Do I Need a New FAFSA PIN Every Year?

Q: Do I need a new FAFSA PIN number every year I go to college?

A: No, you can use your old FAFSA PIN number, but you must complete a Renewal FAFSA every year.

If you wish to receive federal student aid, you must reapply for federal student aid every school year. So your FAFSA needs to be updated every year with your current income information.

However, you can update your FAFSA with your old FAFSA PIN number. You do not need a new FAFSA PIN number unless you lost or forgot your old PIN number.

Because your eligibility for financial aid is based on your income (and that of your family) the Department of Education needs to know how your income situation has changed from year to year.

The good news is that the information you put on your first FAFSA will be saved, so it is easy to make any minor changes that may be necessary.

To reapply after the first year you completed a FAFSA, simply go online to complete a Renewal FAFSA (some of your information will be saved from the previous year).

Go to: www.fafsa.ed.gov

Once on the web site, simply click the link titled Fill Out Your FAFSA and select the academic period for which you wish to receive financial aid.

The renewal application is available for your convenience. A new FAFSA will require you to begin with a blank form. If you prefer to start fresh with a new FAFSA, you are free to do so.

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How Do I Get a FAFSA PIN Number?