The PIN:

The Federal Personal Identification Number or Federal PIN is a four digit code given out by the Department of Education.  All students completing a FAFSA need to apply for a PIN. If a student is dependent, both the student AND the parent must apply for a PIN to sign the FAFSA. The PIN is a personal identifier, therefore a parent will only need one PIN to sign the FAFSA's of multiple dependent children. Once a PIN has been assigned it will expire after 18 months of non-use. 

Students and parents are encouraged to apply for a PIN before completing the FAFSA on the Web application.  If a PIN has not been received before completing the FAFSA, there may be processing delays on the FAFSA application.

Uses for the PIN :

The PIN is used to sign the FAFSA electronically each year. It is also used to electronically sign Master Promissory Notes (MPN), review and correct information on the student’s Student Aid Report (SAR), print a copy of the SAR, reapply for student aid every year, and view information about federal loans and grants the student has received.

To Apply for a PIN:

To apply for a PIN, visit www.pin.ed.gov and click “Apply for a PIN.”  Select “Next” and fill in your personal information, your home address, and your  email address, select a challenging question, and provide an answer phrase.  A PIN will be emailed within 1-3 days of applying.  If an email address is not available, the Department of Education will mail a PIN within 7-10 days.

If you lose your PIN you can re-apply for a new PIN or request a duplicate at www.pin.ed.gov.