Your FAFSA PIN...When?

Your FAFSA PIN (personal identification number) is your first step in the college loan process.

There's no good good reason to wait to apply for one.

Even if you're not ready to fill out the application, you will save time by getting it now.

As far as college money goes, it is first come, first served, so saving time is a priority.

To apply, you will need to provide:

• your name the way it appears on your social security card
• your social security number
• your date of birth
• your mailing address and your e-mail address

The quickest and easiest way to apply is online at the US Department of Education website

Why You Need A Fafsa PIN

• go back into your form to check what you wrote

• make corrections to your current form

• renew FAFSA every year

• sign your application electronically

• access your federal loan records

To protect yourself- never give your number to anyone, even if you decide to contract with a service that fills out your FAFSA for you.



Parents of dependent students can get personal identification numbers also. I strongly recommend that they do so. That way, maybe at least one person will remember their number when they need it.

Of course you can always get a duplicate or even a new personal identification number, but it usually takes a day or so to get the email. (And you can only order a duplicate, ONCE.)

You can even disable your number if you suspect that an unauthorized person might have it.

You can allow the Department of Education to assign a number to you, or you can choose your own. But if you choose one that you are are already using for a bank account (Easy to to remember, right?) you do run the risk of having all your eggs in the same basket.