The Department of Education announced it will maintain its temporary policies for applications without a SSN to access the 2024-25 FAFSA form until it can resolve the underlying issues with secondary identity verifications. There are also major updates regarding delayed functionalities for the FAFSA Partner Portal (FPP) and services that will be unavailable through the FSAIC until the 2026-27 academic year. Here is an overview of what to expect:
Extended flexibility for Applicants without a SSN
- Individuals without a SSN will still have immediate access to the 2024-25 FAFSA form and must enter their tax information manually
- These changes are extend through 2025-26 and applicants will not be restricted as a result
- The Department is working toward a solution to the manual identity validation process to avoid further confusion and creating a way for those without SSNs to access the FUTURE Act Direct Data Exchange (FA-DDX) to transfer information
Delayed FAFSA Partner Portal Features
- 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
- Request for Sweep of ISIRs: This feature is designed to streamline the ISIR distribution process to Title IV participating institutions, scholarship organizations, and state aid agencies. The Department anticipates implementing this functionality beginning with the 2026-27 cycle
- ISIR Compare: This feature allows users to compare up to four FAFSA form transactions. The Department anticipates implementing this functionality beginning with the 2026-27 cycle
- V4 and V5 outcomes reporting are scheduled to be released later in 2024
Unavailable FSAIC Services for 2024-25
- Paper request FAFSA Submission summaries (delayed until the 2026-27)
- The ability of FSAIC representatives to make limited corrections (delayed until the 2026-27)
- Personal Identifiable Information cannot be updated by representatives associated with an individual’s account on their behalf due to restrictions with how FSA systems exchange information
For more information on potential workarounds, click here.