My FSA ID for the FAFSA

What is a FSA ID?

A FSA ID is the username and password you use when you visit certain U.S. Department of Education websites and sign documents such as the FAFSA.

How do I get an FSA ID?

Visit Studentaid.gov to learn about and create an FSA ID. Here’s what you need to get your FSA ID:

• Social Security number (you must have a SSN to get a FSA ID)
• Full Name (must match your Social Security card)
• Date of Birth
• Mobile Phone Number and/or Email Address

Although you’re not required to provide your e-mail address when you set up your FSA ID, it will make retrieving your username and password easier if you forget them. Just make sure you don’t use the same e-mail address as someone else (i.e. parent). Each e-mail address is associated with only one FSA ID. Also make sure you can access the e-mail account prior to setting up the FSA ID.

Top FSA ID Tips

• Never tell anyone else your FSA ID—not even your parent, child, school official, or loan company representative. Remember, your FSA ID is your signature. Protect it!

• Create your own FSA ID. Letting someone else create or use your FSA ID can cause problems or delays with your student aid. And never make an FSA ID for someone else.

• You’ll use your FSA ID every year you fill out a FAFSA and for the lifetime of any loans. So be sure to take a little time while making it to create a memorable username, password, and answers to your “challenge questions.” Keep your FSA ID in a safe place, or memorize it.
• One of your parents might need an FSA ID as well. If you need to provide information about your parents on the FAFSA, one of your parents will have to sign the application. Your parent can create an FSA ID and then sign the FAFSA electronically using that FSA ID. 
  FILLING OUT THE FAFSA
• Each e-mail address can be associated with only one FSA ID. If you share an e-mail address with someone else, only one of you will be able to use that e-mail address to create an FSA ID. So, for instance, if you’re a dependent student, and you and your mom share an e-mail address, one of you should use a different e-mail address when creating an FSA ID.