TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — The Florida Department of Education reported a data breach involving unauthorized access to its financial aid website, exposing personal information, including Social Security numbers.
Staff discovered the intrusion at FloridaStudentFinancialAidSG.org on Oct. 19. The department activated its cybersecurity response protocols to stop the unauthorized activity, contain the breach and secure its systems.
It also notified the Florida Attorney General’s Office, as required by state law.
The department is working with the Florida Digital Service and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement. The incident remains under active criminal investigation.
Officials said the breach has not affected current financial aid disbursements, tuition payments, scholarships, grants or student loans administered by the department, and no related delays are expected.
“No, your current financial aid is not at risk,” the department stated.
To help guard against identity theft, the department recommends that individuals monitor their online and financial accounts for suspicious activity, review their credit reports and consider placing fraud alerts or credit freezes with the major credit reporting bureaus. Individuals can also consult Federal Trade Commission resources and request free annual credit reports.
Anyone seeking information or assistance related to the breach can email databreach@fldoe.org.
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