Pin FAQ's
- What is the PIN?
- Do I need a PIN?
- Who is eligible to receive a PIN?
- How do I request my PIN and how long does it take to receive?
- Can I receive My PIN electronically?
- How do I Activate my PIN?
- Where can I use my PIN?
- What should I do if I lose or forget my PIN?
- What should I do if I suspect someone else knows my PIN?
- Does my PIN expire?
- How do I change my Last Name?
What is the PIN?
The PIN serves as your identifier to let you access your personal information in various U.S. Department of Education systems. It's like the Personal Identification Number that you get from your bank that enables you to access your account. Because your PIN serves as your electronic signature, you should not give it to anyone.
Do I need a PIN?
You need a PIN in order to perform any of the following tasks:
- Electronically sign the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) on the Web, Renewal FAFSAs on the Web, or FAFSA Corrections on the Web.
- View the status of a submitted FAFSA application on FAFSA on the Web's Status Check.
- View the results of a processed FAFSA application on FAFSA on the Web's Student Access.
- Access your Federal Student Aid information on the National Student Loan Data System (NSLDS) Web site.
- Access Direct Loan Entrance and Exit Counseling.
- Make address corrections to a Direct Loan account, calculate a repayment schedule, and get interactive counseling on deferment or forbearance for any Direct Loans on the Direct Loan Servicing Web site.
- Track the processing status of your online Consolidation Loan application throughout the entire consolidation process from application receipt to booking with Direct Loan Servicing.
- Make updates to the e-mail or mailing address where your PIN can be sent.
- Print a copy of your Student Aid Report (SAR).
Who is eligible to receive a PIN?
Anyone who has a valid Social Security Number and is a U.S. Citizen or eligible Non-Citizen may apply for a PIN.
How do I request my PIN and how long does it take to receive?
If you are a new user and do not have a PIN, but would like to apply for one, select "Apply For A PIN" from the menu list on the left side of the PIN Home Page.
If you don't know your PIN and would like a duplicate copy, select "Request a Duplicate PIN" from the menu bar on the PIN Home Page.
If you have lost your PIN, select "Request a Duplicate PIN" from the menu on the PIN Home Page. If you think your PIN has been compromised, select "Change My PIN" from the menu on the PIN Home Page.
If you would like to have your PIN sent to a different address, or you would like to update your first name, you can select "Change My Address" on the PIN Home Page. The PIN e-mail or mailing address is the address where we send your PIN.
It will take approximately 1-3 business days after you request your PIN for you to receive an e-mail notification with instructions on how to retrieve it electronically, or 7-10 days to receive it in the mail via the U.S. Postal Service.
Can I receive My PIN electronically?
Yes. If you would like to have your PIN delivered to you electronically, you will need to provide a valid e-mail address during the PIN request process.
How do I Activate my PIN?
Before you are able to use your PIN you must activate the PIN. To activate the PIN you must provide a Challenge Response and agree to the terms and conditions.
Where can I use my PIN?
You can use your PIN at these U.S. Department of Education Web sites:
- www.fafsa.ed.gov
- www.nslds.ed.gov
- www.dlservicer.ed.gov
- www.loanconsolidation.ed.gov
- dlenote.ed.gov
What should I do if I lose or forget my PIN?
If you have lost or forgotten your PIN you will need to request a duplicate PIN be sent to you. You can request a duplicate PIN by selecting "Request a Duplicate PIN" from the menu list on the PIN Home Page.
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. Select "Change My PIN" from the menu list on the left side of the PIN Home Page.
What should I do if I suspect someone else knows my PIN?
If you think that someone else may know your PIN, or you believe your PIN has been otherwise compromised, we can generate a new PIN for you and send it to you via the U.S. Postal Service or e-mail. To request a new PIN be sent to you, select "Change My PIN" from the menu list on the PIN Home Page.
Does my PIN expire?
Your PIN will expire if it has been inactive for 18 consecutive months. Each time you perform one of the following actions with your PIN, the expiration date for your PIN will be changed to 18 months from the date of the action.
- Authenticate using your PIN
- Request a Dupliate PIN
- Update information associated with your PIN
- Change your PIN
Expiration of PINs began in July 2006. If your PIN expires, you will need to reapply for a PIN. To reapply for a PIN, select the "Apply for a PIN" option on the PIN home page.
How do I change my Last Name?
Currently there is no way to make a change to the last name we associate with your PIN. If you have changed your last name, you need to apply for a new PIN.
If your records still use your old last name, you will have to use your old PIN and last name to access those records.
When applying for a PIN we will send your name, date of birth, and Social Security Number (SSN) to the Social Security Administration (SSA). If the information you provide does not match with the SSA, you will not be able to receive a PIN. Therefore, you should make sure that your new last name is already changed with the Social Security Administration before applying for a new PIN.