What Does DRN Mean on FAFSA and Why Is It Important?
Demystify your FAFSA Data Release Number. Discover its vital role in your federal student aid application and how to ensure its accuracy.
The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) helps students secure financial assistance for higher education. It provides access to federal student aid programs, including grants, loans, and work-study opportunities. After submitting the FAFSA, students receive a FAFSA Submission Summary, a document that summarizes their information and initial eligibility, which includes their Data Release Number (DRN).
Understanding Your DRN
The Data Release Number (DRN) is a four-digit code assigned to your FAFSA form by the U.S. Department of Education. This unique identifier is located on your FAFSA Submission Summary, which replaced the Student Aid Report (SAR) as of the 2024-2025 aid year. The DRN acts as a security code, allowing authorized individuals, such as financial aid administrators or customer service agents, to access your FAFSA information and make necessary changes.
The FAFSA Submission Summary provides a detailed overview of your submitted data. It includes your calculated Expected Family Contribution (EFC), an index colleges use to determine financial aid eligibility. This summary also indicates your estimated eligibility for federal Pell Grants and other federal student loans, as well as any comments or flags that may require further action. The term “Expected Family Contribution” has been officially replaced by the “Student Aid Index (SAI)” starting with the 2024-2025 FAFSA to clarify it is an index, not necessarily the amount a family will pay.
Accessing Your DRN
Once your FAFSA form has been processed, you can access your DRN and FAFSA Submission Summary online through your StudentAid.gov account. Electronic submissions are processed within one to three days, while paper forms may take 7 to 10 days. To view your summary and DRN, log in to your StudentAid.gov dashboard using your FSA ID.
Your FSA ID serves as your legal signature for federal student aid documents and provides account access. If you submitted a paper FAFSA without a valid email address, a printed FAFSA Submission Summary containing your DRN will be mailed to you within three weeks. The DRN is also on your FAFSA confirmation page or in the FAFSA confirmation email.
Reviewing and Correcting Your DRN
Upon receiving your FAFSA Submission Summary and DRN, it is important to review all the information for accuracy. This includes personal details, financial data, and the calculated Expected Family Contribution (EFC) or Student Aid Index (SAI). Errors in your FAFSA data can significantly impact your eligibility for federal student aid, so a thorough review is essential. If you identify any mistakes, you can correct your FAFSA form online by logging back into your StudentAid.gov account.
To initiate a correction, navigate to the “My Activity” section on your dashboard, select your processed FAFSA submission, and choose “Make Corrections.” If you are a dependent student and changes affect your parent’s information, your parent must re-sign the FAFSA electronically using their FSA ID. Certain information, such as your Social Security Number, cannot be changed online and may require contacting the Federal Student Aid Information Center. Make any necessary corrections promptly, as some federal aid is awarded on a first-come, first-served basis, and state and college deadlines may be earlier than federal ones.