Student Financial Aid

August 18, 2023

2024-25 FAFSA and FAFSA Simplification

The FAFSA application and delivery system is changing for 2024-25.  As a result, the application will not be available until December. To accommodate this later availability, we are extending our FAFSA/WASFA priority filing date to February 28th, 2024. Please stay tuned for more details as they are released.  

The FAFSA Simplification Act represents a significant overhaul of the processes and systems used to award federal student aid starting with the 2024–25 award year. This includes the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®) form, need analysis, and many policies and procedures for schools that participate in federal student aid programs. 

These changes are aimed at making it easier for students and their families to apply for financial aid with a more streamlined application process.  

Key changes 

  • Availability – the FAFSA will be available in December 2023. The exact date to come.  
  • More streamlined application process with fewer questions, and an easier way to transfer the tax information directly from IRS. 
  • Student Aid Index (SAI) replaces the term Expected Family Contribution (EFC). 
  • New terminology – you will notice new terminology being used in the application and aid eligibility process. 

Terminology changes 

  • Contributor: anyone who is asked to provide information on the FAFSA – student, student spouse, parent(s), and stepparent(s) for example. 
  • Consent: each contributor will now need to provide their consent to their Federal Tax Information (FTI) being included in the FAFSA, even if they did not file a U.S. tax return. 
  • SAI: Student Index Aid (SAI) replaces the Expected Family Contribution (EFC). 
  • FTI: Federal Tax Information (FTI) transferred directly from the IRS. 

Changes to the application 

  • The number of questions on the FAFSA will be reduced. 
  • For students whose parents are divorced or separated, the Custodial Parent on your FAFSA will be the parent who provides you with the most financial support and will no longer be the parent with whom you lived with the most over the past 12 months. 
  • Each contributor (student, student spouse, parent(s) and/or stepparent) will have to provide consent.  
  • If any contributor does not provide their consent the Student Aid Index (SAI) will not be calculated, and we will not be able to determine your eligibility for financial aid. 
  • Foster, homeless, and unaccompanied youth—as well as applicants who cannot provide parental information—will be able to complete the form with a provisional independent student determination and receive a calculated SAI. 
  • Students can list up to 20 schools on their FAFSA via the online application. 

Other changes 

  • A direct data share with the IRS will replace what is currently known as the IRS Data Retrieval Tool (DRT). 
  • Resources for completing the FAFSA form will be expanded to the 11 most common languages spoken in the United States. 

Please continue to check back as we will update this page as we receive more information so we can continue to help you and your family navigate the new application process.