PIN Questions

What Is the PIN?

The Personal Identification Number (PIN) lets you find and get your personal information from the U.S. Department of Education website. It's like the PIN you get from your bank for an ATM or debit card. The PIN also allows you to sign your federal student aid application online and allows you to correct your application data online.

To keep your personal information secure, do not share your PIN. You should never give your PIN to anyone. Be sure to keep your PIN in a safe place.

Why Should I Get a PIN?

You can use your PIN to access your financial aid data for these U.S. Department of Education products.

FAFSA. Access and complete your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or Renewal FAFSA (if you applied for federal student aid last year). You can also:
- Submit corrections to your processed FAFSA.
- Use your PIN to electronically sign your submitted FAFSA.
- Obtain a copy of your processed FAFSA information.
- Add a school code to your FAFSA application.
Federal loans. You can also use your PIN to sign your William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan (Direct Loan) or Federal Family Education Loan (FFEL) Master Promissory Note.

How Do I Get My PIN? How Will It Be Sent to Me?

You can apply for a PIN at www.pin.ed.gov. Be ready to provide your:

Name
Social Security number
Date of birth
Mailing address

You'll also select and answer a challenge question. Pick a question you can answer easily because you'll need to answer it to edit your information or request a duplicate PIN.

After your information has been verified with the Social Security Administration's records, a PIN will be created. You should get a response:

Within three business days if you provide an e-mail address.
Within seven to ten days through regular mail.

Note: For dependent students, both the student and a parent reported on the FAFSA should apply for their own PINs.

I Lost My PIN. What Should I Do?

If you have lost or forgotten your PIN, you need to request a duplicate PIN on the PIN website. If you think that someone else may know your PIN or you believe your PIN may have become known by someone else when it was lost, call (800) 433-3243 for a new PIN.