By MorraLee Keller, Senior Director of Strategic Programming
Reading time: Two minutes
Note: Since this article was originally published, FSA has announced that the Better FAFSA will open by December 31, 2023.
Setting up an FSA ID for every contributor on the 2024-25 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) will be an essential step to accessing the application online. The Office of Federal Student Aid (FSA) held a webinar on November 2 to begin sharing
details about the FSA ID creation process for individuals who do not have a Social Security number (SSN). For those students, parents, or spouses who have SSNs, they should use the current system and get their FSA IDs established now so they are ready when the new FAFSA opens by December 31, 2023.
The new FSA ID process for those without SSNs will launch on the same day as the 2024-25 FAFSA (December 31, 2023). When the updated process launches, it will require everyone (if you currently have an FSA ID or are just creating
one) to have an email address. The set-up process will act very similarly to the current steps and ask people to include their demographic information. The main difference is that they will click a box indicating they do not have a SSN. To help with
the identify verification process, the person will be asked up to four knowledge-based questions provided by TransUnion, the consumer credit reporting agency. These questions may be items such as a previous address, phone number, former employers,
loan amount, etc. If the person correctly answers the questions, their FSA ID will be verified immediately, and they can move directly into completing the FAFSA online.
Individuals who do not provide correct answers on the first attempt will receive an email with instructions for an alternative method to complete their identify verification. That process will require them to complete an attestation form they will be
able to access from the email. Individuals will also be directed to contact the FSA Information Center to initiate the identity verification process, which will result in a case number sent via email and further instructions for submitting the attestation
form and a copy of the items listed below via email.
Submit one of the following forms of current ID:
Driver’s license or
State or city identification card or
Foreign passport
OR submit a utility bill and one of the following:
Municipal identification card or
Community ID or
Consular identification card
(Note: 18 states and the District of Columbia allow people who are undocumented to obtain driver's licenses or state IDs. See them all here).
Within one-to-three days of submitting the proper documents, FSA will send an email confirming that the identity has been verified.
As more details become available, the National College Attainment Network (NCAN) will share with our members. The recorded webinar last week should be posted in the FSA Training Center this week.
You will need to set up an account to access the webinar.
NCAN applauds the efforts of our members in helping everyone get ready to file the FAFSA this year. Please continue to do so using our Better FAFSA resources.
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