how to apply for your PIN

Your PIN can be used each year to electronically apply for federal student aid and to access your aid records online. Once you receive a PIN, you agree not to share it with anyone. Your PIN serves as your electronic signature and provides access to your personal records, so you should never give your PIN to anyone. Be sure to keep your PIN in a safe place.

Step 1: Go to www.pin.ed.gov

Step 2: At this site you may do one of the following:

Apply for a PIN
Check PIN Status
Request a Duplicate PIN
Access My PIN E-mail
Change My PIN
Update My Personal Information
Disable My PIN
Re-establish My PIN
Activate My PIN

Step 3: If you are applying for a new PIN and have clicked the appropriate link, click NEXT to continue.

Step 4: Enter all of your personal information then click NEXT.

Step 5: Submit your PIN application by agreeing to the terms that you will not share your PIN. Click Submit My Application.

Step 6: You will then be asked how you would like to receive your PIN. Choose how you would like to view your PIN and click Submit Request. If you choose to display now, you will receive your PIN right on the screen with a confirmation page that you may print to keep for your records.

PIN information

A PIN is a 4 digit number that is used in combination with your Social Security Number, name, and date of birth to identify you as someone who has the right to access your own personal information on Federal Student Aid Websites, such as FAFSA on the Web.

The security of your PIN is important because it can be used to:

Electronically sign Federal Student Aid documents
Access your personal records, and
Make binding legal obligations

While or after completing a FAFSA on the Web application, you and your parents (if you are a dependent student) will need to sign your FAFSA. We cannot process your FAFSA until we receive your signature(s). Using a PIN to sign your FAFSA electronically is by far the fastest and most reliable way. However, you can print, sign, and mail in a signature page, or provide signature(s) on your paper Student Aid Report (SAR).

Tip: You may use your PIN for the duration of your school experience and beyond. The PIN stays the same.

important note

A PIN is selected or viewed instantly online or is sent to you in an e-mail is considered to be conditional until your information is verified with the Social Security Administration (1-3 days from the date you first apply). You may sign your 2008-2009 FAFSA with it, but nothing else. Once verification is complete, you will be able to use your PIN for other purposes (such as correcting your SAR or accessing other Federal Student Aid websites).