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The FAFSA is the single most important form for college money — and the current "contributor" version splits the work between the student and each parent. Here’s exactly what your part is, so the form doesn’t stall waiting on you.
You’re a "contributor," not the filer
On today’s FAFSA, the student owns the application and invites parents as contributors. Each of you fills out and signs your own piece with your own account — a change from the old days of one parent doing the whole thing. Knowing that up front avoids a lot of confusion.
Create your OWN FSA ID first
Under the current FAFSA, each "contributor" — including a parent — needs their own FSA ID (account username and password) at studentaid.gov. Create yours before your student starts, and don't share logins: the student and each parent sign in separately. Setting it up can take a day or two to verify, so do it early.
Wait for the student's invitation
Your student starts the FAFSA and invites you as a contributor using your name, date of birth, Social Security number (or the new option without one), and email. You'll get an email to log in and complete your section. You can't do your part until they invite you.
Provide your financial information
You consent to having your tax data pulled directly from the IRS, then confirm a few details. The form asks about income, certain assets, and family size. Have last year's tax return handy, but most of it transfers automatically now.
Sign, and mind the deadlines
Each contributor signs their own section. The FAFSA opens in the fall for the next school year — file as early as you can, because some aid is first-come. Check each college's priority deadline, which is often earlier than the federal one.
Set up your FSA ID a few days early
The most common parent snag is waiting until FAFSA night to make an FSA ID, then finding it needs a day or two to verify. Create yours at studentaid.gov ahead of time so you can jump straight to your section when your student invites you.
Many families skip the FAFSA assuming they won’t qualify — and miss out. The FAFSA is the gateway to far more than need-based grants: federal student loans, work-study, and many state and college scholarships require it regardless of income. It’s free and takes well under an hour. File it every year your student is enrolled.
Keep going: see the full Arizona FAFSA guide, the rules for divorced or separated parents, and how parents can help.