Should I use my old FAFSA account or create a new one for returning to school?

Definitely use your existing FSA ID! The system is designed for you to keep the same ID throughout your entire education journey. Creating a new one could actually cause problems with your records and previous loan history. Just log in and update your contact information and personal details if anything has changed since you last used it.

same boat last year!! used my old one from 2018 and it worked fine just had 2 update my address and phone #

You should absolutely use your existing FSA ID. Here's why: 1. Your FSA ID is linked to your Social Security Number, so creating a new one would be flagged in the system 2. Your previous financial aid history is tied to that account 3. Any outstanding loans are associated with your original FSA ID 4. The system is specifically designed for long-term use across your educational career Just log in to studentaid.gov and update your profile information. If you can't remember your password, use the "Forgot Password" feature rather than creating a new account. Even if your information is outdated, that's much easier to fix than the problems created by having multiple accounts.

I tried making a new account when I went back to school and it was a NIGHTMARE. Just use ur old one trust me

LITERALLY JUST DEALT WITH THIS LAST MONTH!!! I went back after 7 years away and tried making a new FSA ID because I forgot my old login. BIG MISTAKE!! Spent 3 weeks trying to get it fixed because the system kept saying my SSN was already linked to an account. Had to call FSA like 20 times and kept getting disconnected. They finally fixed it but my SAI calculation was delayed and I almost missed priority deadlines. DO NOT CREATE A NEW ACCOUNT!!

I just went back to school this year after dropping out in 2019! Definitely use your original FSA ID. You'll need to update personal info like your address, phone, email, etc. if that's changed. The system will also likely ask you for updated tax information when you complete the FAFSA form. One thing to be aware of - if you previously used up a significant amount of your Pell Grant eligibility during your first college attempt, you may have limited Pell eligibility remaining. Pell Grants have a lifetime limit equivalent to 6 years of full-time enrollment. Also, if you have existing student loans, check if they're in good standing because that can affect your new aid eligibility.

did u ever figure out your password?? sometimes they expire after a while

My cousin works in a financial aid office and she says they deal with this ALL THE TIME. Lot of returning students try to create new accounts and it causes all kinds of problems with their SAI calculation. Definitely use your old account and just update your info!

One more thing to be aware of - if your income has changed significantly since you were last in school, make sure that's reflected accurately on your new FAFSA. The 2025-2026 FAFSA uses the 2023 tax year information, but if you've had major changes since then (job loss, significant decrease in income), you can request a professional judgment review from your school's financial aid office after submitting your FAFSA.

As someone who works in financial aid, I can confirm what everyone else is saying - definitely use your existing FSA ID! One additional tip: when you log back in after 5 years, the system might prompt you to verify your identity again for security purposes. This is normal and just requires answering some personal verification questions. Also, if you're planning to take out federal loans again, your loan entrance counseling from your previous enrollment might have expired, so you'll likely need to complete that requirement again before your loans can be disbursed. Good luck with going back to school!

Just want to echo what everyone else is saying - definitely stick with your original FSA ID! I made the mistake of trying to create a new one when I returned to school after 4 years and it was such a headache. The system flagged it immediately and I had to spend weeks on the phone getting it sorted out. Your original account is designed to follow you throughout your entire educational journey, no matter how many breaks you take. The only thing you'll need to do is update your personal information like address, phone number, and email if those have changed. Much easier than dealing with duplicate account issues!

I went through this exact same situation when I returned to college after a 6-year gap! Definitely use your existing FSA ID - I was so worried about the same thing you mentioned with outdated info, but it turned out to be no big deal at all. The system actually prompted me to update everything that had changed (new address, phone, marital status, etc.) when I logged back in. It was actually kind of nice having everything connected to my original account because I could see my full financial aid history. One tip: if you have trouble remembering your login info after so long, the account recovery process is pretty straightforward. Just don't be tempted to create a new account like I almost did - glad I found forums like this one that talked me out of it! Welcome back to school - you've got this!

I just wanted to jump in here as another returning student! I'm in a very similar boat - took a 4-year break and was having the same exact worries about my old FSA ID. Reading through all these responses has been so helpful and reassuring. It's amazing how many of us are in the same situation! I was definitely leaning toward creating a new account because I thought my old one might cause problems, but now I'm 100% convinced to stick with the original. Thanks to everyone who shared their experiences - this community is awesome for nervous returning students like us. @Amina Diop, best of luck with your return to school! We've got this! 💪

Welcome back to school! As someone who also returned after a long break, I can definitely relate to your concerns. Everyone here has given you excellent advice - definitely stick with your original FSA ID! I wanted to add one thing that helped me when I returned after 3 years: make sure to check your NSLDS (National Student Loan Data System) account as well to review any existing loans and their status. It's good to know exactly where you stand financially before starting your new FAFSA. Also, don't forget that as a returning student, you might be eligible for different types of aid than you were before - especially if your life circumstances have changed significantly. Your school's financial aid office will be your best resource for navigating any unique situations. Good luck with everything - returning to finish your degree takes courage and you should be proud of taking this step!

I'm another returning student who went through this exact same dilemma! Took a 3-year break and was so worried about my old FSA ID having problems. But everyone here is absolutely right - stick with your original account! When I logged back in, the system walked me through updating everything that had changed step by step. It was actually really smooth. The one thing I wish someone had told me was to gather all my updated documents first (new address info, current employer details, etc.) before logging in so I could update everything at once. Also, if you're like me and completely blanked on your security questions, the identity verification process they have now is pretty straightforward - just be patient with it. Congrats on going back to finish your degree - it's such an exciting (and slightly terrifying) step, but you're making the right choice!