1. Create FSA ID: Contributors must first create their FSA ID on the StudentAid.gov website.
2. Request Case Number: After creating their FSA ID, contributors need to contact FSA ID support via phone or email to verify their identity. They should explicitly state, "I need to verify my identity. Please send me my case number." Given the current effectiveness, using phone or email communication is recommended over LiveChat.
3. Receive Case Number: Contributors will receive a case number, also known as a MANVER #, which is crucial for the next steps.
4. Complete Attestation and Validation of Identity Form: With the case number in hand, contributors should fill out the Attestation and Validation of Identity Form. This includes providing all necessary identification documents.
   • The address on the Attestation form can be international. However, the address on the FAFSA must be within the US. If a parent (contributor) lives abroad, the student’s US address can be used on the FAFSA. 
     • Attestation & validation of identity       (English)
     • Declaracion y validation de identidad (Spanish)

Submit Form and Await Confirmation: Once the Attestation form is submitted, the official processing time is listed as 1-3 business days. However, based on feedback from customer service, a more realistic expectation for processing is around 15 business days.

1. Follow Up if Necessary: If a contributor does not receive a case number via email after 15 business days, it's important they follow up with FSA ID support. There may be an issue with the documentation provided that needs resolution.
2. Sign & Submit FAFSA: Once the contributor’s identity is confirmed and they log into their account, they must return to the FAFSA to provide consent, approval, and their signature for processing to complete. If it was not previously submitted, then they will complete their section and submit.

1. Create FSA ID: Contributors must first create their FSA ID on the StudentAid.gov website.

2. Request Case Number: After creating their FSA ID, contributors need to contact FSA ID support via phone      or email to verify their identity. They should explicitly state, "I need to verify my identity. Please send me my      case number." Given the current effectiveness, using phone or email communication is recommended over      LiveChat.

• Contact: Federal Student Aid Information Center (FSAIC)

  • 1-800-433-3243
  • Hours of Operation:
  • Monday - Friday : 8 am -10 pm Eastern time(ET)
  • Saturday:  11 am-5 pm (ET)
  • Sunday: Closed

 3. Receive Case Number: Contributors will receive a case number, also known as a MANVER #, which is crucial for the next steps

4. Complete Attestation and Validation of Identity Form: With the case number in hand, contributors should fill out the Attestation and Validation of Identity Form. This includes providing all necessary identification documents.

       a. The address on the Attestation form can be international. However, the address on the FAFSA must be              within the US. If a parent (contributor) lives abroad, the student’s US address can be used on the FAFSA.

• Attestation & validation of identity       (English)
• Declaracion y validation de identidad (Spanish)

5. Submit Form and Await Confirmation: Once the Attestation form is submitted, the official processing time is listed as 1-3 business days. However, based on feedback from customer service, a more realistic expectation for processing is around 15 business days.

6. Follow Up if Necessary: If a contributor does not receive a case number via email after 15 business days, it's important they follow up with FSA ID support. There may be an issue with the documentation provided that needs resolution.

7. Sign & Submit FAFSA: Once the contributor’s identity is confirmed and they log into their account, they must return to the FAFSA to provide consent, approval, and their signature for processing to complete. If it was not previously submitted, then they will complete their section and submit. 

1. You will need to log into your account using either the email address associate with your account or by answering the security questions. You may need to contact your parents for these. 

2. Once you have logged into your account click on Edit My FSA ID and verify the name, Date of Birth and Social Security Number linked to the account. If these are close to yours but not entirely correct you can change this information. If they are your parent’s, STOP. Do not make corrections. You may not have an FSA ID set up yet. 

3. The email address, phone number, and mailing address should also match that of the account holder. 

 

Parents should NEVER create an FSA ID for a student, and vice versa 

 

I don’t know if I have an FSA ID: 

Option 1 

1. Search your email inbox for “FSA ID Information”. Remember to check your spam folder. 

 

Option 2 

2. Go to WWW.FSAID.ed.gov, and select Create an FSA ID. 

3. Enter a username and password, but do not enter an email address. Click Continue. 

4. Enter your name, Date of Birth, and Social Security Number as they appear on your social security card. Select Continue. 

5. If you receive the error message The information you entered is already associated with an FSA ID… then you or someone else may have set up an account for you already, and you will need to recover your username and password. 

 

I don’t remember my username: 

1. Go to WWW.FSAID.ed.gov, and select Manage My FSA ID. 

2. Select Forgot My Username. 

3. Skip to step 6 if you do not know your email address. Otherwise, enter your email, then open your email account in another browser tab. Keep the FSA ID tab open. 

4. If the email address you entered is linked to your account then a secure code from “FSA ID Information” will be sent to that address. Enter this code in the FSA ID website. 

5. Your FSA ID (username) will be displayed in green. Note this, and select Return To Login. 

or 

6. If you do not know what email address is linked to your account, select Challenge Questions and enter your biographical information as prompted. Click Continue. 

7. Answer the 3 challenge questions, click Show Text to check your spelling, and click Verify. 

8. Your FSA ID (username) will be displayed in green. Note this, and select Return To Login. 

I don’t remember my password: 

1. Go to WWW.FSAID.ed.gov, and select Manage My FSA ID. 

2. Select Forgot My Password. 

3. Skip to Step 6 if you do not know your email address. Otherwise, enter it, then open your email account in another browser tab. Keep the FSA ID tab open. 

4. If the email address you entered is linked to your account then a secure code from “FSA ID Information” will be sent to that address. Enter this code in the FSA ID website. 

5. Reset your password as prompted. You will be able to use it and your username immediately. 

2. or 

6. If you do not know what email address is linked to your account, select Challenge Questions and enter your username as prompted. Click Continue. 

7. Answer the 3 challenge questions, click Show Text to check your spelling, and click Verify. 

8. You will be prompted to reset your password but will be locked out of your account for the next 30 minutes. 

If you received an email from “FSA ID Information” notifying you that Your Social Security Administration (SSA) match was completed and we were unable to verify your identifiers, then you must log back in to your FSA ID and correct the social security number associated with your account. 

If the website will not allow you to correct your SSN, then an FSA ID is already associated with the correct SSN. Recover your username and password to this account using the security questions tied to it. You must then deactivate the account which contains the incorrect information. 

You will need to call the FSA ID customer support center at 1-800-4FED-AID (1-800-433-3243). A representative will verify your identity and assist you. 

You are not required to provide an email address to create an FSA ID; however, doing so will simplify the process if you forget your username or password. Without an email address you will not receive notifications if someone attempts to recover your credentials without your permission or if there is a problem with your account. 

An email address can only be linked to one account at a time. If your email address was used to create an account other than your own, the person using that address will need to change the email linked to their account first before you can use it for your own. 

If you created a federal PIN in a prior year you can link this to your FSA ID. This will expedite the match process with the Social Security Administration. 

When you use your FSA ID to start a new FAFSA your personal information is automatically pulled from your FSA ID account. If something is incorrect on your FAFSA it may be incorrect on your FSA ID as well. 

Each FSA ID requires the user to have a valid Social Security Number. If your parent does not have a SSN they will not be able to sign your FAFSA. They must print the FAFSA signature page and mail it to the Processor. 

You can sign your FAFSA right after you create an ID but cannot use other Department of Education websites until the SSA successfully confirms your information. 

For additional help with your account call the FSA ID customer support line at 1-800-4FED-AID (1-800-433- 3243). Only the account holder may dial and speak with customer support staff regarding their a FSA ID.