Create Your FSA ID to Get a Head Start on the FAFSA

The FAFSA application for the 2025-2026 school year is experiencing a delay, and is slated to open to students on December 1, 2024.

Wondering what you can do to prepare? Start by creating your FSA ID! Both students and their parent/guardian will need one, so if you haven’t set it up yet, now’s the time. The FSA ID became a required step last year and it takes about 1–3 days to verify. Getting this done early can give you a head start once applications officially open.

Creating your FSA ID is simple and straightforward! Here’s the step-by-step:

1. Visit the FSA ID Website: Go to studentaid.gov to start the process. Both the student and a parent/guardian (if you're a dependent student) will need to create separate FSA IDs.
2. Create Your Account: On the FSA ID homepage, select “Create Account” to begin.
3. Provide Basic Information: Enter your personal information, including your name, Social Security Number, and date of birth. Make sure everything is accurate and matches your official documents!
4. Choose a Username & Password: Pick a unique username and strong password that you’ll remember. You'll use these to log in to your FAFSA every year.
5. Add Contact Information: Include your email address and mobile number. This info will help you recover your FSA ID if you ever forget it.
6. Set Up Challenge Questions: Select and answer the security questions. These will help verify your identity if you need to reset your password. These are case sensitive, so if you use capitals or don’t use capitals, you’ll want to remember.
7. Submit & Verify: After submitting your information, you’ll receive a confirmation email or text. It may take 1–3 days for your FSA ID to be fully verified.

With your FSA ID ready, you’ll be set to access and complete your FAFSA when applications open on December 1. If you need help, reach out to our Youth & College Support Team; we're always happy to offer support!