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2024-2025 Account Creation Guidance for FAFSA Contributors without SSN

Updated

April 30, Update: Access to the 2024-25 FAFSA Form for Individuals Without a Social Security Number

 

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FAFSA Glitch: Solution

Parents without SSNs are unable to create an FSA ID and sign for their students

If a parent without a Social Security number (SSN) begins filling out the 2024-2025 FAFSA form for a student, they will encounter an error message on the “Student Information” page. This error message incorrectly indicates that the user is “unauthorized to act on behalf of the student since they already have a 2024-2025 FAFSA form,” even if the student has not initiated an application. Additaionally, a parent without an SSN is unable to contribute to the form, even if the student initiates the application and invites the parent to participate.

Here’s what we recommend

Option 1

Contact FAFSA using Live Chat and Request a “MANVER CASE NUMBER”

  • Visit the Federal Student Aid Help Center
  • Request a manual verification for parents via Live Chat support.
    • You can find Live Chat under contact Federal Student Aid Information Center (FSAIC).
  • Tell the representative that you need a MANVER Case Number so that you can verify your parent’s identity (the account holder has to be the one reaching out and the parent must be present).
 FAFSA Customer Service Representative

Once you reach a representative, they will send an email requesting you to submit documentation to verify your identity. Upon successful identity verification, parents will then be able to create an FSA ID and sign for their student.

Option 2

Contact FAFSA using the "Email Us" form to Request a Case Number

  • Visit the Federal Student Aid Help Center
  • Click on "I'm a Parent"
  • Click "Email" under the "Federal Student Aid Information Center (FSAIC)"
  • Complete the "Email Us" form:
    1. Name: MUST MATCH Parent Contributor Invitation
    2. Email Address: Cannot be the same as student's account. Make sure the email matches what the student put on the Parent Contributor Invitation
    3. Subject: "FSA ID: Account Username and Password"
    4. I have a question about..."Create Account, Log In, and FSA ID"
    5. How can I help you today?
      1. "I need a case number to complete my Attestation & Validation of Identity form."
    6. Click SEND
  • Parents should receive an email with a case number. Use the case number when
    completing the Attestation & Validation of Identity form.
    1. Email Attestation & Validation of Identity form with supporting documents to: IDVerification@ed.gov
    2. Parents will be contacted by email once their identity is validated. Once
      validated, parents can complete the contributor portion of the FAFSA

Acceptable Documents to Establish an Individual's Identity

  • U.S. Driver’s License/Territory Driver's License
  • U.S. State/City Identification Card
  • Foreign Passport
  
  • Municipal Identification Cards + utility bill
  • Community ID + utility bill
  • Consular Identification Cards/Matricula Consular + utility bill
OR
 

Live Chat Issues

Citrus College is aware that Live Chat support is sometimes unavailable. Based on feedback from the community, mornings tend to offer better success rates when attempting to reach FAFSA support. You may need to try contacting them at different times. Please be aware that the entire process can be time-consuming, as it may take 1-3 hours for the account to be created.

Email Timeframe

Citrus College understands that creating an FSA ID for parents without an SSN is currently not functioning as expected. To address this, parents and students must complete the Attestation & Validation of Identity form, which requires a case number. Instead of reaching out via phone or live chat, an alternative option is to use the "Email Us" form available on the FSA website. When filling out this form, please ensure that the parent's information is used. Citrus College is not aware of how long the "email" option will take.  

2024-2025 Paper FAFSA

While a paper FAFSA is available for the 2024-2025 academic year, Citrus College anticipates that students and families opting to submit paper applications may experience significant delays. It's important to note that the Department of Education will prioritize electronically submitted applications before processing paper applications. Therefore, students and families are strongly encouraged to submit their FAFSA electronically for timely processing.

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