If you plan to go to college and want to receive federal financial aid, you must fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). You can submit a FAFSA by mail or online. If you plan to submit the FAFSA online, you must use a personal identification number (PIN) to sign your FAFSA application.
Purpose
The purpose of applying for a PIN before submitting the FAFSA is so you will have a way to electronically sign the FAFSA. A PIN enables you to sign and submit the FAFSA online. This saves time, so you don't have to print off the FAFSA, sign it by hand and then wait for the Federal Student Aid to receive the application in the mail.
Obtaining a PIN
You can obtain a PIN online. The Federal Student Aid website has a PIN application you can fill out and submit. You must enter your personal information, including your name, address and Social Security Number, when completing the PIN application. You can select your own PIN or have a PIN emailed to you.
Features
The PIN consists of four numbers. You may not use letters or more than four numbers to create a PIN. You can create this number on your own or opt to have a PIN assigned to you if you want the PIN to be more random, so other people won't be able to guess it. You will use this PIN in combination with other personal information, including your Social Security number, to electronically sign your FAFSA before submitting it.
Time Frame
According to the Federal Student Aid website, your PIN will expire if it is not used in 18 consecutive months. You can keep your PIN from expiring by accessing your loan account on the Federal Student Aid website, updating your personal information on the Federal Student Aid website or by changing your PIN. If your PIN expires, you must apply for a new PIN.
Warning
Do not give your PIN to anyone else and make sure to keep it private. When you create your PIN, make sure to come up with a number that others will not be able to easily guess. If someone steals your PIN, the PIN can be used to access your private information. If you suspect that your PIN has been stolen, you must disable your PIN on the Federal Student Aid website and contact the Federal Student Aid at 800- 433-3243. You will also have to apply for a new PIN.
Tags: Federal Student, Federal Student website, Student website, personal information, submit FAFSA, before submitting