Creating a StudentAid.gov Account without a Social Security Number

You May Still Be Able to Create an Account and Complete the FAFSA

A Social Security number (SSN) is normally used when creating a StudentAid.gov account, but certain FAFSA participants who don't have an SSN can still create an account.

This allows eligible students and contributors without an SSN to access and complete their required sections of the FAFSA online.

Who Can Create an Account Without an SSN?

You should create a StudentAid.gov account without an SSN only if one of the following applies to you:

You Are a FAFSA Contributor Without an SSN

You may create an account without an SSN if you've been identified as a contributor on a student's FAFSA.

This could include:

A student's parent
A parent's spouse
A student's spouse

A contributor's citizenship or immigration status does not determine the student's eligibility for federal student aid.

You Are a Student From the Freely Associated States

Students generally need an SSN to be eligible for federal student aid.

An exception applies to eligible students who are citizens of the:

Federated States of Micronesia
Republic of the Marshall Islands
Republic of Palau

If you're a citizen of one of these Freely Associated States and need to complete the FAFSA online, you may create a StudentAid.gov account without an SSN.

Important

A student who doesn't have an SSN should not create an account without one unless they are a citizen of the Freely Associated States.

How to Create Your Account

Go to StudentAid.gov and select Create Account.

1. Enter Your Personal Information

Enter your full legal name and date of birth.

When asked for your Social Security number, select the option indicating that you don't have an SSN.

2. Add Your Contact Information

Provide your:

Email address
Mobile phone number, if desired
Mailing address

Use an email address you'll continue to have access to in the future.

Each StudentAid.gov account must have its own email address.

3. Create Your Login Information

Create your username and password and set up the available two-step verification methods.

Save your backup code somewhere secure.

Don't share your username, password, verification codes, or backup code with anyone else.

4. Verify Your Identity

As the final step, you'll be asked to confirm and certify your identity.

You may also be presented with up to four identity-verification questions.

Not everyone will receive these questions.

If you receive questions, you must answer all of them before continuing.

What Happens After Identity Verification?

If Your Identity Is Verified

If your identity is successfully verified, you can begin using your StudentAid.gov account immediately.

If Your Identity Can't Be Verified

You can still immediately access your StudentAid.gov account, but the account will have limited functionality.

If you're creating the account because you're a FAFSA contributor, you can still:

Access the FAFSA
Complete your required section
Provide the required information and consent
Sign your section of the FAFSA
View your StudentAid.gov account Dashboard

You do not need to wait for your identity to be verified before completing your required FAFSA section.

Accounts Without an SSN Have Limited Uses

A StudentAid.gov account created without an SSN may not have all of the functions available to an account created and fully verified with an SSN.

For FAFSA contributors, that's okay.

The account provides the access needed to participate in the student's FAFSA, complete the required contributor information, and sign the form.

Make Sure Your Information Matches the FAFSA Invitation

When a student invites you to participate in their FAFSA, the identifying information used in the invitation needs to match the information associated with your StudentAid.gov account.

Pay close attention to information such as:

Legal name
Date of birth
Address
Other identifying information requested

Using consistent information can help prevent problems when connecting the contributor to the student's FAFSA.

Don't Enter an ITIN as a Social Security Number

An Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) is not a Social Security number.

If you don't have an SSN, don't enter your ITIN in the SSN field when creating your account.

When completing the FAFSA, contributors without an SSN may be asked for an ITIN separately if they have one.

Each Contributor Needs Their Own Account

StudentAid.gov accounts cannot be shared.

If two parents or other individuals are both required contributors, each required contributor needs their own account.

Each person should:

Create their own account
Use their own email address
Keep their own login information
Complete their own required FAFSA section
Sign using their own StudentAid.gov account

Never create an account using someone else's identity or share your account credentials so another person can sign for you.

If You Have an SSN, Use It

If you've been issued a Social Security number, don't create an account using the “I don't have a Social Security number” option.

Create your account using your SSN so Federal Student Aid can verify your information through the Social Security Administration.

If you need to apply for a Social Security number or replace a Social Security card, contact the Social Security Administration.

Visit the Social Security Administration →

Need Help?

Creating an account without an SSN shouldn't prevent an eligible contributor from participating in the FAFSA.

If you're having trouble creating your account or completing the FAFSA, ICAN can help you understand the process and work through the required steps.

Learn More About StudentAid.gov Accounts →
Learn How to Complete the FAFSA →
Schedule a FAFSA Appointment With ICAN →