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Published July 27, 2023 | Last Updated March 28th, 2024 at 05:03 pm
Your FSA ID, also called the FAFSA ID, is the username and password parents and students use on studentaid.gov to submit the FAFSA and federal loan documents. You’ll use it whenever you visit the website and share or update information.
The username and password help confirm your identity and keep your information secure and private. As a result, it’s important to use a strong password and follow usual internet security rules, such as not sharing your username and password with others.
You’ll also use your FSA ID to electronically sign financial student aid documents.
Another name for the FSA ID is FAFSA ID, but that’s not its official name.
>> RELATED ARTICLE: FULLY UPDATED FAFSA GUIDE FOR 2024-25
Yes. Anyone involved in the federal student aid application process needs an FSA ID. The revamped 2024-25 FAFSA, which will open by Dec. 31, 2023, is introducing the concept of form “contributors,” which may include:
Each FS ID functions as a signature, so parents and children cannot share the same ID. Instead, each individual needs one. FAFSA sections may be relevant to the student, parents, spouses or combinations of them. Each person needs to fill out the section that pertains to them while logged in using their own FSA ID.
No one should create an FSA ID for you. Nor should you share your FSA ID information with anyone else. It’s similar to allowing someone to forge your signature, and it can put your financial information at risk.
Also, since the FSA ID will be used to check student loan accounts, it’s very important to remember your ID and keep it and a password in a safe place to access it for years to come. Parents who may need to fill out FAFSA applications for their younger children down the road will use the same FSA ID for each application.
Parents, guardians, and students need an FSA ID to begin the FAFSA process. For the 2024-25 FAFSA, you can do this now or the day you start the application. The system will direct you to create one.
However, we recommend creating your FSA ID in advance. We recommend this to troubleshoot any verification or email delivery issues. It can take one to three days to verify your FSA ID. Creating your ID in advance means fewer problems the day you fill out your FAFSA.
You may already have an FSA ID, even if you don’t remember it. To see if you have an account, use the “Forgot my username” prompt on the login page. The system will ask you for additional information to verify your identity. If you can find that you have created an account at some point, it will give you your username.
Once you have your username, you may have to request your password again. Follow the “Forgot my password” prompt on the login page to recover your account.
If you’ve taken out student loans in the past, but it’s been a long time ago, you may have information on file but not have an FSA ID. This is common when parents who had their student loans many years ago want to complete a FAFSA for their student. They may be prompted to set up an online FSA ID at the time of the application that will be matched to the information the Department of Education has on file for them.
The basic steps to create an FSA ID are the same for everyone, although slight variations may exist. To set up an account, you’ll provide your Social Security number, date of birth, email or mobile phone number, and mailing address.
Criminals have new ways of stealing personal information and financial resources, including FSA ID fraud. To prevent them from getting access to your account, always use best practices for setting up an ID and password, and don’t share your information.
Don’t follow links from other sites or be fooled by third-party companies offering to set up an FSA ID on your behalf. Type in StudentAid.gov directly and conduct your FAFSA business on that site only. If you suspect someone may have access to your accounts, change your password immediately, and reach out to the Department of Education immediately for assistance through the Help link on the website.
Starting with the 2024-25 FAFSA form, your results arrive in your StudentAid.gov account as your “FAFSA Submission Summary.” This replaces the previous Student Aid Report. The summary will show your aid eligibility and your Student Aid Index (SAI), which replaces the Expected Family Contribution (EFC). See our 2024-25 FAFSA guide for details.
Like all electronic logins, the FSA ID has its share of possible complications. While most are user errors, knowing about the common problems ahead of time can save you time and frustration.
The most common FSA ID problems include forgetting login information, getting locked out of an account, or using the wrong account information to access your account. Some users may find emails from FAFSA.gov in their spam folder, too.
You can resolve FSA ID problems by contacting the FAFSA account center through their help link at StudentAid.gov.
| PROBLEM | SOLUTION |
|---|---|
| Forgot username | Click "Forgot my username" and follow the directions |
| Forgot password | Click "Forgot my password" and follow the directions |
| Can’t remember if I already have an ID | Try the “forgot my username” and “forgot my password” prompts to see if you have an account |
| Locked out of account | Try to log in to your account and use the "Unlock your FSA ID" process. Follow directions and answer your challenge questions. (You may have to wait 30 minutes after unlocking to log in.) |
| No longer have access to two-step verification methods | Use your Backup Code |
| Lost your Backup Code | Log in and create a new one under the “Two-step verification” link |
| Don’t have access to email, password, or Backup Code | Contact FAFSA at 1-800-4-FED-AID (1-800-433-3243) |
| Don’t have a Social Security Number | Undocumented parents without an SSN cannot get an FSA ID and must use a printed FAFSA with 000-00-0000 in the SSN field |
| Creating a new FSA ID and receiving "Social Security Number already in use" message | You have already created an FSA ID and forgot, or your student is a victim of identity theft. Contact FAFSA at 1-800-4-FED-AID (1-800-433-3243) |
When on the StudentAid.gov website, a chat app will pop up in the lower right corner. Click this to begin accessing help resources. You can also call them directly at 1-800-433-3243.
Your FSA ID is an important tool for accessing financial aid. Even if you don’t plan on qualifying for need-based aid, many schools need the FAFSA completed to consider your student for merit or talent aid, too. You’ll also need it for loans, so getting the process right the first time is essential.
Securing the FSA ID early, verifying it’s connected to the correct email or cell number, and writing your login information down in a secure location can help you avoid issues later. You’ll also want to whitelist emails from FAFSA.gov so that you can promptly respond to your SAR or any requests for information.
Road2College offers a college search and comparison tool called R2C Insights. Try it for free to see which colleges provide the most financial aid for your situation. We offer a free version to get started and a premium version to go deeper.
R2C Insights has data on which colleges require only the FAFSA and which colleges require the FAFSA and the CSS Profile. This information can be helpful for divorced families and families with low income but high retirement assets (since the FAFSA does not include assets in qualified retirement accounts). R2C Insights users can identify schools that only require FAFSA. Depending on your financial situation, some families should consider having their student apply to at least one or more of these schools.
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