To protect students and federal financial aid programs from fraud, financial aid offices may require students to verify their identity. This means providing a valid, non-expired, government-issued photo ID (like a driver’s license or a state ID). This is a separate process from an unaccompanied homeless youth determination.

Steps to take if you’re selected for an ID verification

If you have an unaccompanied homeless youth determination, or are working on getting a determination, you may still be selected for this ID verification. These are two separate processes for financial aid. 

If you are selected for identity verification, you will need to provide the financial aid office with a valid, non-expired, government-issued photo ID before you can receive financial aid. There are a few ways to provide your ID. 

1. In Person: You may appear in person with a financial aid administrator. They will make a copy of your ID for their records. 
2. *Video Call: If you cannot appear in person, you may verify your ID through a video call. You will need to hold your ID up to the camera. The school may decide to either take a screenshot of your ID on the video call, or they may request you send a copy of your ID in the mail. 

*Not every institution is implementing the video call option. If you are not able to appear in person, ask your FAA office if they allow a video call to verify ID. 

3. Notary: If you cannot appear in person, you may verify your ID with a notary. You will need to mail in a copy of your ID to the financial aid office along with a certification from the notary you appeared before and confirmed your ID with. 
4. Vendor (uncommon): You may verify your ID with a vendor that is compliant with the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) ID Assurance level 2. 

If you are selected for verification, contact your school’s financial aid office to ask what options may be available to you. Your ID will have to be verified before you can receive financial aid. 

What happens if I get selected for ID verification after my aid has already paid?

If your financial aid has already been paid for the semester, and then you are selected to verify your ID, this will be considered an “overpayment.” This means your financial aid will be pulled back and you may owe a balance, even if your financial aid had already covered your tuition and fees. 

If you are selected to verify your ID after your financial aid has been paid, it is important to make sure you verify your ID with the financial aid office as soon as possible. Once this requirement is resolved, your financial aid office should be able to pay your financial aid back into your account. 

Our team breaks down FAFSA ID verification and the latest 2026 updates with these quick explainers.

Need help getting an ID?

If you need help getting an ID, call the I AM HERE: Vital Document Legal Hotline for Youth, created in partnership by the National Network for Youth and Baker McKenzie.

Every state has different requirements and processes to apply for or request a copy of an ID. Some states, including Alabama, California, Florida, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Texas and Virginia, have laws that allow youth experiencing homelessness to obtain a driver’s license and other documents for free. Visit this page for more information.

Below is a list of official state and DC government websites where residents can apply for a state-issued ID card or REAL ID. 

• Alabama – alabama.gov   
• Alaska – alaska.gov 
• Arizona – az.gov 
• Arkansas – arkansas.gov 
• California – ca.gov 
• Colorado – colorado.gov 
• Connecticut – ct.gov 
• Delaware – delaware.gov 
• District of Columbia – dc.gov 
• Florida – myflorida.gov 
• Georgia – georgia.gov 
• Hawaii – hawaii.gov 
• Idaho – idaho.gov 
• Illinois – il.gov   
• Indiana – in.gov 
• Iowa – iowa.gov 
• Kansas – ks.gov 
• Kentucky – kentucky.gov 
• Louisiana – louisiana.gov 
• Maine – maine.gov 
• Maryland – maryland.gov 
• Massachusetts – mass.gov 
• Michigan – mi.gov 
• Minnesota – minnesota.gov 
• Mississippi – ms.gov   
• Missouri – missouri.gov 
• Montana – montana.gov 
• Nebraska – ne.gov 
• Nevada – nevada.gov 
• New Hampshire – newhampshire.gov 
• New Jersey – newjersey.gov 
• New Mexico – newmexico.gov 
• New York – ny.gov 
• North Carolina – northcarolina.gov 
• North Dakota – northdakota.gov 
• Ohio – ohio.gov    
• Oklahoma – oklahoma.gov 
• Oregon – oregon.gov 
• Pennsylvania – pa.gov   
• Rhode Island – rhodeisland.gov 
• South Carolina – southcarolina.gov 
• South Dakota – sd.gov 
• Tennessee – tennessee.gov 
• Texas – texas.gov 
• Utah – utah.gov 
• Vermont – vermont.gov 
• Virginia – virginia.gov 
• Washington – washington.gov 
• West Virginia – wv.gov 
• Wisconsin – wi.gov 
• Wyoming – wy.gov