<p>Hi I have a few questions about FAFSA. I'm the first to go to college in my family, so it's very confusing for me.</p>
<p>Once I have an approved pin will I create an account? Or is it created for me?</p>
<p>My counselors have told me to fill out FAFSA in January. Last year both my parents received their tax forms in February. I have heard it is possible to fill out the FAFSA based on last year's or to get the numbers as close as possible, and once they have done their taxes again to update it. It this true?</p>
<p>If so, will it send my family's previous income #s to my schools and it will suffice for now. Or will it not count for my schools? </p>
<p>That is all I can think of now. If I have any more questions I will post on my thread.</p>
<p>The PIN is what you will use to sign your FAFSA. In addition, one of your parents will need to get a PIN in order to sign your FAFSA. Your PIN and your parent’s PIN will be different.</p>
<p>You should fill out the FAFSA now with numbers as close as possible - if income was close to last year, you can use then. Once the tax returns are filed, you can go back to the FAFSA about 2 weeks after the return is accepted by the IRS (filing electronically is best - if your parents use a tax service, they will probably file electronically - if your parents file their own taxes, they can file electronically), go back to your FAFSA. Update “will file” to “already filed.” You will be asked if you would like to go to the IRS website and have the tax information directly transferred to the FAFSA. This is the best way to do it. Once you transfer the info, you will have to submit it to FAFSA - you and your parent will have to sign again with your PINs to process the update.</p>
<p>The first year of doing the FAFSA is the hardest. Make sure you print off a copy and keep it because it will make next year easier. </p>
<p>There are about 100 questions to answer. Most are easy (Birthdate, name, etc). </p>
<p>Go ahead and get started. What you want to do is MAKE SURE you get this all done by the school’s deadline (for some that is Feb 1 or Feb 15). </p>
<p>The first year I did the FAFSA for my son, I went back and amended it 8 times. So I know, for sure, you can go back in and update things. </p>
<p>Think of the submission as your place in line. (Sam Student submitted his FAFSA on Jan. 28, 2012 and received place ticket number 12,231). Now your college knows that Sam Student wants some money help for going to college. No matter how many times Sam Student goes in with new information during the coming months, his “ticket number” or “place in line” is still 12,231 which is a ton better than Claudio Clueless who doesn’t get his stuff together until June and gets place number 500,699. </p>
<p>So get YOUR pin number. Get EACH parent to get a pin number (you only need one parent to sign but now you will be able to get either one in future years). Write the numbers down on a file folder (where you will keep that FAFSA copy) and get the FAFSA 2012 conquered. Good luck!</p>
<p>I am not sure I understand your question. To get a parent PIN, go to [The</a> PIN Web Site - Federal Student Aid](<a href=“http://www.pin.ed.gov%5DThe”>http://www.pin.ed.gov). You will need to input your PARENT’S name, social security number, and date of birth.</p>