Should I renew or start a new FAFSA?

Because financial and family circumstances can change from year to year, you must complete and submit your FAFSA for each academic year you wish to receive financial aid.

FAFSA no longer offers a separate “renewal” option.

Instead, returning students simply start a new FAFSA, and certain personal information will pre-fill automatically once you log in with your FSA ID.

This streamlines the process while ensuring your information is kept current.

How do I renew my FAFSA?

To renew your FAFSA, go to StudentAid.gov and sign in using your FSA ID. As a returning user, your basic personal information will be pre-populated using the data from prior academic year.

Update your information

Here you need to update only the information that has changed since last year — income, assets, taxes. Be sure to use the IRS Direct Data Exchange (DDX) to automatically update your most recent tax information.

Note that now you’re able to renew your FAFSA using tax information two years prior as early as October 1, rather than beginning on January 1.

This will make it possible to use the IRS Direct Data Exchange (DDX) early in the renewal process.

Sign and submit

When everything is correct, sign the FAFSA using your FSA ID and submit the form. You may save or print the confirmation page for your records.

All returning students are encouraged to file a renewal as early as possible after October 1. That’s because some types of financial aid are first-come, first served.

If you need answers to questions about filing the FAFSA Renewal, call

Federal Student Aid Information Center
(800) 433-3243

Should I renew or start a new FAFSA?

How do I renew my FAFSA?

Login as returning user

Update your information

Sign and submit