Sign without a pen.
Thanks to the Internet, applying for college financial aid is easier than ever. You can apply for financial aid online using the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). With a PIN, you can even electronically sign the document. A PIN is a four-digit number assigned by the federal government. It stays with you throughout life, and you can use it to sign your financial aid documents every year. The government has created a special website with the sole purpose of helping you through the PIN application process.
Instructions
1. Go to pin.ed.gov online and look at the toolbar on the right side. Find the link entitled "Apply for a Pin" and click it, which takes you to an overview page with general information about the application process.
2. Enter your personal information. This includes Social Security number, first and last name, middle initial, and birth date, address, and email information.
3. Select a challenge question from the drop-down menu and provide an answer. Make sure you provide an answer you can remember, as you may need to use this information to log in at a later date.
4. Create your own four-digit PIN number if you wish. If not, skip this step and submit your PIN application.
5. Retrieve your PIN after the government sends it to the email address you provided. This could take a day or two. Keep the number in a safe place, as it will stay with you throughout your college career.
Tags: application process, four-digit number, provide answer, with throughout