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.
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.
Consent to share the “Married filing jointly” tax information is required from only one tax filer. One parent can use their FSA ID to log in, provide that consent, and sign the FAFSA.
If parents file taxes “Married filing jointly.”
Only one parent needs to create an FSA ID.
Consent to share the “Married filing jointly” tax information is required from only one tax filer. One parent can use their FSA ID to log in, provide that consent, and sign the FAFSA.
Because parents file separate tax returns, consent is required by each parent to share individual tax information. Each parent logs in with their uniquely-identified FSA ID for consent and signature.
If parents do not file taxes “Married filing jointly.”
Both parents need to create FSA IDs.
Because parents file separate tax returns, consent is required by each parent to share individual tax information. Each parent logs in with their uniquely-identified FSA ID for consent and signature.
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.
The custodial parent can use their FSA ID to log in, provide IRS consent, and sign the FAFSA.
If the custodial parent is not remarried.
Only the custodial parent needs to create an FSA ID.
The custodial parent can use their FSA ID to log in, provide IRS consent, and sign the FAFSA.
Consent to share the “Married filing jointly” tax information is required from only one tax filer. The custodial parent can use their FSA ID to log in, provide IRS consent, and answer all parent questions.
If the custodial parent is remarried and files taxes “Married filing jointly” with their spouse.
Only the custodial parent needs to create an FSA ID.
Consent to share the “Married filing jointly” tax information is required from only one tax filer. The custodial parent can use their FSA ID to log in, provide IRS consent, and answer all parent questions.
Because the couple files separate tax returns, consent to share individual tax information is required by both filers – the custodial parent and their spouse. This requires each to log in with a uniquely-identified FSA ID for consent and signature.
If the custodial parent is remarried and does not file taxes “Married filing jointly” with their spouse.
Both the custodial parent and spouse need to create FSA IDs.
Because the couple files separate tax returns, consent to share individual tax information is required by both filers – the custodial parent and their spouse. This requires each to log in with a uniquely-identified FSA ID for consent and signature.
