About Your FSA ID
- What is it?
The FSA ID is the username and password combination that you use to access your Federal Student Aid account on StudentAid.gov and sign certain forms and applications electronically. If you have applied for federal student aid, you should have already created an FSA ID.
- How do I log in with my FSA ID?
Go to the FSA log in page and enter your username and password.
- How do I reset my credentials if I've forgotten?
If you think you have an FSA ID (and have just forgotten it), go to the FSA log in page to obtain your username and/or reset your password.
- How do I obtain an FSA ID?
If you aren't sure, check to see if you already have one. Go to the FSA log in page and try to log in. If you don't have an FSA ID, go to the Create Account page to create one.
What You Can Do on StudentAid.gov Without Logging In
You can explore StudentAid.gov to learn more about:
- Types of financial aid
- How to apply for aid
- Next steps after you've applied, to complete the aid process and get your funds
- How to manage your federal student loans
- Different repayment strategies or the impact of changing repayment plans using Loan Simulator
What You Can Do on StudentAid.gov While Logged In
In addition to the activities outlined in the "At a Glance" table above, you can perform the following activities pertaining to student loan repayment:
- View loan servicer details for all your federal loans (Log in to the Great Lakes website for the most up-to-date details.)
- Use your loan information in Loan Simulator to explore and compare various repayment options and strategies, explore your options if you are experiencing financial hardship, or understand the impact of borrowing additional loans
- Apply for borrower defense to repayment
- Use the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Help Tool to generate PSLF and Temporary Expanded PSLF (TEPSLF) forms to request forgiveness, or receive confirmation of whether your loans, employment, and payments qualify
About Your Great Lakes User ID
- What is it?
Your Great Lakes user ID is different from your FSA ID. You use it to log in to mygreatlakes.org to manage your federal student loans serviced by Great Lakes.
- How do I log in?
Click "log in" at the top of any page, or go to the log in page.
- How do I reset my credentials if I've forgotten?
From the log in page, click on "Trouble Accessing Your Account?" and then click on "I need to create a new password or PIN, or retrieve my user ID."
- How do I obtain a Great Lakes user ID?
Click "sign up" at the top of any page, or go to the myGreatLakes Account Sign Up page.
What You Can Do on mygreatlakes.org Without Logging In
You can explore topics on the Knowledge Center, including:
- Student loan tips
- Helpful budgeting advice
- Repayment planning
- Money management
What You Can Do on mygreatlakes.org While Logged In
Expanding on the activities outlined in the "At a Glance" table above, after you've signed in with your Great Lakes user ID, you can:
- See a simple snapshot of your account, including progress on repaying your loan, payments due, and any important actions you may need to take.
- View current loan details, including remaining balance, principal, interest, and status.
- View current payment information, including amount due, due date, and any past due amount.
- Make and manage payments:
- Pay current amount due, amount past due, or a payoff amount on some or all of your Great Lakes-serviced loans
- Set up and manage Auto Pay
- Set up and manage excess payment preferences
- Explore repayment options based on your financial situation. If you can't afford your monthly payments, you should explore your options on this site or contact us right away. The most important thing Great Lakes does is help you get into a manageable repayment plan that leads to the successful repayment of your federal student loans.
- Apply for deferment or forbearance, make standard repayment changes, and apply for changes to income-driven repayment (IDR) plans (if your current income is different from your most recently filed federal tax return).
Where should I go to apply for an IDR plan?
If your current income is consistent with your most recently filed income tax return, you should use StudentAid.gov to apply for an income-driven repayment (IDR) plan. There, you will be able to add your income information electronically to your IDR plan application.
If your income has changed significantly since last year, it may be best to log in to mygreatlakes.org, download the IDR form from our "Forms" section, and upload the completed form and most current income documentation so Great Lakes can process your IDR plan request.
I've heard Great Lakes will not service loans after December 2020—is that right?
No. FSA has a long-term vision to change how student loans are serviced, and in summer 2020, it announced new contracts as part of that vision. Great Lakes will continue to service your loans for the foreseeable future and will contact you directly well in advance of any changes.
At a Glance
In More Detail
StudentAid.gov
mygreatlakes.org
