Can an Individual Who Has a Social Security Number Use the Knowledge-Based Authentication Option To Obtain an FSA ID?

No. According to verbal guidance NASFAA has received from the U.S. Department of Education (ED), a student, spouse, or parent FAFSA contributor who has a Social Security Number (SSN) must use that SSN to create a Federal Student Aid identification (FSA ID). The turnaround time using an SSN will not change and can be up to three days, though it is usually quicker than that. That individual cannot use the knowledge-based identity authentication process via Transunion (or another ED-specified entity) when creating the FSA ID just because it is the quicker, real-time option.

If the individual does not have an SSN, they will be directed through the knowledge-based identity authentication process. This will allow anyone, including undocumented individuals, to create an FSA ID.  ED guidance and instructions for using the updated FSA ID process for parents without an SSN is outlined in the December 22, 2023 Electronic Announcement (GENERAL-23-123).

Students (and parents with an SSN) may obtain an FSA ID using the studenaid.gov process.