<p>Anybody else unable to retrieve their FAFSA PINs this morning? It seems like they are having some kind of problem at the site, which of course they say is fine. But for some reason I can't get even one of our three numbers.</p>
<p>From what I remember from last year, you get an email that you need to save with the PIN. If you lose it, you need to get another one. That's my recollection, but I'm getting old!</p>
<p>Ours came back saying they couldn't processs it wrong SS # for my D. My husband swears he didn't type it wrong so we will try again-discouraging as time is a factor now.</p>
<p>I've had the worst time with this. There is no way that I am entering the info wrong, and then of course you get locked out for 24 hrs if you try too many times. And isn't it a little suspicious that none of ours is working? When I call (4 times) they just tell me that now I have to wait 24 hrs, re-apply and wait another 3 days. I was able to resubmit my husband's before I got locked it, and when they re-sent it to me it still wouldn't work. I don't know what to do now. The frustrating part is when you call they are unable to do anything except read the instructions off the web site - which, I explained to them, I really am capable of doing myself!</p>
<p>sounds like the server is overloaded.
Try again late at night.</p>
<p>I don't know if this is the problem but you can only retrieve the PIN ONCE online, after that, if you haven't written it down, you need to get another one. This is why it's a good idea to print everything out.</p>
<p>I was able to retrieve my PIN early this morning without any trouble. I used the link in the email I received from the US-DOE saying that my PIN had been issued.</p>
<p>Same as My Sweet Baboo. S and H still have to get PINs, but I was successful in getting mine.</p>
<p>Do both parents need PINS? D's was signed only by me last year and went just fine.</p>
<p>TheDad, I just finished submitting the FAFSA, and yes, both my S and I needed PINS.</p>
<p>I'm quite sure only one parent needs a PIN as well as the child.</p>
<p>One parent, one child.</p>
<p>I think they must have screwed up something with inputting our 3 PINs, because all 3 are clearly not operational. It's interesting that some of you had no problem. That gives me hope for today when I try again. These are brand new numbers - never have been activated. </p>
<p>Here are my thoughts on this system - I wish somewhere on their web site it said LOUD and CLEAR - "Sign up for your PIN a month before you think you are going to need it in case we screw up!" Also, why do they have a call center of people who can't do anything except read to you off their web site the same thing you're looking at at home (this by their own admission!)??? The help page should say, "Here is the phone number for help but do not bother to call because we can't do anything." Also, what are they doing for the 3 to 4 days it takes between when you apply for the PIN and when they email you the notice that it is ready???</p>
<p>I submitted a request for a PIN yesterday-- I thought only one parent needs to get one. Does the student need one as well?</p>
<p>yes the parent and student each need a pin as there is seperate financial info for each.
THe pin replaces your signature and each parent and student need to sign ( if you file joint one pin for parents will do)
Also with FAFSA you usually get a code that notes that it is selected for verification. This isn't anything to worry about, you just need to submit 1040 and W-2 forms ( signed) foor parents and student</p>
<p>Just for clarification, if you are selected for verification, you will submit the 1040 and W-2's to the schools from whom you are seeking aid.</p>
<p>I filed the FAFSA last night and received the Student Aid Report (SAR) this afternoon. Much faster than I expected. </p>
<p>And that howling noise you hear in the distance? Well, that's me reading what I'm expected to "contribute" for my DS's collegiate experience! :eek:</p>
<p>LOL, My Sweet Babboo, and crying sounds as well!</p>
<p>FAFSA- Hardest form I ever filled out. Had to open 2 years of personal taxes, 2 years of kid's and current year's expected taxes. </p>
<p>Forgot to the Pin and had to do it all over again.</p>
<p>BTW: NEVER FOREGET "THE PIN" because YOU NEED IT EVERY YEAR it you get student, parent loans, scholarships.</p>
<p>I FINALLY got a real supervisor on the phone at FAFSA, and she was very nice and seemed quite competent. After trying to help me out for about a half hour she acknowledged that they are using new security software and there have been some PIN applicants that "seem to be stuck in a loop." Well, I understand that loop thing having once taken some primitive computer programming course. ; )</p>
<p>Anyway I ended up mailing in the signature form. It's pretty pointless anyway, as our EFC is hilarious.</p>
<p>To reiterate - My advice: Get your PIN number about a year ahead of time!!!</p>