FSA ID Problem Solving

This resource is intended to help troubleshoot challenges when it comes to creating and using your FSA ID. If you would like guidance on creating an FSA ID check out this resource. If further support is needed, contact one of our Student Advisors at info@sfstl.org or 314-725-7990.

Make sure the personal information is accurate and matches what is on your Social Security card.
If you are a parent or spouse contributor without a Social Security number, be sure to check the box indicating that you do not have one.
Try deleting the address on the Create an Account page.
Be sure you are using one of the following browsers Mozilla Firefox (Version 68 and above), Apple Safari (Version 9 and above), Google Chrome (Version 76 and above). If you are using any other browser, you may encounter problems.

You are likely seeing this message because someone who previously had your phone number has an FSA ID. You will need to contact the Federal Student Aid Information Center (FSAIC) to verify that you are the new owner of the cell phone number. Alternatively, you can create your FSA ID without using a cell phone number and only entering your email address. The second option will be the quickest. You can return to enter and verify the mobile number at a later date.

Parent and spouse contributors can create an FSA ID without a Social Security number. However, students without a Social Security number are not eligible to file a FAFSA and should not attempt to create an FSA ID. If you have questions about FAFSA eligibility, please contact The Scholarship Foundation for guidance.

Note: The ability for parent and spouse contributors without a social security number to create an FSA ID is a new feature, if you are having trouble creating an FSA ID please contact The Scholarship Foundation for assistance.

All student eligible, who would like to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) should create an FSA ID at least 3-5 days before filing a FAFSA. Eligible students include citizens, legal permanent residents, or green card holders. Additionally, a student spouse, biological/ adoptive parent(s), or stepparent of a student contributor should create an FSA ID 3 -5 days before starting their section regardless of whether the spouse, biological/ adoptive parent(s), or stepparent has a Social Security number.

Any parent who is required to contribute to the student’s FAFSA is required to create an FSA ID. Even if you do not need to create an FSA ID it is not a bad idea to create one for convenience. Below are a few scenarios where both parents are required to create an FSA ID and contribute to a student’s FAFSA.

Biological or adoptive parents are married but filed taxes separately for the tax year required on the FAFSA. This also applies to stepparents.
The biological or adoptive parents are unmarried but live together.
The biological parent recently remarried, and the parent and stepparent filed separate tax forms for the tax year reported on the FAFSA.

An individual cannot have more than one FSA ID since it is linked to your Social Security number. If you do not have access to the email address used to create your FSA ID, you will need to follow the steps outlined below to recover your account.
If you cannot log into your account, you have some options to recover After recovering your account, you may have to wait 30 minutes before you can log in.
- Submit an Account Recovery Request
- Receive Text Message with Document Upload Link
- Upload U.S. Photo ID Using Your Mobile Phone
- Receive Email with Reset Password Link
- Create a New Password and Log In
If you cannot complete either of the above options, you can call 1‑800‑433‑3243. Requests initiated by phone can take 7–10 days to complete.

Application Deadline EXTENDED: May 15, 2024

Application Deadline EXTENDED: May 15, 2024

FSA ID Problem Solving