Your FAFSA PIN
If you're completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) online, you will need a FAFSA PIN. Filling out the FAFSA online is much easier than using the paper version—you can quickly check for errors and correct any mistakes. That's why we strongly recommend you use the online FAFSA form.
What's a FAFSA PIN, and what is it for?
The FAFSA PIN number is a four-digit number that serves as your electronic signature on your FAFSA application. It also lets you access your personal information in various U.S. Department of Education systems.
After you receive a PIN, you use it yearly to electronically apply for federal student aid and to access your federal student aid records online. You must have a PIN to sign your financial aid application electronically or make online corrections.
If you are a dependent student, you and your parents must obtain separate PINs.
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How to get your FAFSA PIN
Visit the Federal Student Aid PIN website at http://www.pin.ed.gov/ for any of the following PIN-related online options:
- Apply for a FAFSA PIN for the first time or request a duplicate PIN
- Check the status of a PIN application
- Update your PIN email and mailing address
- Request that your PIN be changed if it has been compromised
- Update your personal information and profile with the Department of Education
- Re-establish or disable your PIN
- Activate your PIN
Learn more about the FAFSA PIN website.
Important FAFSA PIN considerations
FAFSA PINs are optional if you file the paper FAFSA, but the online FAFSA application requires a PIN. For ease of use and to ensure fewer errors, we recommend filing your FAFSA application online instead of by paper.
Your financial aid PIN will be used for systems like the Department of Education's National Student Loan Database System, which will tell you the status and standing of all your federal student loans. You will also need your PIN to sign your Master Promissory Note (MPN) to receive your federal loans.
If 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, including commercial services that offer to help you complete your FAFSA. Be sure to keep your PIN in a safe place.
If you already have a Federal Student Aid PIN, but have lost or forgotten it, you can request a duplicate by selecting "Request A Duplicate PIN" from the FAFSA PIN website. If you believe your PIN has been compromised, you can get a different PIN by selecting "Change My PIN."
