How to Electronically Sign a FAFSA Application

You can get the status of your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) application much faster if you chose to sign your forms electronically and submit them through the special FAFSA application website. The government actually encourages you to sign your applications in this manner, since it reduces paperwork and the chance that your application will be lost.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

1. Apply for a PIN to be assigned to you if you have never electronically signed your FAFSA or if you have never submitted a FAFSA. You may do this by logging on to the Apply for a PIN webpage at the Federal Student Aid PIN website (see Resources below).

2. Click the "Apply for a PIN" or "Apply Now!" buttons on the Apply for a PIN webpage. This will take you to an instruction page that will let you know what is ahead of you in the application process. It further informs you of what kind of situations will not be resolved by applying for a new PIN, such as if you disabled your PIN at some point and want to re-establish its use.

3. Enter personal-identification information to help the government make sure it is really you. The website will ask for your Social Security number as well as your full name, birth date and several security questions.

4. Submit your application to receive your PIN. This will take you to the next page, which will give you the option to receive your PIN immediately via email or through the mail.

5. Wait to use your PIN fully. Though you will be able to use your PIN right away to sign your application electronically, you won't be able to use it to do anything else until all of your information is verified and your PIN is confirmed. This may take up to 3 days.

Tips & Warnings

• If you've used an electronic PIN to sign your FAFSA before, you will need to use that same PIN each time you apply.
• There are serious consequences for impersonating another person in the attempt to gain financial aid from the government. As stated on the PIN-application web page, you could be fined $20,000, sent to prison, or both.

Resources

• Apply for a PIN on the Federal Student Aid PIN website

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