How to Recover a Locked or Forgotten FSA ID
Get back into your StudentAid.gov account when you forget your FSA ID or it is locked.
Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) Phone Number
| Phone | (800) 433-3243 |
| Hours | Mon-Fri with some weekend hours; times vary by day and season (see studentaid.gov) |
| Website | studentaid.gov |
USA Customer Care is an independent guide — not affiliated with Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Official website: studentaid.gov. Menus and numbers can change; always confirm on the official site.
Before You Begin
Your FSA ID is the username and password you use to sign and access the FAFSA and StudentAid.gov. If you forgot it or your account is locked, most recovery happens online — a call is only needed if you cannot verify your identity.
What You’ll Need
Have ready:
- The email address or mobile phone you used to create the account
- Your Social Security number and date of birth
- Access to that email or phone to receive a verification code
Step-by-Step
- Go to studentaid.gov and choose "Forgot My Username" or "Forgot My Password."
- Verify your identity by email, text, or your security questions.
- Create a new password and sign in.
- If your account is locked or you cannot verify online, call FSAIC at 1-800-433-3243 to unlock it.
- Keep the email and phone on your account current so future resets are quick.
Faster: Do It Online
Use "Forgot My Username" or "Forgot My Password" at studentaid.gov to reset by email or text in minutes — no phone call needed in most cases.
How to Recover a Locked or Forgotten FSA ID — FAQ
Accounts can lock after several failed sign-in or identity-check attempts. Wait and retry, use the reset links, or call FSAIC at 1-800-433-3243 to unlock it.
No. Each person — student and parent — needs their own FSA ID tied to their own Social Security number and email. Sharing one causes FAFSA signature errors.
Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) Phone Numbers
| Federal Student Aid Information Center (FSAIC) | (800) 433-3243 Mon-Fri with some weekend hours; times vary by day and season (see studentaid.gov) |
| TTY (deaf or hard of hearing) | (800) 730-8913 Same as FSAIC customer service hours |
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