Before you can do anything else, you must obtain an FSA ID, which is an Electronic Signature for both Student and Parent(s) if dependent.

You need an FSA ID when logging into certain Department of Education websites. Create an FSA ID now.

Remember: An email address can be associated with only one FSA ID. Why? The FSA ID electronically signs documents such as loan promissory notes (which establish the binding legal obligation for the loan debt). Therefore, it is extremely important that any communications related to those documents or the FSA ID go to the correct person. 

Similarly, make sure you don’t let anyone else know your FSA ID or create it for you because you’ll be putting yourself at risk of identity theft or — at the very least — not knowing how to sign into your account.

The FSA ID process consists of three main steps:

1. Enter your login information.
   Provide your email address and a unique username and password.
2. Enter your personal information.
   Provide your Social Security Number, name, and date of birth.
   Include your mailing address, email address, telephone number, and language preference. For security purposes, provide and create answers to five challenge questions.
3. Submit your FSA ID information.
   Agree to the terms and conditions.
   Verify your email address. (This is optional but helpful. By verifying your email address, you can use your email address as your username when logging into certain Department of Education websites. This verification also lets you retrieve your username or reset your password without answering challenge questions.)