Access and Identity Management FAQ

Browse frequently asked questions and answers regarding Access and Identity Management on FSA Partner Connect.

Yes, this is the same FSA User ID that is used to log into FAFSA Partner Portal (FPP), NSLDS® Professional Access, eCDR Appeals System, COD Online, and other FSA Systems.

If you forget your password, you can click the “Forgot Password” link on the login page. To reset your password, you must correctly answer the challenge questions. If you forget your FSA User ID, click the “Forgot User ID” link on the login page and enter your email address. For password assistance, you can also contact the FSA Partners & School Relations Center at 1-800-848-0978.

An FSA User ID is a personal username used for accessing the Federal Student Aid (FSA) systems, which are protected by the Access and Identity Management System (AIMS). Both an FSA User ID and password are required to log in to FSA Partner Connect. If you are a new user, your FSA User ID will be sent to you via email after you have been granted access to Partner Connect. For information on maintaining an FSA User ID (EA ID: GENERAL-21-44), visit: https://fsapartners.ed.gov/knowledge-center/library/electronic-announcements/2021-07-15/reminder-maintaining-access-federal-student-aid-systems-professional-users-ea-id-general-21-44

Access and Identity Management System (AIMS) is a security infrastructure used by Federal Student Aid. This infrastructure provides secure access and single identity management services. AIMS makes it possible for you to log into Partner Connect and other Federal Student Aid systems by providing an FSA User ID, password, enabled with Two-Factor Authentication (TFA).

For guidance on registering a two-factor authentication token (GENERAL-22-81), visit: https://fsapartners.ed.gov/knowledge-center/library/electronic-announcements/2022-11-02/tfa-information-soft-token-instructions

Your FSA User ID will be locked after three unsuccessful login attempts. You must wait 30 minutes before trying to use the same password again. When the password is unlocked 30 minutes later, you can try again or you can select the 'Forgot Password' link at the FSA Login page and answer the challenge questions. If your answers are correct, you will be allowed to reset your password.

Your Federal Student Aid (FSA ID) password/passphrase must be changed every 90 days. If it is not updated within that time, it will automatically expire.

To help you stay on track, a warning message will appear 5 days before expiration when you log in. This message will prompt you to update your password/passphrase. You can also change it at any time by clicking the "Change Password/Passphrase" link on the FSA login page.

Partner Connect is bringing a lot of improvements but users will still need to maintain specific system access by logging in at least once every 90 days. If a user does not access a specific system for 90 calendar days, FSA will disable the user's access to that system. The number of days of inactivity is unique to each system the user is authorized to access.