The FSA ID (or federal student aid ID) is the login and electronic signature process that the Department of Education uses.  Students, parents, and borrowers use the FSA IS to apply for federal student aid, sign their FAFSA and access any federal student aid records online.

To sign and access the federal financial aid systems, you need to create an FSA ID.  The FSA ID is your electronic signature and thus unique to each person.  For the FAFSA process, each student and one dependent student’s parent will need an FSA ID before completing the FAFSA.  The student and the parent do not share an FSA ID.

This process replaced the FAFSA pin in 2015.  You will need an FSA ID for borrowers trying to access their federal loan history but have not accessed it since 5/10/2015.  It is a different login than your loan servicer’s login.

Over the past few years, the Department of Education has centralized many of its prior websites.  Most needed federal financial aid and student loan information reside there now.  The FSA ID login process authenticates users and allows them to access StudentAid.gov  websites.

The FSA ID login process improves security for its users by allowing the students, parents, and borrowers to create a user-selected username and password.  The FSA ID eliminates the need for people to enter personal identifiers such as Social Security, name, and date of birth each time they want to log in.  The person now enters less personal information with this single sign-on process than before.  The FSA ID is similar to most other secure login systems used for your banking and credit cards.

Username and Password

• Valid email address (an email that you will have in the future)
• Username
• Password requirement
• Upper Case
• Lower Case
• Number
• Special Character
• Social Security Number

Creating an FSA ID requires the person to input the following information:

1. Enter a valid email address
2. Create username and password (Need Upper case, lower case, a number, and a special character)
3. Enter Social Security, Date of Birth, and current name on Social Security
4. Answer a series of security questions as follows:
   • 2 General Challenge Questions (System Options)
   • 2 Personal Challenge Questions (Person creates both question & answer)
   • 1 Special date (Date other than birthday)
5. Review and confirm
6. Email verified now by inputting 6 digits secure code (code will be sent to your email)
7. After 7/1/2022, Double Authentication is preferred, and your cell number will be required.
8. Hit acceptance of the terms and conditions
9. At this point, the FSA ID will be created.
10.  It will take 3-5 days to be verified by the social security administration

Email Importance

When setting up the FSA ID, a person can decide to input their email into the system.  I would suggest providing this information and keeping it updated.  If the username or password is lost, having a valid email will make retrieval easier.  The email is also used for notifications and service help.  Also, a verified email address can be used as your username when logging into certain U.S. Department of Education websites.  Maintaining this information can be crucial, especially if you will have gaps in the education process.

If a person forgets their username and password, you can still obtain this information by answering 3 of the challenge questions you put earlier into the system.   These steps are all part of the authentication process.  As of 7/1/2022, a cell phone number is being requested so that a double authentication process can be used when accessing your FAFSA and loan data.

With the FSA ID sign-up, you will also be requested to verify your email.  A 6-digit code will be sent to your email, which you will need to enter into the FSA ID system after receiving it.  This step is just another added security change.

Your FSA ID account will periodically expire.  The password will need to be changed every year for added security and is a reason to select an email you will have for an extended period.

Conclusion

The Department of Education designed the FSA ID to make the process easier.  On the government website, studentaid.ed.gov, families can find a list of frequently asked questions for families to review.  Throughout the screens, icons describe what is needed in the fields required. 

This centralization has made it easier for people to navigate the process.  On the StudentAid.gov website, people can complete the FAFSA, see their loan inventory, and complete the loan forgiveness form, to name a few. 

The StudentAid.gov website will only have federal student loan data.  If you plan to use a private loan to help supplement the cost of paying for college, that information will not be available there.  A credit report is the only way to see all of your student loans if you have both.  If you are considering using private loans for paying for college or refinancing, then PayForED can also help with our Private Loan MarketPlace.