Applying

What form do I use?
If you applied for federal student aid for the 2001-2002 school year, you probably will be able to file a 2002-2003 Renewal FAFSA. Renewal FAFSAs are discussed on the next page.

If you did not apply for federal student aid for the 2001-2002 school year, you can apply for federal aid for the2002-2003 school year by completing and submitting the 2002-2003 FAFSA. You may submit a FAFSA:

• through the Internet by using FAFSA on the Web;
  
• by mailing a paper FAFSA;
• by having your school submit your application
  
• electronically (check with your school to see if this
  option is available).
  

FAFSA on the Web.
This is a free U.S. Department of Education Web site where you can complete a FAFSA online and submit it via the Internet. You can access FAFSA on the Web on a computer equipped with Internet capability. The Internet address is www.fafsa.ed.gov. If you have access to the Internet, you should use FAFSA on the Web. FAFSA on the Web submits your data directly to the U.S. Department of Education's Central Processing System (CPS). The CPS will process your application within 72 hours.

If you apply using FAFSA on the Web, help in completing the application is built into the program and at www.ed.gov/prog_info/SFA/FAFSA. You can also contact the toll-free number of Federal Student Aid Information Center with your FAFSA questions.

Who gets a PIN and what is it for?
The Department mailed a PIN to students who applied for aid for the 2001-2002 award year. The PIN serves as your identifier to let you access your personal information in various U.S. Department of Education systems. It's like the personal identification number that you get from your bank that enables you to access your account. Your PIN serves as your electronic signature. You should not give it to anyone.
Because electronic signatures hold the same legal status as written signatures, students and parents of dependent students applying for aid may electronically sign their FAFSA on the Web application by using their PIN. This will allow the student aid process to be completed totally online.

If you are a new applicant and you or your parents do not have a PIN be sure to request one at www.pin.ed.gov. You can request a PIN before completing the FAFSA so that you may electronically sign your application. You can request a PIN as early as your senior year in high school and your parents should request one before you complete the
application. Or, you may first complete the application, request a PIN (this might take a few days), then go back to FAFSA on the Web and electronically sign your application. You will need to provide your name, Social Security Number, date of birth, and mailing address, and submit the request. When the submission has been successfully
completed a confirmation number will appear on the screen. If all the information provided is correct, and is verified with other federal agencies, a PIN will be generated and mailed to you via the U.S. Postal Service. As of January 2002, students and parents will have the option of having their PIN sent by e-mail to them.

You can use your PIN to:

• electronically sign your FAFSA on the Web;
  electronically sign a master promissory note*;
• make corrections to your application information;
  
• access your applicant data records online. You can,
  
• among other things, check your student loan history through the Department of Education's Nationa lStudent Loan Data System (NSLDS) and access your loan account through Direct Loan Servicing;
  
• access your processed FAFSA data from the CPS, including your SAR;
  
• complete your Renewal FAFSA; and
  
• have your parents electronically sign the FAFSA, Renewal FAFSA, and correction forms on the Web.
  

Parents can also sign the PLUS loan application. If you have questions about the PIN process, call 1-800-801-0576.

Electronic submission by your school.
If you want your school to submit your application electronically, which is different than submitting the application via the Internet, you must check with your school or the school that interests you to make sure that it offers this option.

Applying by mail.
If you would like to apply by completing a paper FAFSA, you can get a paper FAFSA from your high school, local library, postsecondary school, or from the Federal Student Aid Information Center at the
address or phone number.

Help in completing the FAFSA is available from our Web site at www.ed.gov/prog_info/SFA/FAFSA

Read the instructions carefully when you complete the FAFSA or the Renewal FAFSA. Most mistakes are made because students don't follow instructions. Pay special attention to questions on income because most errors occur in this area.

You should save all records and all other materials used in completing the application because you might need them later to prove that the information you reported is correct. The process of proving that your information is correct is called verification. If verification is required, and you don't provide the proof the school requests, you won't receive aid from the SFA programs, and you might not receive aid from other sources.

You should make a photocopy of your application (or print out a copy of your FAFSA on the Web application) before you submit it. This way, you have a copy of the data you submitted for your own records.

Go on to Dependents Page 8 - Applying II Page 10 - Special Circumstances Page 11