2024-25 FAFSA-UPDATE
We’re presenting a 2024-25 FAFSA update to students and their families. This information is based on an email received at 2:36 AM on 12/02/23 from the FSA Partner Connect – Weekly Knowledge Center Update.
♦♦12/29/23♦♦
Below is what appears on the login page. The application should be live with limited access through the holiday weekend.
By now, you should know that the new FAFSA includes significant changes to income reporting and financial aid calculation.
If you’re unfamiliar with the changes, read our FAFSA 2024-25 Rundown. Watch the Education Unpacked “The Changes to FAFSA 2024-25 You Don’t Know About But Should” video to learn how these changes may impact you and how you can prepare and offset some of the negative impacts.
By December 31, 2023 is the only commitment made by Federal Student Aid.
December 31 is a Sunday before a federal holiday.
If the application is released on Friday, December 29, it is unlikely help will be available over the holiday weekend.
Historically, there have been hiccups during the early days of a new FAFSA application. This year may experience more widespread issues due to the first use of a new system.
12/15/23 Announcement from FSA Partner
The end-of-the-year FAFSA release will be a “soft launch.”
- Contributors may be placed in waiting rooms to avoid system overload.
- There will be periodic scheduled maintenance.
- Student/family information will be delivered to universities in late January.
When attempting to access the FSA Partners website, this is what appeared the last two weekends. Note: This is not the Federal Student Aid website, where students and their families file the FAFSA.
Click here for the complete announcement from FSA Partners.
According to the information posted online by FSA, training is an ongoing process that will continue after the release of the new application.
Consider waiting a few days or longer before taking the plunge. The latest FSA Partners update indicates the expected peak in application filings will be late January into February.
Award Estimator Available
Want to take a peek at what you might receive?
Use the Federal Student Aid Estimator to view how much you may be eligible for. It is only an estimate – not a guarantee of a student’s award.
While You’re Waiting
Have everything else completed.
If this will be your first time completing the FAFSA, be sure to obtain your FSA ID ahead of the FAFSA release.
If you haven’t filed your state financial aid application, be sure to do so.
Check what your state’s deadline is to receive FAFSA information and what, if any, allowances they’re making for the delay.
Use this link to see your state’s deadline: FAFSA® Application | Federal Student Aid
Scroll to the bottom and type in your state.
Note: The website hasn’t been updated for the 2024-25 school year. Add a year to the date shown.
If you haven’t already, file the CSS Profile if required by any college on your list.
Have You Heard from FSA?
This screenshot was taken directly from the website.
Click to enlarge.
We would like to know if any student/family has received the referenced communication from FSA. Please let us know in the comment section.
People we have spoken to say the communications have been scant to not received.
The Good News
The application process should return to normal for the 2025-26 FAFSA with the application being released on October 1.
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