Setting Up or Accessing Your FSA ID

I know there are some students that are just now getting around to the FAFSA form and may be completly in the dark on some of the required steps. In order to file your online Free Application for Federal Student Aid or (FAFSA), you will need a Federal Student Aid ID (FSA ID). If you are a dependent student, you will have to provide parent information on the FAFSA, and one of your parents will also need to get an FSA ID. 

You will need the following information to get an FSA ID:

  • Your Social Security Card 
  • Your Social Security Number 
  • Your Name 
  • Your Date of Birth 
  • A working E-mail address, preferably not your high school or college E-mail address, because those E-mails could be taken away from your access. 
    • EVERY PERSON WITH AN FSA ID NEEDS TO USE A DIFFERENT, VALID E-MAIL ADDRESS. STUDENT AND PARENT CANNOT SHARE THE SAME E-MAIL! 
  • Preferably, have a cell phone, with your working E-mail set up and connected to your cell phone. This will allow you to manage your account with your working E-mail and/or your cell phone number. 
  • A sheet of notebook paper to WRITE DOWN AND RECORD FSA IDs FOR STUDENT AND PARENT. 
  • You will also have to create 4 challenge questions for account recovery. 
  • Parents without an FSA ID could still sign the FAFSA by printing-out, signing, and mailing a parent signature page, but this process takes a lot longer to complete. 
  • Here are some Iowa College Access Network links for help with the FSA ID: 

Ready, Set, Go!
1. To Create an FSA ID: On a laptop or computer, select the website: https://fsaid.ed.gov. Select: Create an FSA ID:

2. Enter YOUR valid E-mail, not anyone else’s E-mail. Confirm the E-mail, and WRITE DOWN THE E-MAIL: For Example: my.email@email.com
3. Create a Username, and WRITE DOWN THE USERNAME: the username is not case sensitive: For Example: myusername123

4. Create a Password, confirm the Password, and WRITE IT DOWN. Note: The password must be between 8 to 30 characters long. You can use any combination of numbers, uppercase and lowercase letters, and/or special characters. For Example: Password123

5. Enter your Name, Date of Birth, Social Security Number, contact information, cell phone number, and challenge questions and answers. Check and double check your Name, Date of Birth, and Social Security Number.

6. The challenge questions are not case sensitive, but they are space sensitive. Try for one word answers: WRITE DOWN THE ANSWERS TO THE CHALLENGE QUESTIONS!

7. Verify your FSA ID E-mail address and cell phone number. This will allow you to manage your account with your valid E-mail address and cell phone number.

8. To Manage Your FSA ID: On a computer, select the website: https://fsaid.ed.gov: Select: Manage My FSA ID:


If you get stuck or need help with your FSA ID, you can cal ICAN at 877-272-4692 and we can walk you through it. And if you need to complete your FAFSA form, we can help with that too. Visit www.icansucceed.org/apt to schedule an appointment at any of our 10 Student Success Centers.


Troy - ICAN Ankeny & Des Moines Centers