Create an FSA ID for a Parent with No SSN

Go to: studentaid.gov > Create an Account > Get Started

Fill out your personal information, including your name and date of birth.

A new checkbox will be added under the SSN box/field.

• If you don’t have SSN, you must check the box that says “I don’t have an SSN”.

Create a username and password.

Starting in December 2023, an email address will be REQUIRED for ALL FSA ID Accounts. Each email must be unique to one user. Two users (for example, a student and a parent), cannot use the same email address.

A mailing Address is REQUIRED for ALL FSA ID Accounts, especially if not providing SSN, as it is used to verify identity.

• You CAN enter a foreign address, with no restrictions.
• The only requirement is that you must have a “history” with the address, such as having lived at the address before/currently or owning the property at the address.

You CANNOT use a foreign phone number.

• This includes individuals from the Freely Associated States with non-US phone numbers.
• You must use a US phone number, OR
• If do not have US phone number, leave this field blank

Establish your challenge questions for recovering your account in case your username and password are forgotten/misplaced.

Enable Two-Step Verification

• It is strongly suggested to use an authenticator app: learn more here

• For those without a SSN, you’ll need to answer knowledge-based questions to verify your identity.
• These questions are derived from personal identifiers based on previous FSA ID Creation steps.
  • These questions are derived from personal identifiers based on previous FSA ID Creation steps.
  • These questions are derived from personal identifiers based on previous FSA ID Creation steps.

If you answer all of the questions correctly, your account will be created instantly. Your account is ready for use, and you can start filling out the FAFSA form immediately!

If you do not answer all of the questions correctly, see below.

If you answered one or more of the identity verification questions incorrectly, you must contact the FSA Office at 1 (800) 433-3243

A customer service representative will look up your account and initiate the identity verification process again.

The account holder will receive an email with a case number and instructions for providing the proper documentation for them to verify their identity.

You will be required to provide the following to establish your identity:

1. A Completed Attestation form. This will either be provided in the email once your case is created, or will be available at StudentAid.gov.
2. Proof of identity
   • ONE of the following forms of ID
     • Driver’s License
     • State or City ID Card
     • A Foreign Passport (must be active, cannot use expired)
   • OR, a utility bill AND one of the following:
     • A Municipal ID Card
     • A Community ID Card
     • A Consular ID Card

Once you've submitted your documents, the Federal Student Aid office will send an email confirmation of your identity verification within one to three days, so you can proceed with the FAFSA application without delay

• This should not affect your FSA ID account creation.
• The ONLY known exception is if the individual is in the process of getting a new SSN.

In December 2023 when the FAFSA application opens (specific date TBD).

• Students/parents without a SSN should pay attention to the Warning Checkbox indicating that the individual completing the form doesn’t have a SSN. If they check this box, but they have a SSN, the form will not be completed correctly.
• TransUnion will check and (hopefully) catch any SSN errors after an FSA ID Creation form has been submitted.
• Able to add in settings late, and will have to do a normal SSN verification after which will take standard 1-3 days.

No, ONLY on paper FAFSA.

• No
• But you CAN (still) login with email address if you forgot your username

Yes.

No.

• No
• An ITIN can ONLY be used during the FAFSA application if a parent did their taxes, so the office can pull directly from IRS after consent

No.

• Call helpdesk 1 (800) 433-3243 and open an ID recovery case
• Provide forms of identification to regain access to account

Not fully certain. An “enhancement” may be applied in December.

Has to be active, non-expired.

Common languages first available, with more to be added later.