Are you a returning college student? If so, it's time to renew your FAFSA for the 2025-2026 academic year! 

Read some common questions students have (and our answers) about renewing the FAFSA below.

Why does the FAFSA look different?

The 2025-2026 FAFSA, also known as the "Better FAFSA," is the second version of an overhauled, simplified FAFSA. The new FAFSA looks different than previous years, has significantly fewer questions, and is now role-based. That means that you and your contributors (if you are a dependent student) will each need a StudentAid.gov account (formerly known as FSA ID) to complete your portion of the FAFSA. Learn more about completing the FAFSA.

I submitted my FAFSA last year. Why do I need to renew it?

Renewing your FAFSA is the only way to determine your eligibility for financial aid each school year. Grants, scholarships, loans, work-study, and other forms of financial aid are only awarded to students who have already completed or renewed their FAFSA. If you don’t renew your FAFSA every year you're in college, you will lose out on financial aid you had the previous year or new forms of aid that can significantly decrease the overall cost of college tuition and fees.

How often do I need to renew my FAFSA?

The FAFSA only applies to one school year, so you will need to renew it every year you’re in college to be eligible for financial aid. For example, when completing the 2025-2026 FAFSA, you will be re-applying for renewed financial aid for that school year.

How do I renew my FAFSA?

You can access the 2025-2026 FAFSA on the Student Aid website. You and your contributors will need to log in with the same StudentAid.gov accounts you used when you initially submitted your FAFSA. This will bring up much of the same information you provided the first time you completed the FAFSA, such as your personal information, so you don't need to re-enter it. However, if any of that information has changed since initially completing your FAFSA, be sure to update it when renewing.

My household income/financial situation has changed since I first completed the FAFSA. What should I do?

The FAFSA requires students and contributors to grant consent to pull official IRS information. Every year that you submit, you will receive a new FAFSA Submission Summary (formerly Student Aid Report) that will include your Student Aid Index (SAI), formerly Expected Family Contribution (EFC). Your SAI is what colleges will use to determine your financial need. After completing the FAFSA, if the financial aid offer from your school is not enough to help cover educational costs, you can submit a change in financial circumstances appeal form. By submitting this form, you are asking your school’s financial aid office to take a closer look at your current financial situation and adjust their aid offer accordingly (which will hopefully result in awarding you more aid). While submitting a change in circumstances form doesn’t always guarantee that you will receive more financial aid, we recommend that you still do so. Because this process may take some time, we recommend submitting your appeal form as soon as possible.

What’s the deadline to renew?

While the federal deadline to renew the FAFSA is June 30th annually, we recommend doing it ASAP. Many states and colleges award aid on a first-come, first-served basis or have their own earlier deadline. If your state has their own FAFSA deadline you can learn more here.

What other financial aid forms do I need to renew?

If you submitted the CSS Profile during the previous school year, you will need to renew it as well. Unlike the FAFSA, which is always free, there is a $25 fee for completing the CSS Profile. The first report you send is included in that $25 fee, but any additional report will cost $16. Fee waivers are available to students whose adjusted gross family income is less than $100,000 annually. The CSS profile opens annually on October 1, but deadlines typically vary by college. Check in with your school's financial aid office to learn your deadline.

I renewed my FAFSA. What happens now?

Once you submit your FAFSA for the following year and it has been processed, you will receive your FAFSA Submission Summary. If your FAFSA is complete and successfully processed, you will see your Student Aid Index (SAI) along with your estimated federal aid. Your school will use this information to create and send you a financial aid offer letter. If your application requires additional information, it will be noted on your Summary. Be sure to follow up on any action items listed. 

Ready to put your knowledge to the test? Play our Kahoot!

Need some support as you renew your FAFSA? Text #FAFSA to 33-55-77 to chat with one of our advisors. If you're using a mobile device, click here to have the text message set up for you!