FAFSA PIN Deactivated

FAFSA PIN Deactivated

Q: Why was my FAFSA PIN deactivated?

A: First be sure that you are entering the correct FAFSA PIN. You may be entering something incorrectly. To use your PIN, you must enter your Social Security Number, name and date of birth exactly as you entered them when you applied for the PIN. And of course, you must enter the correct PIN.

Here are some reasons why your FAFSA PIN may be inactive or deactivated:

1. The Department of Education has not completed their match with the Social Security Administration (SSA) yet. Your PIN is considered to be conditional until your information is verified with the SSA. You may sign a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) with it, but nothing else. Once they complete verification with the SSA (1-3 days), you will be able to use your PIN to access your personal information on Federal Student Aid Web sites.

2. Department of Education records may show that the Social Security Number, name and date of birth you provided on your PIN Application do not match the information on file with the SSA. Apply for a PIN again if you believe you entered incorrect information when you applied the first time. Contact the SSA if you believe their information is incorrect.

3. You previously disabled your PIN. If you would like to use your PIN again, you must reestablish it by selecting Reestablish My PIN from the list of options on the left side of the PIN Home Page.

4. While trying to use your PIN, you entered it incorrectly too many times and your PIN has been deactivated. You must reestablish it by selecting Reestablish My PIN from the list of options on the left side of the PIN Home Page.

5. Your PIN has been permanently deactivated because you entered an incorrect Challenge Answer too many times. You must now apply for a new PIN by selecting Apply For A PIN from the list of options on the left side of the PIN Home Page.

6. You have not activated your PIN yet. If you do not use the PIN site to apply for your PIN (for example, you apply for a PIN by submitting a FAFSA4caster or a paper FAFSA), you must activate your PIN by selecting a Challenge Question and Answer and agreeing to the terms and conditions of the PIN. To activate your PIN, select Activate My PIN from the list of options on the left side of the PIN Home Page.

7. You have not used your PIN for 18 months or more. After 18 consecutive months of non use, your PIN expires. You must apply for a new PIN by selecting Apply For A PIN from the list of options on the left side of the PIN Home Page.