FAFSA 2024-25 Rundown

Update on the FAFSA 2024-25 Applicati

The 2024-25 FAFSA

UPDATED: 12/07/23 & 11/26/24

Key FAFSA Changes Not Previously Reported

  • With the launch of the 2024-25 FAFSA application, students have more control.
  • The student must initiate the application process.
  • If parent/guardian information is required, each parent must be invited as a contributor.
  • Any application that is dormant for 45 days will be deleted. The student will be required to start from the beginning.

We’ve added three new reference links to the end of this post.

This just in on 11/15/23

The improved FAFSA form will be available for students and parents by Dec. 31, 2023. Students who complete the form will receive a confirmation and see their estimated student aid eligibility. 

This just 11/14/24

The improved FAFSA form will be available for students and parents by Dec. 31, 2023. Students who complete the form will receive a confirmation and see their estimated student aid eligibility. 

If you’ve had trouble keeping up with the changes to college financial aid, here’s a FAFSA 2024-25 rundown.

We’ve compiled a list of the most pertinent changes affecting students and families. We examined many of them in previous videos and posts but included a few previously unreferenced revisions in this post.

Some of the changes were phased in over the last two years. The ones specific to the 2024-25 school year are noted.

***UPDATE: The U.S. Department of Education announced that the FAFSA application for the 2024-25 school year will be released in December – not October 1.***

Institutional Preparation is Underway

On September 29, 2023, a prototype of the 2024-25 FAFSA was released to FSA Partners (for college financial aid administrators). It has limited functionality, but it signals some progress is being made. 

Additional information and preparation continue for financial aid administrators, but as of 11/03/23, there is no update on when the new application will be released to the public.

It is unclear what impact a November government shutdown will have on the release and processing of FAFSA applications, but a negative impact is likely.

McCarthy’s Ouster Raises Likelihood of a Government Shutdown (msn.com)

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Bad News for Families with Multiple College Students

Multiple College Students - FAFSA

This is directed to families with multiple college students still enrolled in 2024-25.

The preliminary case studies from the National Association of Financial Aid Administrators for the new Student Aid Index (SAI) formula are out. This is the final phase of the implementation of the FAFSA Simplification Act of 2021.

Eliminating the multi-student discount is about to become a reality for thousands of families in the United States with college-age children.

The impact on these families is not good. Some would deem it devastating.

2024-25 FAFSA Changes

BONUS: For background information and in-depth understanding of the new FAFSA,  after reading the full blog post, view our “How Will the Changes to FAFSA Impact You?” on our Education Unpacked YouTube Channel. College financial expert, Robert Falcon founder of College Funding Solutions provides details and guidance for parents/students.

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2023-24 Financial Aid Season

Top portion of financial aid application with pen in view.

The 2023-24 Financial Aid Season

October 1 marks the beginning of the 2023-24 financial aid season for college students. The Free Application for Federal Aid (FAFSA) and the College Scholarship Service (CSS) Profile open on this date.

 

To qualify for federal, state, and institutional financial aid, students and, in most cases, their parent(s) must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Depending on what schools the student is applying to, the CSS Profile may also be required.  

 

Financial aid can be in the form of grants, scholarships, work-study, and loans. (It is best to avoid loans whenever possible.) Financial aid packages usually include some combination of two or more of the listed items.

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