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December 06, 2024 Update: Update Regarding StudentAid.gov Account Creation for Individuals Without a SSN
As of December 06, 2024, the U.S. Department of Education has announced key updates to the account creation process for FAFSA contributors without Social Security Numbers (SSNs). It includes updates to the manual identity validation process, digital attestation procedures, and the expanded list of acceptable identity documents.
Manual Identity Validation Process Update
The U.S. Department of Education has discontinued the use of the IDVerification@ed.gov email address. As a result:
- Applicants who cannot complete automated identity validation will no longer receive case numbers or manual review instructions.
- Instead, these applicants can proceed with the FAFSA immediately without needing to complete additional steps.
This change simplifies the process and eliminates prior barriers for contributors who cannot validate their identity automatically.
Digital Attestation for Contributors Without SSNs
Beginning with the 2025-26 FAFSA cycle, contributors without SSNs will:
- Complete a digital certification as part of the StudentAid.gov account creation process.
- This digital attestation replaces the previous manual identity validation requirement in most cases.
The digital certification process ensures compliance with federal guidelines while streamlining the experience for users.
Expanded List of Acceptable Identity Documents
To further reduce barriers, the Department has significantly increased the number of acceptable identification documents:
- The list has grown from fewer than 10 options to over 30 documents.
- These additional options will be utilized when manual identity validation resumes through a new secure system, anticipated to begin in the 2026-27 FAFSA cycle.
For a complete list of the expanded acceptable documents, please refer to the full announcement here.