FAFSA Simplification Act

Changes to Financial Aid in 2024-2025

The biggest changes in 40 years will be happening in Financial Aid starting the 2024-2025 academic year. Paying for college is already stressful, and we know this can make it feel even more confusing and overwhelming. The Financial Aid Office is prepared for these changes and will help you stay informed about your Financial Aid resources and the changes ahead.

The FAFSA Simplification Act represents a significant overhaul of the processes and systems used to award federal student aid starting with the 2024–25 award year. Some changes have already gone into effect in prior academic years, but the largest changes are occurring in 2024-25. This includes changes to the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®) form, need analysis, and many policies and procedures for schools that participate in federal student aid programs. These changes will alter how it looks for students to apply for aid through the FAFSA® form and the methodology for determining what aid students may be eligible for.

Recent FAFSA News

ISIRs Are Delayed

Posted on: February 9, 2024

The financial aid process can be tricky to navigate – especially this year, with all of the form changes the federal government has made. We want to give you an update and share some details about delays applicants will be experiencing in the coming months. First Things First If you have already submitted your FAFSA – WAY TO GO! If…

How Will this Affect You?

The 2024-2025 FAFSA® process will be different, and change is hard – We'll help you navigate

2024-2025 FAFSA Release Date

Usually, on October 1st, the new FAFSA is launched. For 2024-2025, the FAFSA® opened at the end of December 2023.

No more “EFC” (expected family contribution). Now, it’s “SAI” (student aid index)

This number measures the student and/or family’s ability to pay for college. The new need analysis formula allows for a potential SAI as low as -1500 and implements a separate eligibility criterion for determining Federal Pell Grants.

Expanded Access to Federal Pell Grant

Expanded eligibility based on family size (not including number in college) and federal poverty level will allow for more students to receive Federal Pell Grants
Incarcerated students in federal and state penal facilities may be able to receive Federal Pell Grants
Federal Pell Grant lifetime eligibility will be restored to students whose school closed when they were enrolled or if the school is found to have misled the student

Streamlined FAFSA® Form

Fewer questions will be asked, and federal tax data will automatically be transferred from the IRS starting with the 2024-25 FAFSA®

New Terminology

With the 2024-2025 FAFSA®, you will see and hear words such as contributor (anyone who is asked to provide information on the FAFSA® like a parent or spouse) and consent (each required contributor will be required to consent to their information being included on the FAFSA®).

Clarification to Question #8 on the 2024-2025 FASFA

Question: Are the student’s parents unwilling to provide their information, but the student doesn’t have an unusual circumstance, such as those listed in question 7, that prevents them from contacting the parents or obtaining their information?
Select “No” if: The parent(s) will provide their information on the FASFA Form.
Select “Yes” if: The parent(s) is/are unwilling to provide their information on the FASFA Form.