You must complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to apply for federal student aid and to apply for most state and college aid.

Seniors and their parents can start the FAFSA process now by obtaining the needed PIN numbers.  The steps and links are listed below:

Steps 1 & 2 can be done prior to January 1^st.  

Student Part: 

Step 1: Student applies for a PIN NUMBER (Very important number do not lose) from FAFSA website www.pin.ed.gov

You will need: Name, SSN, Birth Date, and email address

Step 2: Student receives email giving a link to the US Department of Education site that will allow you to retrieve your PIN Number.  You have 8 days to retrieve your PIN.

Parent Part: 

Step 1: Parent applies for a PIN NUMBER (Very important number do not lose) from FAFSA Website www.pin.ed.gov

You will need: Name, SSN, Birth Date, and email address

Step 2: Parent receives email giving a link of the US Department of Education site that will allow you to retrieve your PIN NUMBER. You have 8 days to retrieve your PIN.

Note: A worksheet (FAFSA4caster) is available at  www.studentaid.ed.gov/fafsa/estimate  that will provide a preview of questions that you will be asked when completing the FAFSA online.

Steps 3 & 4 get completed after January 1^st. 

Step 3:  With your STUDENT PIN, you are ready to complete the FAFSA on line. www.fafsa.ed.gov/

Step 4:  Parent retrieves FAFSA and uses Parent PIN NUMBER.

Other Helpful Websites: 

www.studentaid.ed.gov/

Federal Student Aid, An Office of the U.S. Department of Education

www.mhec.state.md.us/financialAid/descriptions.asp

State of Maryland

www.finaid.org/

Scholarship Profile

Originally posted on Find Out First