FAFSA® Form and FSA ID Tips for Parents

Your child is filling out the FAFSA form, and needs your information. What can you expect?

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid—or FAFSA form—is the student’s. But your information as the parent may be required.

FSA ID

Before you start, you will need an FSA ID. The FSA ID is a username and password. If you don’t already have an FSA ID, go to StudentAid.gov/fsaid to make one.

Make your own FSA ID and do not share it with your child or anyone else. Be sure to include an email address or mobile phone number you will have access to in the future in case you lock your account or forget your password.

Your child needs his or her own FSA ID. Do not create or use your child’s FSA ID. Doing so can cause problems with your child’s application.

FAFSA Form

Now you’re ready to work on the FAFSA form. Go to fafsa.gov and select the START HERE button.

Make sure your web browser allows pop-up windows from fafsa.ed.gov.

If you are starting the application, select the “I am a parent…” option. and provide the requested information.

Create a Save Key

Next, create a save key.

The save key is a temporary password that lets you:

1) save the application if you need to come back later

and

2) share the application with your child if you aren’t completing the form together.

Unlike the FSA ID, the save key is meant to be shared between you and your child. If you child starts the FAFSA form, you will pick up where you child left off: Log in with the student’s identifiers and use the save key your child created. Help is available for every FAFSA question.

You may be able to use your FSA ID to import your tax information directly into your child’s FAFSA form using the IRS Data Retrieval Tool.

SignSubmit

Once you and your child have entered all the required information, you will both need to sign. Follow the directions on the “SignSubmit” page. Be sure to sign in the parent’s signature section.

Once both of you have signed, be sure to submit the FAFSA form.

Your child’s FAFSA form is not submitted until you see the confirmation page.

Congratulations! Your child’s FAFSA form is submitted. The schools listed will use the FAFSA information and other information to determine what aid your child may be eligible to receive.

You can always check the status of an application by logging in at fafsa.gov. Students have to submit a FAFSA form every year, so keep track of your FSA ID. Need more info? Visit StudentAid.gov/fafsahelp