Applying for financial aid through the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is something the majority of admitted college students go through each year, with around 18 million applications filed annually. Completing the FAFSA requires the financial information of both the dependent student and their parent or legal guardian. But some parents feel uncomfortable sharing detailed financial information with their child. If your student is asking for your information for the FAFSA and you’re hesitant, here’s what you need to know—and what your options are.
Can you prevent your child from seeing your financial information?
The short answer: kind of. The FAFSA is considered the student’s application, which is why students are responsible for submitting it, while parents play a supporting role. The Department of Education requires students to certify the accuracy of the application, which means they must be able to view all information submitted—including parent financial data.
While the FAFSA is designed to be collaborative, this level of transparency may feel uncomfortable. Fortunately, there are two ways parents can complete their portion of the form while limiting how much their student actually sees.
Use the IRS Data Retrieval Tool (DRT)
Beginning with the 2024–25 FAFSA, the older IRS Data Retrieval Tool (DRT) was replaced with the IRS Direct Data Exchange (DDX). This system allows parents and students to transfer their federal tax return information directly into the FAFSA. According to Federal Student Aid, using DDX is the easiest and most accurate way to provide income information.
When a parent consents to the transfer, their tax information is pulled directly from the IRS and appears on the FAFSA as “Transferred from the IRS.” The actual numbers are masked and are not visible to the student, meaning the parent’s detailed financial information remains private. To use the DDX, you must have already filed your U.S. tax return for the relevant year (for the 2026–27 FAFSA, that means your 2024 tax return).
Related: How to Get the Most Financial Aid Possible for Your College Education
Fill out your own sections of the form
If you’re not eligible to use the IRS Direct Data Exchange, you can still complete your portion of the FAFSA securely and separately. For the 2026–27 FAFSA, both students and parents (or other contributors, such as a spouse) must create their own FSA ID, which serves as a secure login and electronic signature.
Instead of the older save key system, the FAFSA now uses an email-based contributor invite process. After the student begins the form, they can invite each required contributor by entering that person’s email address. The invited contributor receives a secure code and link, then signs in with their own FSA ID to complete only the sections that apply to them.
This system keeps the application secure while making it easier for families to complete their parts independently, even if they aren’t in the same place. Although your student could still review your entries once they’re submitted, you can ask them to respect your privacy. This setup ensures everyone fulfills their responsibility for the form without needing to share sensitive financial documents directly.
Why financial transparency can be valuable
While it’s understandable to want to keep your financial details private, the FAFSA process can also serve as a valuable teaching moment. Allowing your student to see aspects of your finances can open the door to meaningful conversations about money. For example, if your tax return shows contributions to a retirement plan, it could spark a discussion about the importance of saving early. If they notice investments, it may lead to a conversation about how to start investing responsibly.
Not every family is comfortable sharing everything, and that’s okay. But remember that financial transparency—even in small doses—can help your student build healthy financial habits for the future.
Related: Help Your Teen Learn How to Budget and Save Money for College
If you’re not comfortable sharing every detail of your financial life with your child, you do have options when completing the FAFSA. Using the IRS Direct Data Exchange masks your numbers entirely, while completing your sections separately with an FSA ID and save key allows for more privacy. At the same time, being open about at least some financial information can benefit your student in the long run by giving them real-world lessons in money management.
For more advice on how to help your student get to the right school at the right price, check out our Parents section.
