When completing the FAFSA® as a dependent undergraduate student, you’ll need to provide details about one or both parents. However, family dynamics can vary, and it’s not always obvious whose information to include. We’ll explain the distinction between a FAFSA parent and someone who simply contributes, helping to simplify the process.
FAFSA Parent or Contributor Login
Parents of dependent undergraduate students are required to provide information on your child’s FAFSA, and you need your own FSA ID. To create an FSA ID at StudentAid.gov, you will need to provide your social security number, phone number and/or an active email address.
In certain situations, along with your FAFSA parent, you may need a FAFSA Contributor to input information into your FAFSA. In this situation, you will be able to invite the FAFSA Contributor to input information into your FAFSA, but they will also require an FSA ID. Just like your FAFSA Parent, your Contributor will need to create their own FSA ID at StudentAid.gov.
An example of a potential FAFSA Contributor would be your stepparent. If it is determined that you will provide the information of one of your parents, and that parent is remarried, your stepparent may be required to create an FSA ID, offer consent and approval to transfer their federal tax and income information from the IRS into your FAFSA, and sign your FAFSA. Typically, this is required if your FAFSA parent and their spouse filed their taxes separately for the reportable FAFSA year. You may not need to invite your parent to complete your FAFSA if they were the ones to initiate the FAFSA process. If they started the FAFSA, you will receive an invite to start the process.
My Parent or Contributor Does Not Have an SSN
If your FAFSA parent or FAFSA Contributor does not have a social security number, that doesn’t mean you can’t complete the FAFSA. A FAFSA Parent or FAFSA Contributor will be able to create an FSA ID without an SSN. They would need to create a StudentAid.gov account, the username and password for that account would be the FSA ID.
The 2025-2026 FAFSA will require all FAFSA contributors (student, and parents) to have an FSA ID to access and/or fill out the FAFSA. The parent will indicate when they create their FSA ID that they do not have an SSN. When they log in to complete the student’s FAFSA application, the parent’s SSN field will be an inactive field. The parent will leave the SSN field blank. Federal Student Aid has published a guide to help you and your FAFSA Contributors through the process of creating an FSA ID.
Do I Have to Put My Parent's Information on the FAFSA?
If the FAFSA has determined you are a dependent undergraduate student, you will be required to provide your parent(s)’ information on your FAFSA. There could be certain exceptions to this rule if you are unable—or your parents are unwilling—to provide information.
FAFSA What if I Don't Live With My Parents?
If you are considered a dependent undergraduate student for FAFSA purposes, the FAFSA is going to request that you provide your parent demographic and financial information, regardless of your living situation.
If you are unable to provide that information or your parent is unwilling to provide you with information, you will indicate that you will only apply for Direct Unsubsidized Loans. At that point, you will need to work with your financial aid administrator to determine your eligibility for Direct Unsubsidized Loans because your FAFSA will technically be in a ‘Rejected’ status. The electronic FAFSA will offer you instructions if this scenario applies to you.
MORE>>>What Do I Do If My Parent Refuses to Complete the FAFSA?
FAFSA Parent Information
The FAFSA will ask parents to provide basic demographic and financial information to include in each dependent undergraduate student completing the FAFSA. In other words, if you have more than one child enrolled in college, a separate FAFSA application is required. However, if you a FAFSA Parent or Contributor for multiple children, you may notice that once you complete the information for one student, the information will be transferred to other FAFSA applications you are asked to complete. But don't assume your step is over just by logging in, you will need to sign each FAFSA application that indicates that you are a FAFSA Parent or Contributor.
Which Parent Information Goes on the FAFSA?
Here is how to determine your FAFSA parent(s).
Parents are living together. You will provide the information for both of your parents on the FAFSA. It does not matter if your parents are married or have never been married, are a same-sex couple, separated, or divorced. If they live together include both of them.
Your parents do not live together. You will need to take some steps to determine which parent is your FAFSA parent. If your parents are married (and not separated) you will need to provide information for both parents. If your parents are not married, you will need to go through the next few steps to determine who is your FAFSA parent. This will also apply if your parents are separated, but not yet legally divorced, and do not live together, you will need to follow these steps as well.
For the 2025-2026 FAFSA, you will provide the information for your parent:
- Who provided you more financial support over the past 12 months. However, if no one parent provided more support than the other…
- Provide the information for the parent who has the greater income or assets.
If your FAFSA parent is married/remarried. You will need to provide their spouse's information on your FAFSA.
If your parent is widowed. Your surviving parent is your FAFSA parent.
FAFSA Divorced Parents
Situations of divorce can make it a bit confusing. If your parents are not living together, you will follow the steps above to determine your FAFSA parent. Although you are only providing information for your FAFSA parent (and their spouse, if applicable), your non-FAFSA parent can still help you pay for college. They can borrow a Direct PLUS loan or private parent loan to help you cover costs if they choose.
FAFSA Parent Died, Do I Report My Stepparent’s Information?
If your parent has died and your stepparent has not legally adopted you, you would not report your stepparent on your FAFSA. If you were determined to be a dependent student, you want to go back and review how you answered your dependency status questions. If you are having trouble completing your FAFSA, it would be best to contact your school for assistance.
If your FAFSA parent has died since you completed your FAFSA, reach out to your school’s financial aid office to explain your situation. You may be eligible for a dependency override.
FAFSA Legal Guardian, and Other Guardian Situations
For FAFSA purposes, legal guardians, and other guardians (like a grandparent, aunt, foster parent, siblings, etc.) are not considered your parent(s) when filing the FAFSA unless they have legally adopted you.
If you are in a guardianship arrangement, you want to make sure you answered your dependency questions accurately. If you answered the questions correctly and the FAFSA has classified you as a dependent student, you will need to provide parental information. If you needed to make an adjustment to the way you answered your dependency status questions, and the FAFSA has classified you as an independent student, you will not be required to provide parental information.
Do I Need a FAFSA Parent and FAFSA Contributor to Provide Information?
That depends. Let’s go through a few scenarios to help you through.
My Parents Live Together
You will need to get the information of both your parents into the FAFSA. However, one parent may be able to do this alone if they filed their taxes jointly for the base tax year for your respective FAFSA.
For example, for 2025-2026 FAFSA, the base tax year is 2023. If your parents filed a joint tax return in 2023, only one parent needs to provide information, consent for federal tax information transfer, and sign for both parents in your FAFSA.
If your parents filed their taxes separately for the base tax year for your respective FAFSA, both parents will need to be invited to your FAFSA. They will each log in to your FAFSA with their respective FSA ID, provide consent for federal tax information transfer, and sign your FAFSA.
My Parents Do No Live Together and Are Not Married
Once you determine who your FAFSA Parent is, you will need to determine if you need to add a stepparent as a contributor. If your FAFSA Parent and your stepparent filed taxes jointly for the base tax year, only your FAFSA parent will need an FSA ID to log into your FAFSA, provide consent for federal tax information transfer, and sign your FAFSA.
If your FAFSA Parent and stepparent files taxes separately for the base year, you will need to invite your FAFSA Parent and your stepparent (FAFSA Contributor) to your FAFSA. They will need to log into your FAFSA with their respective FSA ID, provide consent for federal tax information transfer, and sign your FAFSA.
What Do I Do if My Parents Won’t Fill Out the FAFSA?
If the FAFSA determined you’re a dependent undergraduate student, then you will be asked to provide parental information on your FAFSA. However, the FAFSA does give you an opportunity to indicate that you are unable to provide information from your parents, which will help determine if you are eligible for a dependency override or professional judgement review. Here are the steps you need to follow to help you complete the FAFSA without required parental information.
Can You Change Your Parent on FAFSA?
If you’ve already submitted your FAFSA, then you need to reach out to the Financial Aid Office to help you. If you attempt to update or correct the FAFSA by changing the parent listed on the form, it will trigger a need for review. Your school would up be reaching out to you for additional documentation anyway, so it’s best to be proactive and ask for their assistance.
Lying About Custodial Parent on FAFSA
The very act of providing any intentionally misleading information on your FAFSA could lead to serious consequences. Committing fraud may result in fines of up to $20,000 and up to five years in prison.
It’s always best to tell the truth.
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Student Parent Financial Information
