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FAFSA Simplification

Big changes are coming to the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) application for the upcoming 2024-2025 aid year! Student Financial Aid will update this page as information is made available.

Why is it Changing?

On Dec. 27, 2020, Congress passed the Consolidated Appropriations Act. The law includes provisions that amend the Fostering Undergraduate Talent by Unlocking Resources for Education (FUTURE) Act and includes the FAFSA Simplification Act—a sweeping redesign of the processes and systems used to award federal student aid. Specifically, the law makes it easier for students and families to complete and submit the FAFSA form and expands access to federal student aid.

What does this mean for you?

The 2024-2025 FAFSA process is going to be different from previous years. We will continue to keep you informed.

What's Changing?

2024-2025 FAFSA availability date
The FAFSA is normally available on October 1 for the following year however, for 2024-2025, the FAFSA will be available in December 2023. The exact date has not been announced.
 
EFC (Expected Family Contribution) is changing
With the 2024-2025 FAFSA, EFC will be replaced with the Student Aid Index (SAI). This is a new need analysis calculation that we will use when awarding need-based grants and scholarships.
 

Streamlined application

You’ll notice fewer questions when completing the 2024-2025 FAFSA and an easier way to transfer tax information directly from the IRS.
 
New terminology
You’ll notice a few new terms like contributor (anyone who is asked to provide information on the FAFSA, a parent or student spouse for example) and consent (each contributor will need to consent to their information being included on the FAFSA).
 

What can you do to prepare?

  1. Mark your calendar for December 2023. 
  2. Check back often for updates.
  3. This is the biggest update to the FAFSA in many years. Read more about these changes here.