Federal Student Aid
For information from the U.S. Department of Education on preparing for and funding education beyond high school, visit our site. It is also your source for information from the U.S. Department of Education about how to manage your student loans and for accessing your Financial Aid history. The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) can be completed at this site as well as Direct Loan Entrance and Exit Counseling. This is also where you will go to sign a Master Promissory Note (MPN).
The National Student Loan Data System (NSLDS) is the U.S. Department of Education’s (ED’s) central database for student aid. NSLDS receives data from schools, guaranty agencies, the Direct Loan program, and other Department of ED programs. NSLDS Student Access provides a centralized, integrated view of Title IV loans and grants so that recipients of Title IV Aid can access and inquire about their Title IV loans and/or grant data.
Students can find information about all of their student loans by accessing their Student Aid Dashboard at StudentAid.gov or by calling the Student Loan Support Center at (800) 557-7394. Log into StudentAid.gov by using your FSA ID.
Federal Student Aid Identification (FSA ID)
The FSA ID replaces the Federal Student Aid PIN. If you already have a PIN, you can link your information to your new FSA ID by entering your PIN while registering for your FSA ID. (This will save you time when registering for your FSA ID.) However, a PIN is not required to create an FSA ID.
An FSA ID is a username and password that you must use to log in to certain U.S. Department of Education (ED) websites (including logging in to your FAFSA). Your FSA ID identifies you as someone who has the right to access your own personal information on ED websites.
If you are a parent of a dependent student, you will need your own FSA ID if you want to sign your child’s FAFSA electronically. If you have more than one child attending college, you can use the same FSA ID to sign all applications. Please note: Each FSA ID user must have a unique e-mail address.
Your FSA ID is used to sign legally binding documents electronically. It has the same legal status as a written signature. Don’t give your FSA ID to anyone—not even to someone helping you fill out the FAFSA. Sharing your FSA ID could put you at risk of identity theft!