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Tuesday Tips for June 2023:

Five (of the many) Changes Coming with the 2024-2025 FAFSA

Significant changes are coming to the 2024-2025 FAFSA! FAFSA simplification, being referred to as “Better FAFSA, Better Future” by Federal Student Aid (FSA), will completely revise the FAFSA form, eligibility formulas, and the processes related to filing the FAFSA. The new “Better FAFSA” will have fewer questions, be easier to complete, and have more security built into the process. Here are a few of the many changes.

1. The 2024-25 FAFSA will open in December 2023 (instead of October).

This year will mark the most significant changes to the FAFSA in 40 years! There are so many changes, the FAFSA will be delayed and will not become available until December. No specific date has been released yet but you can sign up to receive texts or emails from FAME and we will keep you in the know!

2. The 2024-25 FAFSA will be a roles-based form.

Individuals providing information on the FAFSA will see only questions related to their role. When a student logs in, they will see only the questions they need to answer as a student. For dependent students, a parent will need to log in to see the questions related to their role as a parent. Parents will not see the student questions and students will not see parent questions. Whoever starts the FAFSA first will need to identify the “contributors” - the other people who need to provide information on that FAFSA.

3. Everyone entering information on the 2024-25 FAFSA will need an FSA ID.

An FSA ID will be required of anyone accessing the FAFSA. FSA IDs will need to be created at least three days prior to starting the FAFSA as FSA ID information must be matched with the Social Security Administration before the FSA ID can be used. There will also be process for those without a Social Security Number to obtain an FSA ID. We will learn more about this process later this summer and will share that information on our website.

4. The 2024-25 FAFSA will be shorter and easier.

The current FAFSA asks over 100 questions, but the 2024-25 FAFSA will decrease the number of questions to about three dozen. Another reason why the FAFSA will be easier is because federal income tax information will come directly from the IRS. In the FAFSA there will be a checkbox for individuals to consent to having the IRS release their tax information. It is critical that everyone, including non-tax filers, check the box. A student will be ineligible for federal aid unless the box is checked.

5. Pell Grant eligibility will be expanded and more transparent.

Starting with the 2024-2025 FAFSA, the Student Aid Index (SAI) will replace the Expected Family Contribution (EFC). With the implementation of the new SAI formula, the pool of Pell eligible students will increase. Federal poverty tables will be used as one way to determine Pell Grant eligibility. Federal Student Aid recently released Pell Lookup Tables which allow students and others to easily learn whether a student meets the criteria to receive a minimum or maximum Pell Grant based on adjusted gross income and household size.

To learn more about upcoming changes to the 2024-25 FAFSA and for helpful resources to file the FAFSA, visit FAMEmaine.com/FAFSA. We’ll continue to update our website as more information becomes available. We’re here to help so please reach out to us with any questions!

For additional helpful information and resources, find previous tips on our website.

Mila Tappan, College Access and Outreach Manager

Floreka Malual, New Mainer Specialist

Jessica Whittier, College Access Counselor

Maria MacDougal, College Access Counselor

Nikki Vachon, College Access Counselor

Mary Dyer, Financial Education Programs Manager

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