The FSA ID you provided does not match the student information provided on the FAFSA. Click Forgot User Name if you have forgotten your FSA ID.

You cannot renew your FAFSA."

Hmph. My user id is correct (I checked) and I can log in and mess with my info, but I can’t do the renewal? Any thoughts?

Thanks!

2

The student needs to log in to the FAFSA with their FSA ID.

The FAFSA is the student’s form to apply for aid in their name. There is no parent login.

If you as the parent want to enter financial information on the FAFSA, you can sign in on the right side of login page by entering student info such as birthdate and soc sec #.

Then you should be able to choose renewal and the year 2017/18.

After you import the 2015 tax return and enter current parent asset information, you can save the FAFSA and make a save key.

The student can then sign in and use that save key to start from where you were. They can update their year in school, and enter their income and assets. And sign the FAFSA and submit it when it is complete.

The only time a parent FSA ID should be needed on the FAFSA is when you use the IRS DRT to import parent tax return and when you sign FAFSA before submitting.

3

Ideally, the student and parent should complete FAFSA together. I worked on my D’s FAFSA with her when she was home on break. This year was the first year the FAFSA was available starting in October.

4

The student should use their log in data to start. That’s how you start.

You say you “redid your password”. Aren’t you supposed to continue to use the FSA younalready have?

5

Thanks, everyone. @mommdc I did put in her info and hit renewal. It then asks for FSA ID and password. I made one last year when putting in our taxes. Am I not supposed to have an FSA ID?

@thumper1 When I put in my FSA ID, it told me my pw had expired. I clicked on the link and put in old then new pw. It took me to my account with my email and FSA ID. It’s what I’ve used in the past to put in tax info.

My D is still on winter break so when she gets up from her nap (!) I’ll get her to log in, etc. I appreciate all the info.

6

It does appear that parents can have an FSA ID:

The FSA ID allows students and parents to identify themselves electronically to access FSA Web sites.

7

Yes, you are supposed to have a FSA ID.

But I think you need to have the STUDENT log in. You use YOUR FSA to sign at the end. Student does the same.

8

Did the other parent complete the FAFSA last year? If so, maybe it is not a ‘renewal’ but a new FAFSA if the other parent is using an ID this year.

Sometimes I’ve had to start fresh, just clear everything out of the FAFSA and re-enter to make sure each and every entry is correct.

9

At this point, it wants the student’s FSA ID and password.

10

@thumper1 and @BelknapPoint Thanks very much. I’ll get her to make time out of her busy schedule sometime today. ;:wink:

@twoinanddone She’s definitely a renewal, since she’s a sophomore, whew.

Thanks again, all!

11

Yes, sorry, the student has to sign in first with their FSA ID, and start the renewal FAFSA.

Then if needed they can create a save key that the parent can use to enter financial info.

Parent FSA ID is only needed for signing FAFSA, along with student, and for importing the tax return.

And of course if the parent applies for financial aid for themselves, or Parent Plus loans.

12

Thanks, @mommdc It’s not intuitive, that’s for certain. 8-|