As previously stated, FAFSA on the Web applicants don't need to have a PIN to apply. Without a PIN, they can print out a signature page. However, we strongly suggest using a PIN, as it will result in a faster processing turnaround. If you apply without a PIN, but provide your e-mail address on your FAFSA on the Web application, you will receive an e-mail with a link to a Web page where you can obtain your PIN. If you do not provide your e-mail address, you will receive a PIN mailer, which is a paper document mailed to the student's permanent mailing address. This document will contain your PIN.

We suggest you apply for a PIN several days to 10 days (or sooner) prior to completing the FAFSA of the Web application. This will allow enough time for you to receive your PIN e-mail with the link or PIN mailer in advance of using it to complete and submit your application electronically. If you have any questions about the PIN process, you should either visit the PIN Web site at www.pin.ed.gov or call the Federal Student Aid Information Center at 1-800-4-FED-AID (1-800-433-3243).

If you applied previously

If you applied for aid in 2004-05, you might not have to complete an entire FAFSA for 2005-06. Instead, you might be able to use a Renewal FAFSA, which is available both on the Web at www.fafsa.ed.gov and on paper. The Renewal FAFSA is pre-filled with data that usually hasn't changed from the previous year (such as the demographic information). Financial information that typically changes from year to year (adjusted gross income, taxes paid, asset information, etc.) is not pre-filled and will need to be added. Certain renewal applicants will automatically receive PINs:

• Graduate students and fifth-year undergraduates
• Students who filed using FAFSA on the Web or Corrections on the Web in 2004-2005
• All other eligible students whose schools have not requested paper Renewal FAFSAs to be mailed.