1. Should I pay for help to fill out my FAFSA?

No, you don't need to. If you apply using FAFSA on the Web at www.FAFSA.ed.gov, you get online instructions for each question, and you can chat live online with a customer service representative. Another source of free help is our online guide,Completing the FAFSA.

Whether you apply online or use the paper FAFSA, you can get free help by calling the Federal Student Aid Information Center (FSAIC) at the telephone number(s) listed below or by contacting the financial aid administrator at your college.

Federal Student Aid Information Center (FSAIC):
1-800-4-FED-AID (1-800-433-3243)
(TTY 1-800-730-8913)


Various websites do offer help filing the FAFSA for a fee. These sites are not affiliated with, or endorsed by, the U.S. Department of Education. We urge you not to pay these sites for assistance that we provide for free.

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2. What is the PIN?

The Personal Identification Number (PIN) serves as your identifier to let you access your personal information in various U.S. Department of Education systems. It's like the PIN you get from your bank that permits you to access your account. The PIN also allows you to sign your federal student aid application online and allows you to correct your application data online.

In the interest of keeping 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.

You can apply for a PIN by clicking here.

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3. Why should I get a PIN?

You can use your PIN to access your financial aid data at these U.S. Department of Education Web sites:

  • FAFSA on the Web website at www.fafsa.ed.gov: Access and complete your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). 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, or

           - add a school code to your FAFSA application.

  • The National Student Loan Data System website at www.nslds.ed.gov: View a history of the federal student financial aid you have received.

  • The Direct Loan Consolidation website at www.loanconsolidation.ed.gov: Your PIN will enable

  • you to track the processing status of your online Consolidation Loan application throughout the entire consolidation process from application receipt to booking with Direct Loan Servicing.

  • Direct Loan Master Promissory Note website at www.StudentLoans.gov: You can electronically sign a master promissory note (MPN) for your Direct Loans.

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4. How will my PIN be sent to me?

It depends. You will select your own delivery method when you submit your request on the PIN site, or while completing a FAFSA on the Web application. Your options include:

  • Select your own PIN (this option only appears when you apply for a new PIN or request to change your PIN).

  • Instantly view your PIN online.

  • Receive an e-mail with the PIN immediately. This e-mail will contain a link to our secure PIN delivery website where you will be able to input your personal data and retrieve your PIN online. For security purposes, this link will be available for only 14 calendar days. If you do not retrieve your PIN within 14 days, it will be mailed to you at the address you provided.

  • Have your PIN sent by postal mail within 7-10 days.

Note: If you don't use the PIN site to apply for your PIN [for example, you apply for a PIN by submitting a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)] you will automatically receive your PIN electronically if you provide a valid e-mail address. If you do not provide a valid e-mail address, we will send you a PIN through regular postal mail.

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5. I lost my PIN. What should I do?

If you have lost or forgotten your PIN, you will need to request that it be sent to you again. If you think that someone else may know your PIN, or you believe your PIN may have been compromised when it was lost, we can generate a new PIN for you.

Click here for instructions for replacing a lost PIN or to request a duplicate of your PIN.

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6. How can I check the status of my FAFSA application?

You can check the status of your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) immediately after submitting it online. You can check the status of a paper FAFSA after it has been processed (roughly 7-10 days from the date mailed).

To check the status of your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA):