Step 1- All students and parent(s) of dependent students, should request a Personal Identification Number (PIN) from the US Department of Education web site at http://pin.ed.gov/. You should request a PIN as soon as possible.

Step 2- After receiving your PIN(s), be sure to store it in a safe place and be ready to use it throughout the application and eligibility process. Remember, you only have to request a PIN once, and you can use the same PIN throughout the application process and even in future award years. Even so, if you ever lose or forget your PIN, you can always request another.

Step 3- Use your PIN to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) on-line as soon as possible after January 1, 2006 (after federal tax returns have been completed). The priority deadline is March 15, 2006. Remember, applicants who apply by the Priority Deadline receive first consideration.

Tip: It’s a good idea for all new students to use the on-line FAFSA process from the beginning as described above. Paper versions of the FAFSA are still available at high school guidance offices and financial aid offices, but this process is slower, more prone to mistakes, and is on its way to being eliminated as an application option.

Step 1- If you have not requested a Personal Identification Number (PIN) and applied on-line in the past, it’s time to do so. All students and parent(s) of dependent students should request a PIN from the US Department of Education web site at http://pin.ed.gov/. If you already have the necessary PIN(s), you are ready to go to step two below.

Step 2- After receiving your PIN(s), be sure to store it in a safe place and be ready to use it throughout the application and eligibility process. Remember, you only have to request a PIN once, and you can use the same PIN throughout the application process and even in future award years. Even so, if you ever lose or forget your PIN, you can always request another.

Step 3- Use your PIN to access your personal Renewal Application from the federal web site. Some applicants from last year may not have an on-line renewal application for a variety of reasons. If not, it’s okay to use the initial application process described under the New Student Section above.

Tip: It’s a good idea for all continuing students to use the on-line Renewal Application process from the beginning. Paper versions of the FAFSA and Renewal Application are still available, but this process is slower, more prone to mistakes, and may be eliminated as an application option in the future. While some paper Renewal Applications are still being mailed directly to some students by the federal government, the same application can be completed on-line by following the steps outlined above.

Some students and parents have told the federal processor they are not receiving their PIN E-mails and E-mail Notifications of SAR Processing. The following possibilities explain why an e-mail from the U.S. Department of Education may not reach a user's e-mail inbox.

Bulk Mail Folders - Some e-mail accounts include a "bulk mail folder" or a "junk mail folder." The e-mail is sometimes perceived as unsolicited mail and directed into these folders. Students should check all folders in their e-mail accounts to determine if this has happened. Some e-mail providers may require an e-mail address to be listed in an e-mail address book before allowing delivery to the user's inbox. To ensure that the e-mail is delivered to the user's inbox, enter the originating e-mail address, cpsnotify@cpsemail.ed.gov, in the e-mail account's address book.