1. What is the PIN?
The Personal Identification Number (PIN) serves as your identifier to let you access your personal information in various U.S. Department of Education systems. It's like the PIN you get from your bank that permits you to access your account. The PIN also allows you to sign your federal student aid application online and allows you to correct your application data online. In the interest of keeping your personal information secure, do not share your PIN! You should never give your PIN to anyone. Be sure to keep your PIN in a safe place. You can apply for a PIN by clicking here. Submit corrections to your processed FAFSA use your PIN to electronically sign your submitted FAFSA obtain a copy of your processed FAFSA information or add a school code to you FAFSA application

2. Why should I get a PIN?
You can use your PIN to access your financial aid data at these U.S. Department of Education websites: FAFSA on the Web: Access and complete your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or renewal FAFSA (if you applied for federal student aid last year). You can also: The National Student Loan Data System Web site: View a history of the federal student financial aid you have received. You also may use your PIN to sign your Federal Direct or Federal Family Education Loan (FFEL) Master Promissory Note.

3. What is the Data Release Number (DRN)?
The Data Release Number (DRN) is required to make certain changes associated with the FAFSA you filed. The DRN also allows you to release your FAFSA data to schools you did not list on your original FAFSA. The DRN is printed in the lower left-hand corner of your Student Aid Report (SAR) If you filed your FAFSA online, we will need your DRN to complete your application.

4. Why do I have to provide my parents' information on the FAFSA?
When you apply for federal student aid, your answers to the questions in Step 3 of the paper FAFSA or in Step 2 of the online FAFSA will determine whether you're considered dependent of your parents or independent. If you're considered dependent, your parents' income and assets as well as your own must be reported on the FAFSA. Students are classified as dependent or independent because federal student aid programs are based on the principle that students (and their parents or spouse, if applicable) are considered the primary source of support for postsecondary education.

5. If my parents are divorced or separated, which one should provide the information for the parent’s portion of the FAFSA?
The parent with whom you lived the most during the past 12 months should complete the application. If you lived with each parent an equal length of time or lived with neither parent, the parent providing the most financial support for you during the last year should complete the form.

6. If I take a leave of absence, do I have to start repaying my loans?
Not immediately. The subsidized Stafford loan has a grace period of 6 months and the Perkins loan a grace period of 9 months before the student must begin repaying the loan. When you take a leave of absence you will not have to repay your loan until the grace period is used up. If you use up the grace period, however, when you graduate you will have to begin repaying your loan immediately. It is possible to request an extension to the grace period, but this must be done before the grace period is used up. If your grace period has run out in the middle of your leave of absence, you will have to start making payments on your student loans.

7. Do I have to reapply for financial aid every year?
Yes. We require that you apply for financial aid for your second academic year. If your financial circumstances change, you may get more or less aid. After your first year you will receive a "Renewal Application" which contains preprinted information from the previous year's FAFSA. Note that your eligibility for financial aid may change significantly, especially if you have a different number of family members in college. Renewal of your financial aid package also depends on your making satisfactory academic progress, such as earning a minimum number of credits and achieving a minimum GPA.

8. What is Selective Service registration?
Selective Service registration is a way for our government to keep a list of names of men from which to draw in case of a national emergency requiring rapid expansion of our Armed Forces and is a REQUIREMENT for federal student aid (including federal Stafford loans). Almost all male U.S. citizens, and male aliens living in the U.S., who are 18 through 25, are required to register with Selective Service. Proof of registration (or exemption) in the form of a Status Information Letter may be obtained by calling the Selective Service System at (847) 688-6888. You may also obtain a copy by writing to: Selective Service System, P.O. Box 94638, Palatine, Illinois, 60094-4638 or by visiting their website at www.sss.gov. Be sure to provide your name, date of birth, Social Security Number, and current mailing address.

9. If I’m in default on a federal education loan, can I still receive financial aid?
No. However, once the default status has been cleared, you may be eligible to receive aid again. You can visit the National Student Loan Data System to check the status of prior federal loans and grants as well as locate information on who to contact in the event that you are in default or overpayment.

10. What is the EFC and how is it used?
The Expected Family Contribution (EFC) is a number derived from the federal needs analysis. This number represents the amount of money that your family should be able to contribute toward the cost of your education for the applicable school year. This number, used in conjunction with the cost of attendance determines the amount of Pell Grant funding for which you are eligible. To calculate your approximate EFC, you can visit the FinAid Expected Family Contribution Calculator.