Why do you need an FSA ID?
Your Federal Student Aid ID, or FSA ID, is an identity-verified ID with the Department of Education. An FSA ID is required by each FAFSA contributor to:
- Access the online FAFSA,
- Provide consent to the IRS to share your Federal Tax Information with the Department of Education,
- Electronically sign the FAFSA for submission.
You’ll use this same FSA ID to reapply for financial aid every year and manage the Federal Student Aid you may receive, such as Direct Federal Student Loans. Once created, your FSA ID will be your forever ID for all things related to the FASFA and Federal Student Aid.
You can create an FSA ID at: https://studentaid.gov/fsa-id/create-account/launch.
Who creates an FSA ID?
For a dependent student applying for financial aid, both the student and parent create their own FSA IDs. If the parent or student already has an FSA ID from prior applications, that FSA ID is used this year and every year.
Dependent student with married parents
If the dependent student’s biological or adoptive parents are married, here are the rules for which parents create an FSA ID for the FAFSA.
If parents file taxes “Married filing jointly.”
Only one parent needs to create an FSA ID.
If parents do not file taxes “Married filing jointly.”
Both parents need to create FSA IDs.
Dependent student with separated or divorced parents
If the dependent student’s biological or adoptive parents are separated or divorced and no longer live together, only the custodial parent is required to complete the FAFSA. However, if the divorced custodial parent is remarried, they must include their spouse on the application. Refer to rules on how to determine who is the custodial parent.