This Web site explains how to complete the 2005-06 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). It explains the purpose of the FAFSA questions. This site also contains a section that provides answers to several frequently asked questions (FAQs). If you have additional questions about federal student aid or how to complete an electronic or paper application after you review this site, you can call the Federal Student Aid Information Center (FSAIC) at 1-800-4-FED-AID (1-800-433-3243) or contact your financial aid administrator (FAA). You can also go to the Department of Education's Student Aid on the Web site at www.studentaid.ed.gov.

You can complete a FAFSA in the following ways:

• Online (FAFSA on the Web) at www.fafsa.ed.gov
• On paper

In some cases, you might be able to apply directly through your school. You should check with the financial aid administrator at the school you are interested in attending to see if the school will assist you with your application. If you are using either FAFSA on the Web or the paper version, you can use the instructions on this Web site as a guide to help you complete the application process. Throughout this site, the term "FAFSA" refers to both the online and paper version unless otherwise specified.

Applying online is generally faster and easier for two reasons:

• FAFSA on the Web has built-in help to guide you through the application process.
• The schools you list on your application will receive your processed information faster.

If you do not have a computer with Internet access at home, you can usually find online availability at your local library, high school, or a financial aid office at a nearby campus.

Using a PIN to apply and to sign your application

You (and your parent, if applicable) can obtain a PIN. The PIN is an electronic access code number that serves as an identifier. It works much like the personal identification number you get from your bank.

You can use the PIN to apply online and to sign your FAFSA on the Web application whether it is an original or Renewal FAFSA on the Web application. If you are a dependent student (your dependency status is determined through a series of questions: 48-54), one of your parents must sign the application, and that parent can also obtain a PIN to sign the application. That parent must apply for and use his or her own PIN to sign your application. You don't need a PIN to complete an original application, but the Department of Education recommends using a PIN so that you can you can electronically sign the application for faster processing. You will need a PIN to complete a Renewal FAFSA. See the section If You Applied Previously below for further information on the Renewal FAFSA.

You (and your parent, if applicable) can obtain a PIN before you begin the application process by applying at the Department's secure Web site at www.pin.ed.gov. If you provide us with your e-mail address when you apply for the PIN, you will receive an e-mail with a link to a Web page where you can view and print your PIN. This option is only viewable one time. Once you receive the PIN e-mail notice from the U.S. Department of Education, you will have 14 days to retrieve your PIN. If you do not retrieve your PIN in 14 days, we will deactivate the e-mail link and send the PIN through U.S. postal mail to the address we have on file. Both Web and paper FAFSA filers may provide their e-mail addresses in 2005-06 by completing Question 13.

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.

Students who fall into any of the above categories and who provide a valid e-mail address will receive an e-mail with a link to their PIN. If they did not provide an e-mail address or the address they provided was invalid, they will receive a PIN mailer.

You also can obtain more detailed information on how to use the PIN from www.pin.ed.gov.

Current student and parent PIN holders must activate their PINs

Student and parent PIN holders must each activate their PIN before initial use in 2005-06. The PIN must be activated prior to use even if you or your parent has used the PIN in the past. This is an added security measure against identity theft.  PIN activation is only required once.  To activate the PIN, go to www.pin.ed.gov and select the "Activate My PIN" link.  Follow the easy step-by-step process to activate the PIN.