The Federal Student Aid Personal Identification Number (PIN)

The PIN is an identifier that allows you to access your personal information on various US Department of Education) online systems.

Requesting a Federal Student Aid PIN

Request a PIN at the US Department of Education's PIN Registration Web site: http://www.pin.ed.gov.

Your PIN will be sent to you by e-mail within 3 business days after you submit your request. 

What Can Be Done with a FSA PIN?

As a Direct Loan borrower you will be able to —

• Complete a Master Promissory Note (MPN) online — your PIN serves as a valid electronic signature on a promissory note for subsidized and unsubsidized Direct Loans.
• Electronically sign the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) on the Web, complete a renewal FAFSA, and make FAFSA corrections on the Web.
• View the status and results of your processed FAFSA application on the FAFSA Web site.
• Access your federal student financial aid information on the National Student Loan Data System Web site.
• Make address corrections to a Direct Loan account.
• Make updates to the address where your PIN can be mailed.
• Request a duplicate copy of your Student Aid Report (SAR).

Where the FSA PIN Can Be Used

• FAFSA on the Web: http://www.fafsa.ed.gov
  • Access and complete your Renewal FAFSA
  • Make corrections to your processed FAFSA
  • Electronically sign your submitted FAFSA
  • Request a copy of your processed FAFSA information
• The National Student Loan Data System Web Site where all your financial aid history is in one place: http://www.nslds.ed.gov
• The Direct Loan Servicing Center Web Site for up-to-date account information, loan balances, and payoff information: http://www.dl.ed.gov
• The Direct Loan Consolidation Web Site where you can track the status of your online Consolidation Loan application: http://www.loanconsolidation.ed.gov

The SDSU Password and the Federal Student Aid PIN

There is a difference between the SDSU WebPortal / AidLink password and the Federal Student Aid PIN.  Each electronic personal identifier serves a different purpose—

The SDSU WebPortal and AidLink password:

Used to enter SDSU's WebPortal and to access AidLink for information about your SDSU financial aid file.

The Federal Student Aid PIN:

Used to access information about your FAFSA, Direct Loan, and financial aid history.