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 Questions
- Can I share my user ID and password with someone else?
-
No. Your user ID and your password private and are for your
use only and must remain confidential. You must not disclose your
password to anyone, including your supervisor and you must take
steps to prevent anyone from finding out your password. 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 again. When the password is unlocked 30 minutes later,
you can try again or you can select the 'Forgot Password'
link at the FSA Login page and answer the challenge questions. If
your answers are correct, you will be allowed to reset your
password.
- How often does a password have to be changed?
- Federal Student Aid User ID (FSA ID) passwords must be
changed every 90 days. Any password that is older than 90 days
will automatically expire.
- How will I know to change my password?
-
You will see a warning message 5 days before your password is set
to expire. You may change your password anytime during those 5
days using the 'Change Password' link on the warning
message or 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 twelve (12)
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, specifically (!,@,#,$,&,*);
- The password cannot contain any words that are easily
guessed like dictionary words, names, or acronyms;
- The password must contain at least four (4) alphabetic
characters; and
- The password cannot contain three (3) or more identical
characters in a row.
- Example of valid passwords?
- T@#O@$slF@9! -or- !!R#L@ollF@1
- Example of invalid passwords?
- -Password99 -Secret1
- Do passwords expire?
- If you have not used your password in 90 days, it will
automatically expire and you will be required to create a new
password.
- What if I forget my password?
-
To reset a password, select the 'Forgot Password' 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. When you receive your new password, 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, CPS FAA, SAIG applications, contact your PDPA.
If you are the PDPA, go to https://fsawebenroll.ed.gov
to update your entitlements.
To access eCDR Appeals, Experimental Sites, FPDM applications,
select the 'Registration' link at the FSA login page and
complete the registration process.
- If I have problems logging on, whom can I contact?
- Contact the FSA application help desk you are trying to
access.
FAA Access to CPS Online/SAIG -
- Phone: 1-800-330-5947/TTY 1-800-511-5806
- e-mail: CPSSAIG@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
- 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 again. When the password is unlocked 30 minutes later,
you can try again or you can select the "Forgot Password"
link at the FSA Login page and answer the challenge questions. If
your answers are correct, you will be allowed to reset your
password. What do they need to do?
- 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.