Policy - NSLDS Resolution

After submitting the FAFSA, the Department of Education (DE) attempts to match the information provided with what is on the National Student Loan Data System (NSLDS). This is to ensure that the student is not in default on any previously borrowed student loans, is not close to or over aggregate Federal Stafford Loan limits, and a refund on a grant payment received is not due. DE uses the student’s name, social security number, and date of birth to determine the above and list financial aid history on the Student Aid Report (SAR). If the information provided on the FAFSA does not match what is on NSLDS, the record will be flagged. This means the Office of Student Financial Assistance (OSFA) must determine why the data mismatch is occurring, try to resolve it if possible, and then locate the student’s financial aid history on NSLDS to ensure there are no other issues.

When a partial match on the information with NSLDS is reported on the SAR we must resolve the issue before proceeding. If there was a mistake made entering the student’s data on the FAFSA, a correction should be made. This will help ensure fewer problems in the future if other FAFSA corrections have to be made. However, if the student provides OSFA with their NSLDS identifiers (name, social security number, and date of birth) we can continue processing the financial aid application in the meantime.  

In some instances, FAFSA records are flagged for no data, no relevant history or a processing error where financial aid history was not transferred to the SAR. We should be able to resolve the issue without further action from the student.

Rarely, we are obligated to request additional information from the student to help identify them on NSLDS. This may be but is not limited to paperwork showing a legal name change, a copy of the social security card, or a birth certificate, passport, naturalization papers, etc. We will contact the student in writing should any supplementary documentation be needed.