Can I get FAFSA loans for a second bachelor's degree? Already have one degree but need another

The short answer is yes, but with some important limitations. Since you already have a bachelor's degree, you're no longer eligible for federal Pell Grants or other federal grants that don't need to be repaid. However, you CAN still get federal student loans for a second bachelor's degree as long as you haven't reached your aggregate loan limits. For dependent students, the lifetime loan limit is $31,000 (with no more than $23,000 in subsidized loans). For independent students, it's $57,500 (with the same subsidized loan limit). Since you mentioned having about $28K in loans, you likely have some remaining eligibility if you're considered an independent student. To access these loans, you'll need to complete a new FAFSA and make sure to indicate that you're working on your first bachelor's degree (yes, it's counterintuitive, but that's what the form requires).

i went through this exact thing last year!!! psychology degree gang lol 🙃 anyways ya u can get loans BUT u cant get any grants which SUCKS. i applied for fafsa for my nursing degree after having my psych degree and got approved for loans but my SAI was too high for anything else

The financial aid system is designed to penalize career-changers. It's absolutely ridiculous that they cut you off from grants just because you already have a degree. The whole system assumes everyone picks the perfect major at 18 and never needs to pivot. I went through this nightmare last year trying to get funding for a second degree in accounting after my first in English lit. Had to take out private loans at INSANE interest rates because I'd hit my federal loan limit. The whole system is broken.

There's actually a very specific process for handling second bachelor's degree applications in FAFSA. Here's what you need to know: 1) Yes, you're eligible for federal loans (both Direct and PLUS loans) but not federal grants 2) You must not have reached your aggregate loan limits ($31K dependent, $57.5K independent) 3) Your school must code you as a "5th year undergraduate" in some cases 4) You must be enrolled at least half-time 5) Your SAI will still be calculated and used for institutional aid Call your new school's financial aid office directly - they deal with this situation regularly and can code your application correctly. The community college advisor was likely confused because community colleges rarely process second bachelor's degrees.

have u considered just doing a masters in comp sci instead? some programs take ppl w/o CS bachelors and u might get better finacial aid for grad school. my brother did this after his biology degree

I've been trying to reach the Federal Student Aid people about this EXACT question for weeks with no luck. Their website says one thing, the automated phone system says something else, and I can never get through to a real person. Finally gave up and used Claimyr (claimyr.com) to reach an actual FSA agent. They connected me in about 20 minutes! The agent confirmed I could get loans up to my remaining aggregate limit for a second bachelor's. You can see how it works here: https://youtu.be/TbC8dZQWYNQ - totally worth it when you need specific answers from FSA.

wait so what happens if ur already at the loan limit from ur first degree??? asking for a friend lol

One additional important point: when you're filling out your FAFSA for a second bachelor's, pay close attention to the question about your degree objective. You should select "1st Bachelor's Degree" even though it's technically your second. This is because the system is primarily designed to distinguish between undergraduate and graduate students, not between first and second bachelor's degrees. Also, your subsidized loan eligibility may be limited or non-existent depending on how much of your subsidized loan limit you've already used ($23,000 maximum). But you should still have access to unsubsidized loans up to your remaining aggregate limit.

also dont forget to look at your schools scholarships!!!! i got a "career changer" scholarship from my nursing program that was like $4500 a semester. lots of schools have special money for people coming back for 2nd degrees especially in high demand fields like CS

Just wanted to add another perspective here - I'm currently in my second bachelor's program (computer science after a business degree) and had a similar loan situation. One thing that really helped me was creating a detailed budget before committing to the program. Even though I qualified for federal loans, I realized the total debt load would be pretty intense. I ended up doing a hybrid approach: took federal loans for tuition but worked part-time as a tutor (using skills from my first degree) to cover living expenses. Also applied for every CS-specific scholarship I could find - there are actually quite a few for career changers in tech fields. The key is starting your scholarship search early, like 6-8 months before you plan to enroll. Your psychology background might actually be valuable in tech - user experience, product management, and tech recruiting all value that kind of background. Good luck with your CS journey!

This thread has been so helpful! I'm in a similar situation - graduated with a marketing degree 2 years ago and now want to pursue nursing. From what I'm reading here, it sounds like the key steps are: 1. Complete FAFSA and select "1st Bachelor's Degree" (even though it's technically my second) 2. Check my remaining aggregate loan limits since I'm independent 3. Contact the nursing program's financial aid office directly rather than relying on general advisors 4. Look into school-specific scholarships for career changers 5. Accept that I won't qualify for federal grants but can still get loans One question though - has anyone dealt with schools that require you to take prerequisite courses before starting the actual program? I need to complete several science courses first, and I'm wondering if those prereqs count toward my loan eligibility or if I have to wait until I'm officially enrolled in the degree program. The nursing advisor wasn't sure about this when I asked. Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences - this is exactly the kind of real-world info that's impossible to find elsewhere!

I'm in a very similar boat! Just finished my English Literature degree last year and realized I need something more practical. Been researching going back for either computer science or data analytics. One thing I discovered that might help you - some schools have "post-baccalaureate" programs specifically designed for career changers that are shorter than a full second bachelor's. They focus just on the core CS courses without all the general education requirements you've already completed. These programs often have better financial aid options too since they're targeting working professionals. Also, definitely look into coding bootcamps as an alternative. I know they're not the same as a degree, but some of the top ones have income-share agreements where you don't pay anything until you get a job. Might be worth considering given your existing loan debt. The psychology background could actually be a huge asset in tech - UX design, product management, and even AI ethics are all growing fields that value that kind of training. Don't underestimate how valuable that perspective could be! Have you looked into any specific CS programs yet, or are you still in the research phase?

Hey! I'm in almost the exact same situation - psychology degree from 2021 and now looking at CS programs. Just wanted to share what I've learned from my research so far. First, yes you can definitely get federal loans for a second bachelor's! The key things I found out: - You're still eligible for federal loans up to the aggregate limits (sounds like you have room left) - No more Pell Grants unfortunately, but loans are still available - Make sure to indicate "1st Bachelor's Degree" on your FAFSA (I know, it's weird!) I actually just got accepted to a CS program and qualified for about $12,500 in federal loans per year. The financial aid office was super helpful once I got past the general advisors. One thing that's been really encouraging - I've talked to several CS professors and they actually LOVE having psychology majors in their programs. Turns out our research methods, statistics background, and understanding of human behavior is exactly what tech companies need right now, especially for UX, product management, and even AI development. Have you looked into any specific schools yet? I found that state universities tend to be way more flexible with second-degree students than I expected. Happy to share more details about the programs I researched if you're interested!

I just went through this process last year and wanted to share some specific details that might help! I had a communications degree and $26k in existing federal loans when I started my second bachelor's in cybersecurity. Here's what actually happened when I applied: - I was eligible for about $11,000/year in federal loans as an independent student - Had to complete FAFSA normally and yes, select "1st bachelor's degree" (the system is confusing but that's how it works) - My school's financial aid office had to manually review my application since I already had a degree - Got approved for mostly unsubsidized loans since I'd used up most of my subsidized eligibility The biggest surprise was that some schools actually have special programs for "post-baccalaureate" students that are designed exactly for career changers like us. These are sometimes shorter (like 18-24 months instead of 4 years) and focus just on major requirements without repeating gen eds. Also, don't sleep on work-study opportunities! Even as a second-degree student, I qualified for campus jobs that helped with living expenses while keeping my loan amounts lower. The psychology to CS transition is actually pretty common and valued - I met several people in my program with similar backgrounds who ended up in really cool roles like UX research, human-computer interaction, and even cybersecurity (understanding social engineering requires psychology knowledge!).

I'm just starting to explore going back to school for a second bachelor's degree myself, and this thread has been incredibly helpful! I'm in a similar situation - graduated with a liberal arts degree a few years ago and now looking at more technical fields. One thing I'm curious about that I haven't seen mentioned yet - has anyone dealt with the timing of when to apply for financial aid? Like, should I be completing my FAFSA before I even get accepted to programs, or wait until I know where I'm going? And if I'm planning to start in fall 2026, when should I be starting this whole process? Also wondering about the impact on credit scores or debt-to-income ratios when you're taking on additional student loans for a second degree. I'm hoping to buy a house in the next few years and want to make sure I'm thinking through all the financial implications. The psychology to CS transition stories are really inspiring! It's amazing how skills from one field can actually be valuable in unexpected ways. Makes me feel more confident about potentially making a similar pivot myself.

I'm currently going through this exact process right now! Just submitted my FAFSA for a second bachelor's in computer science after finishing my sociology degree in 2022. One thing I wish I'd known earlier - definitely reach out to multiple schools' financial aid offices because they handle second-degree students very differently. Some schools have dedicated advisors who specialize in post-baccalaureate students, while others just lump you in with regular transfers and the staff gets confused. Also, I discovered that some CS programs specifically recruit career changers from social science backgrounds! The program I'm applying to actually has partnerships with local tech companies who value the research and analytical skills we bring. They told me that psychology/sociology majors often excel in areas like data analysis, user research, and product development because we understand human behavior and research methodology. One practical tip - if you're worried about the debt load, consider looking for CS programs that offer co-op opportunities or have strong industry connections for internships. The program I'm looking at guarantees paid internships after your first year, which could help offset some of the loan costs while you're still in school. Best of luck with your transition! It's scary but also exciting to be making this kind of change. The fact that you're researching thoroughly shows you're approaching this thoughtfully.

I'm actually in the middle of this process right now and wanted to share some real-world experience! I graduated with my psychology degree in 2020 and just got approved for federal loans for my second bachelor's in data science. A few things that really helped me: 1. Called the financial aid office at my target school directly instead of relying on general advisors - they knew exactly how to handle second-degree applications 2. Had to provide transcripts from my first degree to prove I hadn't exceeded aggregate loan limits 3. My remaining loan eligibility was about $29k as an independent student (I had used about $28k for my first degree) 4. The school coded me as a "second bachelor's" student which was different from regular transfers One surprise - several data science professors I spoke with were actually excited about my psychology background! They said the experimental design and statistical analysis skills from psych research are exactly what they need in data science programs. Plus, understanding human behavior is becoming super valuable in areas like data ethics and user experience. The hardest part was honestly just figuring out the financial aid process since every advisor gave me different information. But once I got connected with someone who specialized in post-bac students, everything moved smoothly. Don't give up if the first person you talk to seems confused - keep asking until you find someone who knows the system!

I'm actually working in tech now after making a similar transition from psychology to computer science, and I wanted to offer some perspective from the other side! I graduated with my psych degree in 2018, went back for CS, and now work as a UX researcher at a major tech company. First, yes - you can absolutely get federal loans for a second bachelor's. I had about $25k from my first degree and was able to get additional loans up to my remaining aggregate limit. The key is working directly with your target school's financial aid office, not general advisors who often don't understand the process. But here's what I wish someone had told me: your psychology background is actually HUGELY valuable in tech right now. Companies are desperately looking for people who understand human behavior and can bridge the gap between technical teams and users. I've found my research methods training, statistical analysis skills, and understanding of cognitive psychology to be just as important as my coding skills. Some advice for making this transition smoother: - Look specifically for CS programs with strong HCI (human-computer interaction) components - Consider UX/UI tracks within CS programs - perfect blend of psych + tech - Many companies will pay for coding bootcamps if you can get hired as a UX researcher first - Network with other psychology → tech career changers (there are tons of us!) The debt is scary, but the career prospects are amazing. My salary more than doubled after the transition, which made the loan payments very manageable. Happy to answer any specific questions about the transition or job market!

I'm just starting to research this exact situation myself! Psychology degree from 2019 and considering going back for either CS or data analytics. This thread has been absolutely invaluable - I had no idea about the FAFSA quirk of selecting "1st Bachelor's Degree" or that there were post-baccalaureate programs specifically designed for career changers. What's really encouraging me is hearing from so many people who've successfully made the psychology to tech transition. I always worried that my "soft science" background would be seen as irrelevant, but it sounds like research methods, statistical analysis, and understanding human behavior are actually in high demand in tech fields. A few questions for this community: 1. For those who've completed the transition - how long did your programs take? Were you able to get credit for any previous coursework? 2. Has anyone looked into online vs. in-person programs for a second bachelor's? I'm wondering if online might be more cost-effective. 3. Are there any specific certifications or skills I should start building now while I'm still researching programs? Thanks to everyone who's shared their experiences - it's exactly the kind of real-world advice you can't get from official sources. The psychology to tech pipeline seems way more common than I realized!

I'm currently in the exact same situation - psychology degree from 2020 and looking at going back for computer science! This thread has been incredibly helpful and reassuring. I had $24k in loans from my first degree and was really worried I wouldn't qualify for more federal aid. What's giving me the most confidence is hearing from people like @Debra Bai who successfully made the transition and found their psychology background to be a huge asset in tech. The research methods and stats training we got really does seem to translate well to areas like UX research and data analysis. One thing I'm struggling with is deciding between a full second bachelor's vs trying to find a master's program that accepts non-CS majors. The master's route seems faster and might have better funding options, but I'm concerned about missing fundamental CS concepts. Has anyone else weighed these options? Also want to echo what others have said about talking directly to financial aid offices at your target schools. The general advisors at my local community college gave me completely wrong information, but when I called the CS department directly at a state university, they were super knowledgeable about second-degree student processes and even mentioned they actively recruit psychology majors! Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences - it's so much more valuable than anything I could find in official resources. The psychology to tech pipeline is definitely more common and supported than I initially thought!

I'm in a very similar situation and this thread has been a goldmine of information! I graduated with a psychology degree in 2021 and have been working in social services, but I'm realizing I need something with better career prospects and salary potential. Computer science keeps coming up as a natural fit given our research and analytical backgrounds. What's been most helpful from reading everyone's experiences is learning that the federal loan eligibility isn't as restrictive as I feared. I have about $26k from my first degree, so it sounds like I should still have room under the aggregate limits as an independent student. The tip about selecting "1st Bachelor's Degree" on the FAFSA despite it being technically my second is so important - I definitely would have gotten that wrong! I'm particularly encouraged by all the success stories from psychology → tech career changers. It's reassuring to hear that our research methods training and understanding of human behavior are actually valued in tech fields rather than seen as irrelevant. The UX research and product management paths sound especially appealing. One question for those who've been through this process - did any of you consider accelerated programs or intensive tracks specifically designed for career changers? I've seen some programs advertised as 12-18 months instead of the full 4 years, but I'm not sure if they offer the same federal aid options or if they're worth considering over a traditional bachelor's program. Thanks to everyone for sharing their real-world experiences - this is exactly the kind of practical advice you can't get anywhere else!

I'm currently going through this exact process and wanted to add some practical tips that have helped me! I have a psychology degree from 2019 and am starting my CS program this fall. One thing that really made a difference was creating a spreadsheet to track my remaining loan eligibility across different schools. Since I had about $27k from my first degree, I calculated that I had roughly $30k remaining as an independent student. This helped me budget realistically for different program options. Also, I discovered that many state schools have "pathway" programs specifically for career changers that include both prerequisite courses AND the actual degree coursework in one package. This was key because it meant I could get federal aid for the prerequisite math and science courses I needed, rather than having to pay out of pocket for those separately. The psychology background has been such an asset during the application process! I emphasized my research experience, statistical analysis skills, and understanding of user behavior in my personal statements. Several admissions counselors mentioned that they specifically value students who can bridge technical and human-centered perspectives. One unexpected benefit - I qualified for some diversity scholarships aimed at increasing representation of social science backgrounds in STEM fields. Definitely worth researching these kinds of opportunities! The loan process was much smoother than expected once I connected with the right financial aid advisor. Don't give up if the first person seems confused - keep asking until you find someone who specializes in second-degree students.