Education Department Added Identity Checks to FAFSA

The federal government implemented new security measures to combat fraud in the 2027-28 financial aid cycle.

Updated on Oct. 13, 2026 in Financial Aid

Isometric editorial illustration of a large padlock positioned above a simplified university gatehouse, symbolizing secure financial aid verification processes. — The Education Department has launched new identity screening tools for FAFSA applicants, aiming to reduce fraudulent student aid claims nationwide. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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As of the September 2026 opening of the 2027-28 FAFSA cycle, the Department of Education launched identity screening tools for applicants. These measures aim to stop the use of stolen identities to obtain student aid.

Why it matters

The Education Department is attempting to prevent fraudsters from using stolen identities to collect student aid. Congress is now considering legislation to codify these identity verification requirements into law.

The agency screened 300,000 applications during a one-time verification project. This accounts for roughly 1.7% of the 18 million FAFSA applications typically filed in an annual cycle.

The players

Department of Education

This federal executive department is responsible for managing student financial assistance programs in the United States.

Congress

This legislative branch of the federal government holds the power to create laws and regulate national programs.

The details

Screening tools now flag high-risk applications based on indicators such as virtual private network activity and suspicious keystroke patterns. Applicants marked as highest-risk face immediate rejection, though schools retain the ability to override flags following in-person identity verification with government-issued documentation.

Real-time screening for FAFSA applications began in late April 2026.
The 2027-28 FAFSA application cycle opened in September 2026.

Culture Shift

The implementation of identity checks marks a departure from the historical reliance on self-reported data within the FAFSA. This shift reflects a broader societal movement toward increased digital security verification to combat large-scale identity theft.

Students flagged as high-risk may face significant delays or the need to present birth certificates and Social Security cards at their college to secure aid. Those flagged as highest-risk will need to resolve their application status quickly to avoid immediate rejection.

The takeaway

Students should ensure their application information is accurate and matches official government documentation to avoid triggering automated fraud flags. Maintaining clean digital habits during the application process can help minimize the risk of being incorrectly flagged for additional verification.