HESCPIN Authentication System

Frequently Asked Questions

  1. What is the HESCPIN User ID?

  2. What is the HESCPIN PIN?

  3. Do I need a HESCPIN User ID and PIN?

  4. Who is eligible to obtain a HESCPIN User ID and PIN?

  5. How do I request my HESCPIN User ID and PIN and how long does it take to receive?

  6. When I attempted to request my HESCPIN User ID and PIN, I was told that I have entered invalid data, what do I do now?

  7. What should I do if I lose or forget my HESCPIN User ID or PIN?

  8. What should I do if I suspect someone else knows my HESCPIN User ID or PIN?

  9. Does my HESCPIN User ID or PIN expire?

  10. How do I change my Last Name?

  11. Why are e-mail notifications sent to me?

  12. How do I change my e-mail address?

  13. What if I changed my name on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) site, but I am still receiving a message that I entered invalid data?

  14. What does it mean if my account is temporarily locked or permanently disabled?

  15. What is a Challenge Question and what is it used for?


Answers to Frequently Asked Questions

  1. What is the HESCPIN User ID?

    The HESCPIN User ID is an identifier that you may choose as long as it is unique (does not already exist), and it meets the rules for creating a User ID shown below. No other individual can ever use or be assigned this unique identifier.


    If you forget, or feel your HESCPIN User ID has been compromised (lost or stolen), you may change your User ID at any time.


    When used with your personal identification number (PIN), your HESCPIN User ID gives you access to various New York State Higher Education Services Corporation (HESC) systems.


    To obtain a HESCPIN User ID you must successfully complete an on-line registration request. During that process you will be prompted to enter personal information which will be used to validate your identity prior to your selection and assignment of a HESCPIN User ID.


    Rules for creating a User ID
    User IDs must be a minimum of 8 characters in length, but not exceed 16 characters.


    User IDs must be a mixture of alpha (A -Z) and numeric (0-9) characters. No special characters (_, -, &, %, $, #, etc.) or spaces are allowed.


    You will have three tries to choose a HESCPIN User ID that meets these rules. If you fail to successfully establish one, then one will be assigned to you.


    All User IDs will be changed into upper cased characters on the HESC system


  2. What is the HESCPIN PIN?

    The HESCPIN Personal Identification Number (PIN) is a shared secret between you and the New York State Higher Education Services Corporation (HESC). When used with your HESCPIN User ID, your PIN gives you access to various New York State Higher Education Services Corporation (HESC) systems.


    Your HESCPIN, like the Personal Identification Number that you get from your bank, enables you to access your account. Because your PIN serves as your electronic signature, you should not give it to anyone.


    If you forget, or feel your HESCPIN PIN has been compromised, you may change your PIN at any time.


    To obtain a PIN you must successfully complete an on-line registration request. During that process you will be prompted to enter personal information which will be used to validate your identity and then select your PIN.


    PINs must be 4 numeric (0 - 9) digits in length.


    Digits cannot be the same (e.g. 1111 or 9999).


    The four (4) digits must not be ascending in the range 0 - 9 (e.g. 1234) or descending in the range 0 - 9 (e.g. 3210).


    When you use your PIN you must type the PIN exactly as it was entered.


    You may use a PIN that you have created for other sources, such as the one you used to electronically sign your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).


  3. Do I need a HESCPIN User ID and PIN?

    You need a HESCPIN User ID and PIN in order to:


    • Complete a New York State Tuition Assistance Program (TAP) Application on-line.
    • Complete a New York State Tuition Assistance Program (TAP) Change Form on-line.
    • Complete a New York State Tuition Assistance Program (TAP) Request For Information on-line.
    • Complete and sign an electronic Master Promissory Note for Federal Stafford Loans.
    • Complete and sign an electronic Master Promissory Note for Federal PLUS Loans.
    • Make updates to your e-mail address or Challenge Question and Answer. Sign-In

    Shortly you will be able to use your HESCPIN User ID and PIN to:


    • View the status of your TAP application.
    • View the status of your loans that have been guaranteed by New York State Higher Education Services Corporation (HESC).
    • Maintain profile information (e.g. make address corrections, etc.) for any New York State Higher Education Services Corporation (HESC) systems.
    • Complete exit counseling with Meteor data on-line.
  4. Who is eligible to obtain a HESCPIN User ID and PIN?

    Any individual who has completed a FAFSA and/or been identity validated by a credit service bureau<or applied for a PLUS loan> may apply for a HESCPIN User ID and PIN. We will first compare identifying data collected from you to information provided to us from the United States Department of Education. If the information you provide does not match with this source of record, you will be identity validated by a credit service bureau and able to receive a User ID and PIN. If the information you provide does not match with this source, you will not be able to receive a User ID and PIN.


  5. How do I request my HESCPIN User ID and PIN and how long does it take to receive?

    If you are a new user and do not have a HESCPIN User ID or PIN, but would like to apply for one, select "I need to Register with HESCPIN" from the HESCPIN Sign-In page.


    Your HESCPIN User ID and PIN will immediately be provided and assigned to you in a secure on-line session. You may use them as soon as they are created.


    If you forgot your HESCPIN User ID or PIN, select "I forgot my User ID or PIN" from the HESCPIN Sign-In page.


    If you think that your PIN has been compromised, sign in to the HESCPIN application and select "Change My Account" on the HESCPIN Sign-In confirmation page. Change your PIN.


  6. When I attempted to request my HESCPIN User ID and PIN, I was told that I have entered invalid data, what do I do now?

    To request a User ID and PIN, you will be requested to provide identifying information. We attempt to match this information against information provided to us from the United States Department of Education and if this identity validation fails, we will attempt to match with a credit service bureau. If the information you provide does not match either third party providers, you will receive a message that indicates that we could not find a match to the data provided. You will not be able to create a HESCPIN User ID or PIN.


    If any of the information is not in the correct format, you will receive a message that indicates you have entered invalid data. To get help on how to enter the responses for these fields, click on the HELP link at the bottom of that page. Then re-enter the information and submit your request again.


    We use the Institutional Student Information Record (ISIR) provided by the United States Department of Education to verify the information you have entered. The ISIR is created, generally within 72 hours, after you complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). If you have not completed a FAFSA or we have not yet received an ISIR, we will attempt to validate your identity with a credit service bureau. If this fails to validate your identity, we will not be able to complete the verification process or provide you with a User ID or PIN.


    If you have recently completed your FAFSA, you may want to retry your request to create a HESCPIN User ID or PIN in another 72 hours.


  7. What should I do if I lose or forget my HESCPIN User ID or PIN?

    If you have lost or forgotten your HESCPIN User ID or PIN you will need to create a new one. If you think that someone else may know your PIN, or you believe your PIN may have been lost or stolen, you must create a new PIN. Select "I forgot my User ID or PIN" from the HESCPIN Sign-In page.


    Otherwise, you can change your PIN by selecting "Change My Account" from the HESCPIN Sign-In confirmation page.


  8. What should I do if I suspect someone else knows my HESCPIN User ID or PIN?

    If you think that someone else may know your PIN, or you believe your PIN has been otherwise compromised, create a new PIN.


    Select "Change My Account" on the HESCPIN Sign-In confirmation page. Change your PIN.


  9. Does my HESCPIN User ID or PIN expire?

    No, your HESCPIN User ID and PIN do not expire.


  10. How do I change my Last Name?

    Currently there is no way to make a change to the last name we associate with your HESCPIN User ID using the HESCPIN application.


    If you have changed your last name, you need to update your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or access the on-line TAP Change Form.


    The United States Department of Education validates the FAFSA information you entered, creates an Institutional Student Information Record (ISIR) and supplies this record to the New York State Higher Education Services Corporation (HESC). Generally the ISIR is created within 72 hours after you complete a FAFSA.


    Once HESC receives an ISIR or TAP Change Form, we will update our records with this new information.


    If you have further questions, please submit a support request at https://www.hesc.ny.gov/hesc-pin-user-assistance.


  11. Why are e-mail notifications sent to me?

    Notification will be sent to you regarding your HESCPIN account whenever any of the following occur:


    1. Initial Registration


    2. Temporary User ID Lock-out after three (3) unsuccessful PIN validation attempts


    3. Permanent User ID Lock-out after three (3) unsuccessful PIN and Challenge Question validation attempts


    4. Confirmation that your PIN has been changed


    5. Confirmation that your HESCPIN account has been changed


    6. You cancelled your User ID


    7. Confirmation that a new User ID has been created


    These notifications are being provided to you to assist in the identification of suspicious activity with your HESCPIN account.


    If you receive a notification and do not suspect it, or if you have further questions, please submit a support request at https://www.hesc.ny.gov/hesc-pin-user-assistance.


  12. How do I change my e-mail address?

    If you would like to update your e-mail address, or change your Challenge Question or Answer, you must sign in to the HESCPIN application Sign-In and select "Change My Account" on the HESCPIN Sign In confirmation page.


    You may also change your e-mail address by changing the e-mail address on your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).


    The United States Department of Education uses information you provided on your FAFSA to create an Institutional Student Information Record (ISIR). This record is provided to the New York State Higher Education Services Corporation (HESC) and is used to maintain your HESCPIN account.


    Generally the ISIR is created within 72 hours after you complete a FAFSA.


    Once HESC receives an ISIR we will update our records with this new information.


  13. What if I changed my name on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) site, but I am still receiving a message that I entered invalid data?

    You changed your last name and updated your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and then have come to the HESCPIN site to request a User ID and PIN.


    When applying for a HESCPIN User ID and PIN we will compare identifying data collected from you to the Institutional Student Information Record (ISIR) provided to us from the United States Department of Education. The ISIR is created, generally within 72 hours, after you complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).


    If we have not yet received an ISIR from the Department of Education, we will be unable to match to your new name.


    If you have recently completed your FAFSA, you may want to retry this request in another 72 hours.


    If you have further questions, please submit a support request at https://www.hesc.ny.gov/hesc-pin-user-assistance.


  14. What does it mean if my account is temporarily locked or permanently disabled?

    The HESCPIN application is designed to protect your identity to the greatest extent possible. Every attempt to match your PIN or answer your selected Challenge Question is tracked.


    If you have forgotten your User ID or PIN we will try to reconfirm your identity by asking you to provide the answer to the Challenge Question you selected when creating your HESCPIN User ID and PIN.


    If there have been too many failed attempts to enter your Challenge Answers correctly, your account will be placed in a temporarily locked status. An error page will be presented allowing a temporary link for PIN reset to be generated and sent to your email address. The link must be accessed within 3 hours before it expires, and your PIN must be reset in order to unlock your account.


    Accounts can be placed in a permanently disabled status through HESC intervention only. If an attack is suspected, or information is at risk of being exposed, or a user has personally requested, an account can be permanently disabled. Permanently disabled accounts can no longer be accessed and provide authentication. Users will be required to Create a New User ID.


  15. What is a Challenge Question and what is it used for?

    The HESCPIN system will use a challenge question and answer, which you must provide, to confirm your identity should you forget your Personal Identification Number (PIN) or User ID.


    A list of challenge questions will be presented to you at the time you create your HESCPIN User ID and PIN.


    A new challenge question, or the answer you provide to a question, may be changed at anytime by selecting "Change My Account" on the HESCPIN Sign-In confirmation page.