How To Access and Download Your Federal Student Loan Data File

Step-by-Step Instructions

There are many different reasons you may need to download your federal student loan data text file. Although the process may be a little different on all devices, this walk through should help all users effectively retrieve their federal student loan file from the FAFSA website.

Macs and PC's

Go to www.studentaid.gov

Login with your username, phone # or email address and password

You will be required to verify your email address and phone number

Once you get logged in you will be at your dashboard, it should look like this:

Across from My Aid Click View Details all the way over to the right.

Click Continue— then Save As: Mystudentdata.txt——then click Save

*Hint: Take note of where the text file downloads on your device for easy access when needed.

Getting your loans downloaded on phone can be tricky sometimes, depending on the device. Here are a few tips to make sure your loans are downloaded in no time.

iPhone and Android phones

Open your Google or Safari browser go to www.studentaid.gov

Go through the same login process as before until you see the dashboard.

On the dashboard look to the far right and middle of your screen (you may want to turn your phone sideways), there you see View Details.

Click View Details —— then Download My Aid Data

Troubleshooting Tips

• Try using a different browser (Chrome, Safari, Firefox) if the download button doesn't respond
• Close the "Owl assistant" popup if it appears — it can block the download button
• Note: three failed login attempts will lock your account for 30 minutes

What's in Your Data File?

The downloaded file reveals your complete loan history, including loan status, loan type, school information, servicer details, and months earned towards forgiveness. This information powers the calculator's detailed loan-by-loan analysis.