Changes to the FAFSA

Big changes are coming to the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) application for the upcoming 2024-2025 aid year! The Financial Aid Office will update this page as additional information is made available so that we can continue to educate students, families, and our campus community on the new processes.

The FAFSA typically opens annually on October 1. However, the 2024-2025 application will be available sometime in December 2023.

SAI
With the 2024-2025 FAFSA, the term Expected Family Contribution (EFC) will be replaced with the Student Aid Index (SAI). This is a new need analysis formula that will be used when awarding need-based grants and scholarships.

Contributor
Anyone who is asked to provide information on the FAFSA. Contributors can include the student and student’s spouse for independent students. For dependent students, the contributors can include the student, parent, and other parent.

Consent
Each contributor will need to consent to the IRS sharing their federal tax information with the FAFSA.

Fewer Questions
You’ll notice fewer questions when completing the 2024-2025 FAFSA and an easier way to transfer tax information directly from the IRS.

FAFSA Parent Could be Different
For dependent students, if your biological parents are separated or divorced, the FAFSA will require financial information from the parent who provided the most financial support to the student (previously the parent the student lived with most in the last 12 months). If that parent is remarried, you will need to include step-parent’s information on the FAFSA.

Child Support Paid Question Removed
Parent(s) and independent students will no longer report child support paid. Child support received will still be reported.

Inclusion of family farms or small businesses
When required, families will now report the net worth of their farms or businesses even if they have fewer than 100 employees.

Electronically Give Consent and Sign
All contributors should plan to sign the FAFSA and give consent electronically with their FSA ID and password. Contributors without a social security number will be able to create an FSA ID starting sometime this fall.

The student and any contributors can make sure they have their FSA ID set up and have the information needed to log in. Keep in mind that all contributors will need to sign the FAFSA electronically. You can create your FSA ID or reset your password at studentaid.gov.

  • If parents file as married filing jointly – only one parent FSA ID is required.
  • If parents are unmarried but live together or are married and filed taxes separately, both parents must have an FSA ID.
  • If student is married and filed taxes separately, student’s spouse must have an FSA ID.