An update of the FAA’s web-based Integrated Airman Certificate and Rating Application (IACRA system should reduce the processing time involved in acquiring a student pilot certificate from two weeks to less than a week by making a temporary, printable certificate available after a short interval for security vetting. The temporary tickets will be valid for 120 days, during which time the permanent student pilot certificate should arrive.
Source: aopaFAA revises system for issuing student pilot certificates