As of May 10, the new federal student aid ID (FSA ID) has replaced the old PIN system. The Department of Education says it created this new system to improve security and the customer experience. This system is very important for borrowers. You must have an FSA ID to get access to personal information (such as loan balances) and to sign federal student aid documents, including the application for federal aid (FAFSA).
There are likely to be some growing pains as borrowers get used to the new system. The new FSA ID requires users to select a username and password, which replaces the old PIN as the process to authenticate identity and access federal student aid information.
Here are the main steps to create an ID:
Step 1: When logging in to fafsa.gov, the National Student Loan Data System, studentaid.gov, or other secure websites, click the link to create an FSA ID.
Step 2: Create a username and password, and enter your email address.
Step 3: Enter your name, date of birth, Social Security number, contact information, and challenge questions and answers.
Step 4: If you have a PIN, you will be able to enter it, and link it to your FSA ID. You can still create an FSA ID if you have forgotten or do not have a PIN.
Step 5: Review your information, and read and accept the terms and conditions.
Step 6: Confirm your email address using the secure code, which will be sent to the email address you entered when you created your ID. Once you verify your email address, you can use it instead of your username to log into the websites.
You can use your your FSA ID to sign a FAFSA (application for federal student aid) right away. Once the Social Security Administration verifies your information, or you if you linked your PIN to your FSA ID, you’ll be able to use your ID to access the Department’s secure websites.
Students, parents, and borrowers who have general questions about creating an FSA ID, or who are having difficulty logging in with their FSA ID, should contact the Federal Student Aid Information Center (FSAIC) at 1-800-4-FED-AID (1-800-433-3243). Web chat is also available from the FAFSA.gov “Help” page under “Contact Us.”
The Department says that even though the number of inquiries has been low relative to the number of successful FSA ID registrations and authentications, some of the inquiries have taken longer than predicted to resolve. As a result, customers have experienced longer-than-normal wait times to reach a customer service representative. The Department says it is working to reduce this wait time.
