2024-2025 FAFSA Demo & Walkthrough Parent Section

The FAFSA is a crucial financial aid application for college students across the United States. It determines your eligibility for grants, scholarships, work-study programs, and federal student loans. Completing the FAFSA accurately and on time is essential to receive the maximum amount of aid.
0:00 Introduction to 2024-25 FAFSA
1:10 Parent email invite to begin FAFSA
4:00 Log into Student FAFSA with Parent FSA ID
4:22 Parent accepts student FAFSA invitation
6:44 Parent onboarding information
8:00 Parent starts FAFSA form and confirms parent identity from FSA ID
9:05 Parent consent to share IRS data with FAFSA
9:44 Parent demographics and marital status
11:04 Parent finances, tax filing status. Family size and number of students in college
15:24 Parent child support and assets
15:50 Other Parent information
16:35 Parent Section Summary
17:04 Parent signature and complete section (sign and submit button if all sections completed)
18:31 Confirmation page (if all sections completed)
Get ready to embark on an exciting journey as we unveil the latest and greatest updates to the 2024-2025 FAFSA experience! In this FAFSA demonstration video, we will walk through all the brand-new features. Prepare to be amazed as we showcase the new roles page, where contributors are invited to join the FAFSA revolution for better organization and collaboration.
We'll explore the newly optimized question order, ensuring a smoother and more intuitive experience for users. But that's not all! Brace yourself for the parent wizard, designed to make the process of determining which parent completes the FAFSA smoother than ever before.
But wait, there's more! We'll also guide you through the process of providing consent to retrieve and disclose Federal Tax Information (FTI), ensuring that you're sensitive data is safeguarded. Throughout the video, we'll demonstrate step-by-step instructions, making it easy for you to implement these updates on your own FAFSA application.

[@Lono_808]

Great content! Very helpful.

[@collegeplanningprofessionals]

Glad it was helpful!

[@curtis3729]

Excellent presentation!! You answered all of my questions... Thank you!

[@collegeplanningprofessionals]

You are so welcome!

[@franciscomendez4334]

I have a question about the contribution. I can fill out the info my parents without the contribution. Can I complete it with out the contribution?@@collegeplanningprofessionals

[@gloriae.1461]

AWESOME!

[@collegeplanningprofessionals]

Glad you think so!

[@JoshAmigon]

Hey so I filled may form but it did not ask for my tax information. I'm an older adult and I have been in school for almost a yr now. Why did they not ask for my taxes

[@haydenrondy4868]

How come the form doesn't ask for my parents tax information? Is it because we did it last year and it doesn't need to be filled in again?

[@Kitt3n]

Hello! I have a question, I invited my dad to the from since my dad and mom filed jointly and I am aware that he has to create an FSA ID to login but he doesn't have a SSN. He checks the box option that says "no SSN" but then at the end once he finishes filling everything in it says error, and it doesn't let him continue. He has tried it multiple times. Is this an issue with the website?

[@collegeplanningprofessionals]

It is possible that there could be an issue but retry entering his information after you refresh your page or log out and log back in and access the studentaid.gov account again.

[@omarordonez2076]

I had the same issue and called. You parent might have to upload verification for their identity like mine did. Although my parent is having issues with their account and finding my document, could it be on my end that my parent can't find my document? any advice for this?

[@corrinarengross-pf8ji]

Hello. We did not get the parent invite via email. What should we do now?

[@kamveum]

Hello! I have a question, under Parent Assets current total of cash, checkings, savings. Does that mean all the money that the parent has to give to the student as aid to school or just how much they have entirely as of right now?

[@collegeplanningprofessionals]

Hello, It is the money you have in those accounts at the time you complete the FAFSA. If you are completing today - you can deduct your expenses for the month from the total and enter that amount for this question.

[@turtle12369]

For small business valuation, how do you do that? We don't have physical assets like buildings or equipment and revenue is not guaranteed. Do we show historical net profit? Or is there another way to do it? I also read that businesses under 100 employees don't need to be reported, is that still the case or did it change in 2024?

[@collegeplanningprofessionals]

Hi, if your net profit equals the net value of your business than that would be a good number to use. Net value of business is what the value would be if you sold it today minus any expenses. Yes the business exclusion is no longer valid you must report all net business values starting in 2024.

[@user-nt2kc3ej4s]

Great video, When my dad signs in after pressing the invite link nothing shows up on his activity dashboard. What else can he do to access his part of the form to complete the FAFSA thanks?

[@collegeplanningprofessionals]

Check to see if the your invite information matches your dad's studentaid.gov account - name, social security number, date of birth etc. If there is a discrepancy he will not be matched to contribute to your form. I would also try logging into your account and access your fafsa as the parent.

[@sherikocen8236]

would have been nice if you had also explained the married filing separate process.

[@collegeplanningprofessionals]

What would you like to know?

[@natalyavennuhernandez3407]

Hi, for a non citizen parent what would be the correct thing to put in regard to state residence and date they became a resident if they are not a citizen and I already put that she doesn’t have ssn?

[@collegeplanningprofessionals]

Unfortunately, FAFSA is having issues with non ssn contributors. You will have to wait for them to resolve this issue. I will post updates.

[@franciscomendez4334]

I have another Question. I sent the contribution to my parent, and they accepted it, but it would let them in, and we've tried to get it filled, but no matter how much I try it just leaves the info in blank. I have also noticed that I did the info in the weekends when the system is unavailable. is the system unavailable during the weekends?@@collegeplanningprofessionals

[@sarahdm5336]

My parents file jointly, however, my mother has her own business (but it is on their 2022 taxes) I only created an account for my dad, can he input her business net worth, or is that something she has to do since it's her business? Also, would her paypal balance be included in the parent's assets question?

[@collegeplanningprofessionals]

Yes your dad can input your mom's business net worth. If pay pal is part of business it should be part of net business. If it is personal it will be listed in assets checking and savings.

[@stephaniem7707]

If you select any of the earned income credit, free lunch, etc. do you just skip over tax info and assets? I didn’t see any of that information. Just checking..

[@collegeplanningprofessionals]

Yes the FAFSA has skip logic and will skip asset questions if you answer yes to any of the benefit programs like free and reduced lunch.

[@user-du3cb4cs9f]

For divorced parents, when the parent who provides the most financial support to the student completes the FAFSA, is the other parent also identified at the end of step 2? If I am the parent who DOES NOT provide the most finacial support, and I supposed to be identified and will I be requried to complete the FAFSA also?

[@collegeplanningprofessionals]

Only the parent who provides the most support will be asked to complete the FAFSA. You should not be asked to complete the FAFSA.

[@vanessanguyen2291]

sorry one more question but i already submitted the form but one of my parents told me their incorrect birthday and i was wondering if i would be able to change that and if that would effect my financial aid?

[@collegeplanningprofessionals]

Is the parent with the incorrect birthdate the same parent who created the fsa id/studentaid.gov account and contributed to your form? If so, the parent with the incorrect info will need to contact fafsa helpline and correct the information. 800 433 3243

[@user-nt2kc3ej4s]

Great Video, my only question is when my dad signs in after clicking my invite link nothing shows up on his activity board to accept and help with my FAFSA. Is there another way he can access his part of the form? thanks

[@collegeplanningprofessionals]

Have your dad log into his studentaid.gov account. There should be an invitation or pending invitation. Click on the box and it should take him to your FAFSA.

[@lesliegarcia7444]

I also have this same problem. My mom clicks on it and she doesn't have an invite from em@@collegeplanningprofessionals

[@ash-fb3tc]

same!!

[@marlinalonso]

Hello! Just like some of there commenters, I am having trouble setting up an account for my parents who do not have a SS number. We get past security questions and it always hits us with an error no matter how many different ways we try to create the account. Is there anything I can do to move on past that point successfully?

[@collegeplanningprofessionals]

You can contact fafsa helpline 800 433 3243. Also try refreshing screen and clearing cache.

[@christian1499]

The student section has been completed and submitted however when i go to parent section it wont let me in. I click access existing form, click on the form, and then it just send me right back to the home page. Been like this for two weeks. Idk if this is the reason as to why its happening but my form in my activity is under a section called "drafts" rather then being in the "open" section. How do I solve this problem? Ive tried calling several times and they just say be patient but I have to have this in by the end of January to be eligible for the eof program at my school of choice.

[@mr.dickbutttheog2064]

I was able to find a way to access the parent section, I believe you’d need to press on the “expand all” button and click on the blue arrows pointing to the parent sections 🤷‍♀️ hope this helps

[@collegeplanningprofessionals]

The parent should access the student FAFSA from their account. Start with the invite in parent's email and then log into the parent fafsa account. On the dashboard they should click on the fafsa 2024-25 link. FYI - no information from FAFSA will be sent to colleges until March.

[@emmanuelguzman5944]

Hello! I have a question regarding my parent's "State of Legal Residence". My parent has their SSN however they are not yet a "legal resident". We tried putting only zeros but it doesn't work. Any suggestions on how to fill out this area? From what I understand FASFA is not affiliated with immigration but my parent is in the process of obtaining their residency and I wouldn't like to cause any issues. Thank you !

[@collegeplanningprofessionals]

The state of legal residency is the state where you live and the date when your parents started living there.

[@turkishguide2008]

Our student is living abroad. But there is question ‘ WHAT IS STUDENTS THE STATE OF LEGAL RESIDENCE ? ‘ there is no option for ‘ NONE ABOVE’ !

[@collegeplanningprofessionals]

Prior to living abroad - where did the student live and attend school?

[@johanthemonkey1277]

Hello this might be a stretch but I have invited my mother and made her account everything is correct on both ends but for some reason on her account the invite does not appear. Anyway to fix this, could it be that it might take three days for it to recognize her account or? Because I can use her account and do things on the website but it doesnt seem to show my fafsa application she needs to contribute to

[@collegeplanningprofessionals]

Are you checking her email for the invite? That is where the invite will show up. It is possible that her FSA ID has not processed. Keep in mind the FAFSA is also not fully functional.

[@johanthemonkey1277]

@@collegeplanningprofessionals Hi thank you for responding and yes, I made her account I I got the invite on her email, but nothing shows perhaps it is the 3-day processing. But I just checked atm and the site is down so I will respond here again and give and update.

[@harryromero5569]

Hello, i have a very important questions I need a contributors signature and my dad created a FASFA account does he need to fill it out also?

[@collegeplanningprofessionals]

At least one parent needs to contribute. If your dad filed married joint - he will be the only one to contribute. If he filed married separate then his spouse will need to contribute.

[@JeampierreLaguna]

my parents aren’t state residences, what do i out for the page asking for “Parent State if Legal Residence ?

[@collegeplanningprofessionals]

When your parent creates their FSAID/studentaid.gov account they will enter their address and country. FAFSA will ask resident question if necessary.

[@fig2769]

Not easy it’s hard and the old one was simple.

[@collegeplanningprofessionals]

Without the glitches the new form is easier. There will need to be some changes. Looking forward to next year's roll out.

[@kellneace8356]

on the section where you list your state and when you became a legal resident, i was born in the state i live in. so would i put the date i became a legal resident as my birthday?

[@collegeplanningprofessionals]

Yes that is correct!

[@alinacrehul1984]

My son invited both parents. We received the invitation, and I completed my application. At the end of my application I did not have the screen to add my husband information. We completed the tax together as marked. I wondered if my son should have send the invitation just to me? And now, is necessary that husband complete it too?

[@collegeplanningprofessionals]

If you and your husband filed married joint - only one parent needs to contribute to your child's FAFSA because both you and your husbands financial info is on the joint tax return.

[@bexcel34]

Hello. I'm having a serious problem on locating the section to report VA disability benefits which is non taxable income. Could you please help me locate the section. Thanks

[@collegeplanningprofessionals]

Starting with the 2024-25 FAFSA you no longer have to report financial info other than assets, checking savings, net business/farm income etc. Your 2022 tax return will be transferred to Federal Student Aid in its entirety with your consent. So there is no need to input this info. If your disability benefits are reported on your tax return that information will be received.

[@lorannawallace3068]

Mines does not say log in on the email for my mom it just says get started. It takes me to this part where she logs in but nothing appears for her to input on my form it’s just blank. Confusing and frustrating

[@collegeplanningprofessionals]

Have you or your mom logged into her account and then checked "my activity"?

[@turkishguide2008]

Is this page open ? Will it be difficult for non-us citizen parents with US citizen child ?

[@collegeplanningprofessionals]

Parents do not have to be citizens but the child does. FAFSA opens December 31st. If you need help let me know.

[@winter3928]

I didn't get an option to choose a contributor for the FASFA form... can you add them after the fact, me and my family have been struggling to figure it out? I had completed the form but never got the option to add a contributor, I live with legal guardians is that why? Or does it need to process first?

[@collegeplanningprofessionals]

Yes, if you live with legal guardians they are not considered your parents and their information is not required on your FAFSA.

[@winter3928]

@@collegeplanningprofessionals Thank you for the info!

[@myreeshiabailey6394]

Can I use the same parent for 2022-23 for 2024-25? I’m trying to add my mom but it’s saying she already has a account

[@collegeplanningprofessionals]

Yes your parent can use the same FSA ID/studentaid.gov account

[@carlosbarajas4125]

my mothers didn’t ask for her full income of 2022 of the irs she is widowed does that mean FAFSA themselves will check her income via Social Security?

[@collegeplanningprofessionals]

If your parent consented to contribute to your FAFSA form her 2022 IRS tax form will be sent to FAFSA and the colleges.

[@yazsarmiti8337]

thank you for this tutorial, but i am having a problem that in the middle of creating FSA ID as a parent i have it frozen on the address (section3) while every information is correct :/ so now i cant fill any information for my daughter

[@andrea__5197]

just fill out the phone number not the address continue on, and later add the address, it happened to me too

[@collegeplanningprofessionals]

The FAFSA is not fully functioning. Keep trying. You can also try the refresh button.

[@JShaNee]

If you're married filing jointly, does the student need to send separate contributor invites to each parent? My husband received and accepted the invite, but I haven't received mine yet in my activity task. Although my name and SSN are listed on my husband form, I'm unsure if both of us need to sign as contributors, or if one parent's signature is sufficient.

[@collegeplanningprofessionals]

Since you filed married joint only one parent will need to contribute to your child's FAFSA - both you and your husband's financial info is provided in the joint tax return.

[@JShaNee]

​@@collegeplanningprofessionalsThank you!

[@djmtgmikethegreek5505]

Question: Fafsa is telling us to use 2022 IRS tax form for 2024/25 academic year. However the new form has questions such as : Did parent receive EITC credits? Which we did for 2023. Amount of college grants received,which we did in 2023. Do we write in those amounts even though they were for 2023 ? Very confusing. My son will be a sophomore for 2024/25 year. Thank you in advance.

[@collegeplanningprofessionals]

The 2024-25 FAFSA uses the income from 2022 but the assets as of the day you are completing the FAFSA.

[@AriannaDelgado]

I don’t have parent’s account. I have my daughter’s invitation…. Do I need to do my registration first? Where I can do this? Thanks

[@collegeplanningprofessionals]

You will need to create your own account to contribute to her FAFSA. create your account at studentaid.gov

[@jackiegonzalez5336]

My daughter is living with her father, and he has been on disability which he does not file taxes, he is receiving SSI...she is 18 already. Does it impact her if he has not file taxes in the last years.

[@collegeplanningprofessionals]

No it will not impact her. He wil need to indicate that he does not file taxes and consent to have his IRS records checked. Your daughter may have to speak with the financial aid office of the college she plans to attend and provide more clarity on this issue.

[@djmtgmikethegreek5505]

AT 10:45 Form shows 'Date the student became resident' but you enter date parent became resident.Is that correct ?

[@collegeplanningprofessionals]

If it asks for student then the answer is for student. If student was born in US state then the date you enter is the student's birthdate.

[@shuukagamine3903]

My form did not have a parent asset section, should I be worried?

[@collegeplanningprofessionals]

You probably checked off one of the benefits - free and reduced lunch, tanf or food stamps etc. If so assets are skipped.

[@vanessanguyen2291]

when it ask about parent assets, do i only include both of my parents assets combined?

[@collegeplanningprofessionals]

It depends on which parent is required to complete the FAFSA.

[@vanessanguyen2291]

@@collegeplanningprofessionalsso if my parents r married but my dad is the one i invited on this form and it ask about how much assets they make, would i only include my dad and not my mom?

[@vanessanguyen2291]

@@collegeplanningprofessionalsalso tysm

[@collegeplanningprofessionals]

If your parent filed married joint then only one parent needs to complete the FAFSA. If your parents filed married separate then both parents need to complete the FAFSA and have their own FSA ID. So it depends on their tax filing status. For assets if you live with your married parents then it would be assets for both parents.

[@sun00305]

Hi I have a question. My stepdad is trying to create a Fafsa account since he is required in the spouse area for my mom but for some reason we can’t get past the ‘Address & Mobile Phone Account Access’. I was wondering if there’s something I can do to stop this issue. We have tried many different methods but we’re always stuck at that section.

[@collegeplanningprofessionals]

You can contact fafsa help line 800 433 3243. I would also try refreshing screen or restarting computer as well.

[@sun00305]

Thank you I’ll contact them!

[@AriannaDelgado]

The didn’t answer 😢

[@annaskaer1461]

My son asked chat gpt and it said to leave them both blank and then come back and fill them in later. It finally worked for me.@@AriannaDelgado

[@josephrojas1422]

My parent email address cant be verified even when they input the given access code. Do you know that to do?

[@collegeplanningprofessionals]

Create a new email and try that.

[@user-sk3wk6ky2r]

I completed the 24-25 FAFSA parent form. It's linked to our son's account. How do I get back in to complete the student section?

[@collegeplanningprofessionals]

You will need to log into the FAFSA through your son's studentaid.gov account.

[@aliceyl292]

I just created an account but I might have clicked the students instead of parents while creating a login... what should I do now?*** I am a parent

[@collegeplanningprofessionals]

When creating an account there is no reference to parent or student. Log into your studentaid.gov account with the username and password you created and verify whose information you used. If you combined your information with your students then you should contact the fafsa helpline at 800 433 3243.

[@MariaSanchez-hz9pj]

My mom filled her portion of the application on the fasfa form. All that is needed is her signature however I am having so much trouble getting it submitted because of that reason. I checked and everything is completed. It says "one contributor has not signed/approved the consent forms" but my mom filled out everything, it allows me to submit it without her signature but it says if I do my application will be ineligible

[@collegeplanningprofessionals]

Your mom will have to consent and sign your form in order for you to receive money. Unfortunately, this is the new rule.

[@MariaSanchez-hz9pj]

How can she do that? it wont let me!! @@collegeplanningprofessionals

[@collegeplanningprofessionals]

Log out and log back in and try to sign.

[@rosevillecalifornia]

Does the student file the FAFSA first? Can the parent file the FAFSA form before the student?

[@collegeplanningprofessionals]

Yes, the parent can start the FAFSA first and send a request for the student to become a contributor. The student must sign in and complete their section and consent even if you answer the student questions.

[@martinsonyeboah5775]

how can my contributor send a request to be a contributor@@collegeplanningprofessionals

[@FJCERNA]

What if the mother of the student was never married to the father ,but is now married to another man and they file married but separate, is the step parent tax info required

[@collegeplanningprofessionals]

Assuming the mother and her husband provided the most financial support over the last year, the step parent would be a contributor to the student's FAFSA and will need to create a studentaid.gov account, complete the FAFSA and consent to his tax info be shared in order for the student to receive financial aid.

[@alinacrehul1984]

Where in this application I need to add the P 529?

[@collegeplanningprofessionals]

You will add the value of your student's 529 account under checking and savings. Do not include the value of any other children's accounts in this area.

[@kaylaschaaf3339]

Do my parents make their own account or use my login?

[@collegeplanningprofessionals]

Parents will need their own studentaid account

[@martinsonyeboah5775]

how can my parents request to be my contributor after I submitted my form as an independent sstudent

[@collegeplanningprofessionals]

If you are independent there is no need for parent contributors - that's what independent means.

[@Mari57893]

So does the parent have to create their own username and account or they can login with students account??!!! Help pleaseee😢😢😢😢

[@latrellbanks3508]

Having the same problem

[@collegeplanningprofessionals]

The parent and student need to create their own studentaid.gov account/FSA ID. Please do not use the same email account for student and parent. You should log into your student's FAFSA as the parent and complete your section.

[@Mari57893]

@@latrellbanks3508 ok so I tried creating an account for my parents so she can complete her part of the section it appears that she already has a social security but she doesn’t have one

[@collegeplanningprofessionals]

If she doesn't have a social scurity number she can still create a studentaid.gov account without it. When creating the account check does not have a social security number and she will be given a set of questions to confirm her identity.

[@Sojiseeke]

@@collegeplanningprofessionals . I have a similar issue. I don't have an SSN but I keep getting a page where it says I have an SSN. I have called the 1800 number without success and also used the chatbot without success.

[@MrsB8313]

What about the fact that I am married now, but was not in 2022. How does that work? Do I still need my now husband’s information even though we weren’t married in 2022?

[@collegeplanningprofessionals]

Unfortunately, yes. However when entering information about your 2022 tax return report your tax filing status in 2022 or the IRS will not be able to match your tax return in the system. Colleges and the government want to know who is supporting the student financially now but is using the 2022 tax return because it is already completed.

[@shaeblackburn8228]

Can I do this on an ipad?

[@collegeplanningprofessionals]

Yes.

[@user-my1cs6do4h]

Is 2024 and 2025 meant for student who are graduating in 2024?

[@collegeplanningprofessionals]

Yes the 2024-25 FAFSA is meant for all students attending college, trade or vocational school starting in the fall of 2024.

[@user-my1cs6do4h]

@@collegeplanningprofessionals would it count if a mistakenly did the 23-24 fads a form ?

[@user-my1cs6do4h]

Fafsa*

[@collegeplanningprofessionals]

It will not count for the school year starting in the fall. You will need to complete the 2024-25 FAFSA.

[@gdelete8098]

If parents are not obligated to these student financial loans then why are parents required to provide such detailed documents about their finances, retirement, assets, etc? This just seems like a giant scam for banks and other government entities to market to inexperienced "students" in order to take advantage of them.

[@collegeplanningprofessionals]

The information provided on the forms is for the colleges to determine who they will give their money to and which students can benefit from available financial aid from the government.

[@gdelete8098]

@@collegeplanningprofessionals Thank you for responding. I still don't see what the students parents assets have to do with the students abilities.

[@kiaburgess1166]

My email doesn’t say login it says get started

[@collegeplanningprofessionals]

ok, get started!

[@user-zw5oi5rg9c]

I don’t have parent’s account. I have my daughter’s invitation…. Do I need to do my registration first? Where I can do this? Thanks

[@collegeplanningprofessionals]

You will need to create your account at studentaid.gov