This announcement provides an update on key remaining scope for the FAFSA 2024-25 cycle, including contributors without a Social Security number (SSN), FAFSA Partner Portal, and services available through the Federal Student Aid Information Center (FSAIC).
Identity Validation for Individuals without a Social Security number
In April, the Department announced changes to our system to temporarily allow those without an SSN to immediately access the online 24-25 form after creating a StudentAid.gov account, foregoing the need to have the identity validation process completed prior to a student submitting their FAFSA form. We previously explained that individuals without an SSN would have to complete the validation process before the beginning of the 2025-26 application cycle to avoid being placed in restricted status and being unable to contribute to the form.
The Department is extending this process change into the 2025-26 FAFSA cycle and will not implement any form of restricted status for students or contributors without an SSN. This will continue until the Department both develops:
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A longer-term solution to the manual identity validation process that avoids the delays and confusion associated with the current process; and
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The ability for those without an SSN to utilize the FUTURE Act Direct Data Exchange (FA-DDX) to transfer their tax information into the FAFSA.
There is no adverse impact to a student’s eligibility for federal student aid. Students will receive full access to the aid they are entitled to, and contributors are not required to complete the manual identity validation process prior to aid being disbursed to a student.
Institutions will need to continue to validate the identities of students without an SSN who are citizens of a Freely Associated State as outlined in the FSA Handbook Volume 1, Chapter 2.
The Department will provide updates when available on the development of the longer-term solution and ability for those without an SSN to use the IRS tool.
FAFSA Partner Portal (FPP) Functionality
After careful consideration, the Department will also delay the following FPP features:
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ISIR Request. This feature allows users to request a single ISIR or a specified group of ISIRs from the FAFSA Processing System. The Department anticipates implementing this functionality later in the award year.
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Initial ISIRs: Schools that need to request and load an initial ISIR that does not contain their federal school code may continue to request the Data Release Number (DRN)—which is published on the first page of the FAFSA Submission Summary—from the student to access the record in FPP. The school must then add their Federal School Code and submit the correction to receive the transaction in their next batch file for upload. To ensure that the appropriate state agencies also receive a copy of the ISIR, schools should also correct the student’s state of legal residence, as appropriate. ISIRs will continue to be delivered to state aid agencies based upon the listed State of Legal Residence and Federal School Codes.
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Requesting Missing ISIRs: If an unknown issue occurs that prevents a school or state aid agency from receiving and downloading an individual record in their FTI-SAIG mailbox, they should contact the FPS help desk at 1-800-330-5947 or by email at support@fps.ed.gov.
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Request for Sweep of ISIRs (YTD). All Title IV participating institutions, state aid agencies, and designated scholarship organizations were enrolled to automatically receive ISIRs daily for the 2024-25 cycle. Schools that are approved mid-cycle to participate in the Title IV Programs will only receive ISIRs that are processed after the date their Application to Participate is approved. The Department anticipates implementing this functionality beginning with the 2026-27 cycle.
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ISIR Compare. This feature allows users to compare up to four FAFSA form transactions. While this feature will not be available in FPP, schools may choose to leverage features within their financial aid management systems to view and compare multiple transactions. The Department anticipates implementing this functionality beginning with the 2026-27 cycle.
As a reminder, the Department previously announced that a remaining FPP feature—V4 and V5 Verification outcomes reporting—would be made available later in 2024. We will provide our partners with updates as they become available on the Knowledge Center. For additional information, please see the May 23, 2024 Electronic Announcement (GENERAL-24-63).
Currently, in FPP, users may view and correct processed applicant data. However, the FAFSA Simplification Act requires consent and approval to have federal tax information transferred and used, which prohibits schools from submitting a signature on behalf of a student or their contributors. Institutions are also prevented from submitting a paper FAFSA form into the processing system.
In addition, FAAs cannot update personally identifiable information (PII) attached to a StudentAid.gov account due to restrictions with how FSA systems exchange information. This means that representatives cannot make a correction to the PII associated with an individual’s account on their behalf, even with the consent of the respective student or contributor. Instead, the student or the contributor must correct their personal information if it is incorrect.
Services Available Via the FSAIC for 2024-25 FAFSA Processing Cycle
Contact center representatives are available to aid students and families with completing the FAFSA form and application process, including troubleshooting common issues related to the StudentAid.gov account creation process.
The following services will be unavailable for the 2024-25 cycle but will return in future cycles:
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The ability for applicants to order a paper copy of their FAFSA Submission Summary from the FSAIC will be available beginning with the 2026-27 cycle. Prior to the return of this service, students can view an electronic version of their FAFSA Submission Summary as well as make corrections online by logging in to their StudentAid.gov dashboard. Additional guidance on how students who submit a paper FAFSA can access their FAFSA Submission Summary is being provided in a separate EA.
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The ability of FSAIC representatives to make limited corrections (e.g., adding a school code) has been deferred until the 2026-27 cycle. The student (or their contributor, if applicable) or the student’s college or career school can make the correction until the service is restored.
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The ability to update personally identifiable information (PII) attached to a StudentAid.gov account is unavailable due to restrictions with how FSA systems exchange information. This means that representatives cannot make a correction to the PII associated with an individual’s account on their behalf, as noted above.
Contact Information
Any questions about this announcement should be sent through the Contact Customer Support form link in Federal Student Aid’s Help Center. When submitting a question, please enter your name, email address, IHE, topic, and question. When selecting a topic, please select “2024-25 FAFSA.”