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2024-2025 FAFSA Changes

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is being redesigned for the 2024–2025 academic year.

The FAFSA Simplification Act, passed in 2020, aims to streamline the application process, create a better user experience, and reduce barriers while expanding student eligibility for financial aid.

What You Need to Know Now

  • The 2024–25 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®) form is available periodically as part of the Department of Ed's soft launch.
    • During the soft launch, the FAFSA form will be available for short periods of time while ED monitors site performance and form functionality.
    • If the FAFSA form is unavailable when you or your family members try to access it, please try again later.
  • You should create a Financial Student Aid (FSA) ID for each of your FAFSA contributors. Under the new changes, a contributor refers to anyone who provides information on your FAFSA form, including you (the student), your spouse, your parent, or your parent's spouse. Follow Federal Student Aid's tutorial video to create an FSA ID [video].
  • Financial aid offers are expected in late Spring to early Summer 2024.

Keep an eye on student communications and our website for updates as they're available.

What are the changes to the FAFSA?

These changes impact financial aid eligibility for Fall 2024, Spring 2025, and Summer 2025 terms. The 2024–25 FAFSA form expands eligibility for federal student aid, including Pell Grants, and provides a streamlined user experience.

Key changes include:

  • Fewer questions: The new FAFSA will have a maximum of 46 questions instead of the previous maximum of 108.
  • Streamlined process: Your IRS tax information will be automatically transferred to your application through the IRS Direct Data Exchange.
  • New terminology: Expected Family Contribution (EFC) will now be Student Aid Index (SAI). The new FAFSA also introduces the new term "contributor", which refers to anyone who provides information on your FAFSA form, including you (the student), your spouse, your parent, or your parent's spouse.
  • Increased flexibility for unusual circumstances: If you are in foster care, homeless, an unaccompanied youth, or cannot provide parental information, you can complete the form with a provisional independent student determination and receive a calculated SAI.
  • Expanded Pell Grant eligibility: Awards will be based on family size, adjusted gross income (AGI), and poverty guidelines.
  • Updates for divorced/separated parents: The new FAFSA requires information from the parent who provided the most financial support in the last 12 months instead of the parent who you lived with most in the last 12 months.
  • New asset reporting requirements: Family farms and small businesses must be reported as assets.

What happens after you submit?

When you submit your completed 2024–25 FAFSA form, you’ll get an email confirming that ED received your form with preliminary information related to your eligibility for federal student aid. This will include your estimated Student Aid Index (SAI) and estimated eligibility for Federal Pell Grants.

ED will provide your FAFSA eligibility information to your school(s) and state in late January, so you will have ample time to fill out the form and do not need to rush to complete the form during the soft launch. Once your school(s) receive your FAFSA information, they will provide you with personalized aid information in the coming weeks. Until your school(s) and state receive your form, they won’t be able to answer questions about your aid eligibility or status.

ED will send you an email when your FAFSA information has been sent to your selected schools and when you can access your FAFSA Submission Summary on StudentAid.gov. The FAFSA Submission Summary will provide your official SAI calculation and Federal Pell Grant eligibility. You can also check the status of your FAFSA form on StudentAid.gov in late January.

How can I learn more about the changes to the FAFSA?

Visit the Federal Student Aid website to learn more about the upcoming changes.

You can also:

What if I have more questions?

Email Financial Aid at financialaid@grayson.edu.