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How do I create an FSA ID and why is it important?

By Amanda Draper, National Content and Social Media Director at NextGenVest Photo by Fabian Blank on Unsplash

Completing the FAFSA is a long process, this article is designed to answer some of your questions about completing the FAFSA. In this post, we will explore what an FSA ID is, why it is important, who needs one, why you need to make on and how you make one. What is an FSA ID?

An FSA ID is a username and password that you must use to log into certain U.S. Department of Education (ED) websites. This ID gives you access to the U.S. government’s Federal Student Aid online systems. Your FSA ID identifies you as someone who has the right to access your personal information on ED websites, like the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®) site at fafsa.gov.

Why do I need an FSA ID and where do I use it?

Your FSA ID can serve as your legal signature for when you complete and submit the FAFSA. Both parents of dependent students and students completing the FAFSA forms need to create their own separate FSA IDs, because you are not allowed to create an FSA ID on behalf of anyone else, including a family member. Both parents of dependent students and students need to create their own unique FSA IDs in order to electronically sign the FAFSA before submitting it electronically. It’s important to understand that the student and the parent may not share an FSA ID, because your FSA ID is your signature, so it has to be unique to you.

Parents of dependent students, if you have more than one child attending college, you can use the same FSA ID to sign all applications, but each child must have his or her own. How can I make an FSA ID?

You can visit the FSA ID website to create it. Make sure that you save your FSA ID, in a safe location where you can easily access it because this is your login information for accessing the FAFSA form, completing and submitting the FAFSA. If you are having your parent(s) help you complete the FAFSA, make sure that you do not mix up your FSA IDs, because this one of the most common mistakes people make when applying for financial aid. If you mix up FSA IDs, you run the risk of delaying your financial aid.  Please note: Each FSA ID user must have a unique mobile phone number and/or email address.

Student: It normally takes approximately 10 minutes to create an FSA ID. If this your first time filling out the FAFSA form, you will be able to use your FSA ID immediately to sign and submit your FAFSA form online. If you have previously filled out the FAFSA form, you may need to wait one to three days for the account verification process to occur, before you are able to use your new FSA ID to renew your FAFSA form and sign it online.

Parent: If your child is required to report parent information on the FAFSA form, you will need to create your own FSA ID in order to be able to sign your child’s FAFSA form online. You can create create an FSA ID here. Parents are able to use their FSA IDs right away. As always if you have any questions about or need help filling out the FAFSA, applying for college, financial aid, and scholarships and more ask your Money Mentor! If you have not already signed up for Money Mentoring, you can sign up here.  You can receive help from your Money Mentor by texting into the NextGenVest.com’s Money Mentor Hotline 646-652-8149. Amanda Draper is the National Content Content and Social Media Director at NextGenVest. Amanda lives and works in Washington, D.C.

Kelly PeelerDecember 10, 2017