FSA ID. Why Do I Need One?
Is FSA ID the same as FAFSA PIN? No. The FAFSA PIN is officially dead. It is no longer accepted on any FSA websites or by any applications.
In its place, the Department of Education has launched the more secure FSA ID that allow both students and parents to select their own user name and password.
This change will eliminate the need to enter personal identifiers — your name, date of birth and Social Security Number along with the four-digit code, when accessing all the websites managed by the U.S. Department of Education.
What is my FSA ID?
The FSA ID is a username and password that allows you to electronically submit and sign your FAFSA form or the myStudentAid mobile app.
Without one, you’ll need to print, sign and mail the FAFSA signature page to submit your application, a much longer process.
Additionally, your FSA ID can be utilized to sign loan contracts and access helpful information online from U.S. Department of Education websites.
With an FSA ID you are able to
- review your federal student aid records online
- electronically sign your (or your child’s) FAFSA® form
- make corrections to your FAFSA information
- check the status of your FAFSA and
- view or print an electronic copy of your Student Aid Report (SAR)
You’ll use your FSA ID every year you fill out a Free Application for Federal Student Aid form and for the lifetime of your federal student loan.
It’s important to understand that the student and the parent may not share an FSA ID as your FSA ID serves as a legal signature, so it has to be unique to you.
How do I know if I have an FSA ID?
If you have not logged into a Federal Student Aid website since May 10, 2015, you probably don’t have an FSA ID — even if you submitted a FAFSA form earlier that year.
How to create an FSA ID?
To obtain an FSA ID, go to the U.S. Department of Education’s website at at fsaid.ed.gov. You’ll need to provide an email address, select a username and password, and enter your full name, date of birth and Social Security Number.
The REGISTRATION PROCESS consists of the following steps:
- Enter your email address
- Create a username and password If you choose so, you will now be able to use your verified mobile phone number as your FSA ID username
- Enter your name, date of birth, and Social Security Number
- Enter your mobile phone number
- Setup several “Challenge Questions and Answers”
- Read and accept the terms
- Verify your mobile phone number
- Verify your email address
From the time you apply, it can take anywhere from one to three days for your information to be verified with the Social Security Administration (SSA). Once verified, you will be able to use your FSA ID for all of its purposes.
Be sure to keep your username and password in a safe place and do not share it with anyone. Each year that you apply for financial aid, you can use your FSA ID to access and electronically sign your FAFSA.
What do I do if I forgot my FSA ID and password?
If you forget your username or password, you can go to the “Manage My FSA ID” tab on the login page and select “Forgot My Username” or “Forgot My Password” to reset your credentials.
From there, you can either answer three challenge questions or request a secure code. If you choose the latter, the code will be sent to the email or mobile phone provided when you created your FSA ID.