About AIMS
- What is AIMS?
- Access and Identity Management System (AIMS) is a security
infrastructure used by Federal Student Aid. This infrastructure
provides secure access and single identity management services. AIMS
makes it possible for you to log in once and then access multiple
Federal Student Aid applications during your active session.
Rules/Policies
If you try to access one of the Federal Student Aid systems protected
by the Access and Identity Management System (AIMS), you will be
required to read and accept the Federal Student Aid's Rules of
Behavior. The Rules of Behavior display once per day when you log in
for the first time that day. After reading the Rules of Behavior you
may either select Back to Login or Accept. Clicking Back
to Login ends the login process, so only click Back to Login
if you do not accept the rules of behavior. If you agree to abide by
the rules of behavior, check the check box and click Accept.
Privacy
If you try to access one of the Federal Student Aid systems
protected by the Federal Student Aid's Access and Identity
Management System (AIMS), you are required to read and accept the
Federal Student Aid's Privacy Act Statement.
UserID and Password/Passphrase Questions
- Can I share my user ID and password/passphrase with someone else?
-
No. Your user ID and your password/passphrase are private and are for your
use only and must remain confidential. You must not disclose your
password/passphrase to anyone, including your supervisor and you must take
steps to prevent anyone from finding out your password/passphrase. Sharing your
user ID with another person is a serious violation of security. If
you fail to keep login information confidential, your user ID will
be terminated and you or organization could lose access to FSA
systems.
- Are logon attempts limited?
-
Your FSA ID will be locked after three unsuccessful login attempts.
You must wait 30 minutes before trying to use the same password/passphrase
again. When the password/passphrase is unlocked 30 minutes later, you can try
again or you can select the 'Forgot Password/Passphrase' link at the FSA
Login page and answer the challenge questions. If your answers are
correct, you will be allowed to reset your password/passphrase.
- How often does a password/passphrase have to be changed?
- Federal Student Aid User ID (FSA ID) passwords/passphrases must be
changed every 90 days. Any password/passphrase that is older than 90 days will
automatically expire.
- How will I know to change my password/passphrase?
-
You will see a warning message 5 days before your password/passphrase is set to
expire during your login. This warning message will display a prompt
for you to change your password/passphrase before it expires. You may also
change your password/passphrase anytime using the 'Change Password/Passphrase' link
located on the FSA login page.
- What is the minimum length for a password and what are the
character requirements?
-
- The password must have a minimum length of fifteen (15)
characters and must contain each of the following four types of
characters - English uppercase letters (A-Z), English lowercase
letters (a-z), Westernized Arabic numerals (0-9), and
non-alphanumeric special characters ! @ # $ & *
- The password cannot contain any words that are easily
guessed like dictionary words, names, or acronyms
- The password must contain at least four (4) alphabetic
characters, and
- The password cannot contain three (3) or more identical
characters in a row.
- Example of valid passwords?
- T@#O@$slF@9! -or- !!R#L@ollF@1
- Example of invalid passwords?
- -Password99 -Secret1
- What is the minimum length for a passphrase and what are the
character requirements?
-
- The passphrase must have a minimum length of sixteen (16) characters.
- The passphrase cannot exceed one hundred and twenty eight (128) characters.
- The passphrase cannot contain your first name, last name, or login ID.
- The passphrase cannot contain any words that are system names.
- Example of valid passphrases?
- Y0u shall not pass!!
- Example of invalid passphrases?
- Wh0 is dbadmin tonight!
- Do passwords/passphrases expire?
-
If you have not used your password/passphrase in 90 days, it will automatically
expire and you will be required to create a new password/passphrase. You may
change your password/passphrase by clicking on the 'Change Password/Passphrase'
link from the login page at any time, or by clicking the 'Change
Password/Passphrase' button when prompted from the password/passphrase notification
page.
- What if I forget my password/passphrase?
-
To reset a password/passphrase, select the 'Forgot Password/Passphrase' link at the
FSA login page and answer the challenge questions correctly.
- What if I forget my security questions and answers?
- To update security questions and answers, contact the
application helpdesk you are attempting to access to reset your
password/passphrase. When you receive your new password/passphrase, select the "Edit
Account" link at the FSA login page and update your security
questions and answers.
Access Questions
- How do I gain access to applications behind AIMS?
-
To access NSLDS, FAFSA Partner Portal, SAIG applications, contact your PDPA. If
you are the DPA, contact your PDPA to add or modify your access.
If you are the PDPA, go to https://fsawebenroll.ed.gov
to update your entitlements.
To access eCDR Appeals and Experimental Sites select the 'Registration'
link at the FSA login page and complete the registration process.
For all other system access, please contact the FSA
application specific helpdesk.
- If I have problems logging on, whom can I contact?
- Contact the FSA application help desk you are trying to
access.
FAFSA Partner Portal/SAIG
- FPS Help Desk: 1-800-330-5947
- e-mail: support@fps.ed.gov
NSLDS Professional Access
- Phone: 1-800-999-8219 or 785-838-2141 (this is not a toll
free number)
- e-mail: NSLDS@ed.gov
eCDR Appeals System
- Phone: 202-377-4259
- e-mail: fsa.schools.default.management@ed.gov
Experimental Sites
- e-mail: ExperimentalSites@ed.gov
FSA Partner Connect
- Phone: 1-800-848-0978
- e-mail: FSAPartnerConnectSupport@ed.gov
- If I get locked out by AIMS, can I access the system by
starting from a different site?
-
No. Your user ID will be inoperable and you will not be able to gain
access to any Federal Student Aid systems secured behind AIMS. You
must wait 30 minutes before trying to use the same password/passphrase again.
When the password/passphrase is unlocked 30 minutes later, you can try again or
you can select the "Forgot Password/Passphrase" link at the FSA Login
page and answer the challenge questions. If your answers are
correct, you will be allowed to reset your password/passphrase.
- How do I logout?
-
For the NSLDS FAP website, terminate your session by clicking the
logout link.
For all other systems, click the X at the top right of your
browser window and close all browser windows. This will terminate
your login session.
PIV Card Login
-
PIV login is required for users with a Department of Education
issued PIV card. You must have a Department of Education issued
PIV card. When you click on the PIV image or the "Continue with
PIV" button, you will be prompted with the "Select a Certificate"
windows box. Select your certificate and click "OK". For additional
information, click on the "Need Help?" link below the "Continue
with PIV" button.