STEP ONE: APPLY FOR TWO PIN #S
1. In December, go online to www.pin.ed.gov and click on “Apply for Pin” on the left side column.
2. Click on the box that says “Next”.
3. In order to apply you will need to have:
a. Social Security Number
b. First Last and Middle Initial (if you have one)
c. Birthday
d. Address
e. Email address- if you do not have an email address, either make a free one at gmail or hotmail or use minemailto:helene.kessler@palmbeachschools.org
f. Answer a challenge question for security.
g. Pick your own four digit number for your pin- use something familiar- birthdate (0911), address, first or last digits of social security
4. Click on the box that says “Next”
5. Click on the “Agree” circle
6. Click the “Submit My Pin Application” button at the bottom
7. Print the confirmation page that appears
After applying for your pin with this information, click off and click back on to the website with your parent’s information and repeat the procedure. These pin numbers will serve as your electronic signatures on the FAFSA later on. These pins will be mailed to you several days after you apply. If you have used my email address in the form, you must come into the College/Career Center to pick up the pin numbers that you applied for. Bring with you the SS#s, birthdays, etc.
8. If your parents have applied for financial aid before with another sibling, your parent already has a pin number. Go to the website and ask for a duplicate if your parent can’t remember the pin he or she already has been assigned. You only get one!!!
9. After you retrieve the pin numbers from your email account, be sure to print them out and put them in a safe place. Those will be your pin numbers throughout the next 4 years. Both of the pin numbers will be required in order to sign your FAFSA form.
STEP TWO
Download the worksheet for 2013-2014 (the first year you will be in college) on the website www.fafsa.ed.gov (also available in Spanish) You will need your W-2 forms before completing. Start to fill out worksheet with parents. Some items refer to the student, some items are for parents. You can estimate your income for 2012 for the FAFSA and later on correct it after you file your income taxes. Filing your FAFSA close to January 1, 2013 assures you the maximum financial aid available to your family. Do not delay in this process. Some schools have deadlines for filing. Indicate on the online FAFSA the colleges to which you are applying.
Transfer worksheet over to the online form, sign with the two pin #s and submit. A few days afterward, check your status online at the FAFSA website to see if all was submitted properly or if a problem exists. You will need your pin number to access this information.
If you have any special issues you may call 1 (800) 4 FED AID for live help or contact the financial aid administrator at the schools from which you are requesting financial aid.
DO NOT USE WWW.FAFSA.COM !!!! THIS WEBSITE WILL CHARGE YOU TO FILE THE FAFSA FORM. REMEMBER THAT THE “F” IN FAFSA STANDS FOR FREE!!!!!
