Millions of high school students, college students, and adult learners complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form annually. This crucial step determines students’ eligibility for federal student aid, scholarships, grants, and loans. Recently, the U.S. Department of Education has made some significant modifications to simplify the 2024-25 FAFSA form, making it shorter, with fewer questions, and more straightforward than the previous version.
It’s important to know that currently, the 2024-25 FAFSA form is only available for short periods while the U.S. Department of Education monitors the site and makes updates.
Key changes to the 2024-25 FAFSA form include:
- FAFSA Release Date – One of the most significant changes was the launch date for the FAFSA form. Typically available in October each year, the new 2024-25 form was launched on December 31, 2023. If you plan to attend college for the 2024-25 academic year, you should complete the FAFSA form by the 2024-25 deadline of June 30, 2025; however, some states and colleges have their own deadlines for financial aid, so be sure to check with your college. Learn more about the FAFSA application deadlines.
- Contributors – Anyone who provides information on your FAFSA form, such as your biological or adoptive parent(s), your parent’s spouse (a stepparent), or your spouse, is considered a “contributor.” View this infographic to learn about contributors.
- StudentAid.gov Accounts – To start the 2024-25 FAFSA form process, you and each contributor must create individual StudentAid.gov accounts to obtain an FSA ID. You’ll use your FSA ID and password to apply for, receive, and manage your federal student aid. Students are required to enter their SSN to create an account unless they are citizens of the Freely Associated States. Contributors without an SSN can create a StudentAid.gov account to fill out their portion of your 2024-25 FAFSA online form. After you and your contributors have created accounts, you can complete your sections of the FAFSA form on your own.
- The IRS Data Retrieval Tool – It’s now required for you and all contributors to consent to import your IRS information into the 2024-25 FAFSA form. If a contributor does not consent to the import, you are not eligible to receive financial aid.
- Student Aid Index – The Expected Family Contribution was replaced by the Student Aid Index (SAI), an eligibility index number calculated using the information you and your contributors provide on the FAFSA form. Once your college or university knows your SAI, they will use it to calculate how much and what types of financial aid you are eligible for.
- More Languages – The form is now available in the 11 most common languages English learners and their families use. Previously, it was only available in English and Spanish.
- Qualifying for More Federal Pell Grants – More students are now eligible to receive a Federal Pell Grant. According to the U.S. Department of Education, 610,000 new students are eligible for the grant, allowing 1.5 million more students to receive the maximum Pell Grant award.
- FAFSA Submission Summary – After you submit your completed FAFSA form and it’s processed, you’ll receive an email with instructions on accessing your online FAFSA Submission Summary. This summary replaces the Student Aid Report. The FAFSA Submission Summary highlights your eligibility for federal student aid. It includes the answers you submitted on your FAFSA form, except for any federal tax information that was transferred using the IRS Data Retrieval Tool, your SAI, and an estimation of the amount of federal student aid that you may be eligible for. Aid offers will come directly from any schools you’ve listed on your FAFSA form and have been accepted to.
FAQs
Who should complete the FAFSA form?
Regardless of income, all students are encouraged to submit a FAFSA form.
What will I need to complete the FAFSA form?
According to the U.S. Department of Education, you will need the following information to complete the 2024-25 FAFSA form:
- Verified account username and password (FSA ID);
- Parent or spouse contributor name, date of birth, SSN, if they have one, and email address; and
- Income (tax returns) and asset information, if required. Asset information may include current cash balances, savings, checking accounts, and net worth of investments, businesses, and farms.
How long will it take to complete the FAFSA form?
The U.S. Department of Education states that it will take users less than an hour to complete the FAFSA form, including the time it takes to gather any personal documents and financial information needed.
How many colleges and universities can I list on the FAFSA form?
Now, students can list 20 colleges and universities on their FAFSA form. Previously, students were limited to listing only 10 schools.
When will I receive information about my financial aid?
The colleges listed on your FAFSA form will have access to your information and will use it to determine your eligibility. You should contact the financial aid office at the college you plan to attend for information about applying for financial aid at that college. After you have completed the college’s application requirements and the college has determined your eligibility, the college will create a financial aid award letter that will include the cost of attendance for the academic year and any grants, scholarships, work-study, or loans you are eligible to receive.
When will my selected colleges receive my 2024-25 FAFSA information?
The U.S. Department of Education will provide FAFSA submissions to selected colleges at the end of January 2024. Colleges can only determine that your FAFSA has been received a month or more after you submit your form.
How do I check the status of your online form?
Once you have started or completed your FAFSA form, you can check the status by logging into StudentAid.gov and navigating to the Status Center under “My Activity.” If you submitted a paper FAFSA form, you can check the status once the U.S. Department of Education has processed it. Paper forms are processed after online forms are processed in late January 2024.
Do I need to submit a new FAFSA for each academic year I plan to attend college?
Yes, you must submit a new form for each academic year since the form only applies to a single academic year. Make sure to mark your calendar for the upcoming state and college aid FAFSA deadlines to maximize your eligibility.
What’s the difference between grants, scholarships, loans, and work-study?
- Grants are free money awarded to students for postsecondary tuition, housing, and expenses. Grant funds may come from the federal government or state. The Pell Grant is the largest of federal grants. Grants are considered gifts and do not need to be repaid.
- Scholarships are awarded to students based on academic achievement or other criteria that may include financial need. Like grants, scholarships are considered gifts and do not need to be repaid. The Maricopa Community Colleges Foundation offers a variety of scholarships to students attending Maricopa Community Colleges. By completing just one application, you can apply for hundreds of scholarships. Apply for scholarships at www.mcccdf.org.
- Loans must be paid back and may accrue interest. Loans may come from the federal government or the state.
- Federal work-study programs allow students to take a part-time campus job as part of their financial aid package.
For Maricopa Community Colleges students planning to attend one of our 10 colleges during the 2024-25 academic year, don’t put off completing the new FAFSA form. We understand there may be a few hiccups along the way, but have patience and know you’re not alone in this process. If you need help or have questions about financial aid, reach out to the dedicated Financial Aid Office at your college campus or call 480-731-8900. Learn more about financial aid at Maricopa Community Colleges and FAFSA Simplification.