PIN.ED.GOV Guide
How to use the official U.S. Government FAFSA PIN website
www.pin.ed.gov is the Department of Education's website where you sign up for a Federal Student Aid Personal Identification Number (PIN). Both students and parents use the Federal Student Aid PIN to apply electronically for federal aid and access federal aid accounts.
Students—and parents, if the student is a FAFSA dependent—must apply for a Federal Student Aid PIN before filing the FAFSA. First-time financial aid applicants can apply online for a PIN at www.pin.ed.gov, while returning users can request a duplicate one if needed.
The PIN application does require personal information, including:
- Name
- Address
- Date of birth
- Social security number
After entering personal information, applicants choose either to select their own 4-digit PIN, or to have a number assigned at random. Once the application is submitted, it will take a few days to process and the applicant will then be notified via email when their PIN is confirmed.
When to apply for your FAFSA PIN
Since the FAFSA PIN application process at pin.ed.gov takes a few days to complete, first-time students should apply for their PINs in December, before the FAFSA application becomes available in January.
Using your PIN
The Federal Student Aid PIN allows students and parents to access a variety of federal aid sites in order to:
- File your FAFSA (fafsa.ed.gov)
- View account history (nslds.ed.gov)
- Electronically sign the MPN (studentloans.gov)
- View repayment information (myedaccount.com)
Federal Aid PINs can be changed at any time. Applicants can also request a new PIN, disable a PIN, and check their PIN status all from www.pin.ed.gov.
More resources:
More tips for filing your FAFSA on the official government site fafsa.ed.gov.
Learn more about your FAFSA Pin.
Learn more about FAFSA Dependency Status or take our FAFSA dependency quiz to determine your status.
