Changes to the 2024-2025 FAFSA application, that will simplify the application process and affect eligibility for financial aid benefits, will be in effect by December.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
While the exact nature of the changes are still being finalized, its purpose is to provide students and parents with information in a direct and effective manner.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe overall attempt is to make it simpler for families to understand and fill out,\u201d Jason Avila, the financial aid director said.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Applicants will be required to share their tax income information from the IRS with the Department of Education. This will give applicants the ability to transfer information directly to the FAFSA form, rather than having to enter everything manually. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWe want to roll this out to as many students as possible,\u201d financial aid specialist Benjamin Chase said. \u201cTo have information be directly from federal government sources so students don\u2019t have to try to figure out what this is or where it came from.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
These changes come as a result of the FUTURE Act, passed by Congress in December 2019, which simplifies FAFSA applications by reducing the number of questions students need to answer. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThere were a lot of questions that weren\u2019t applicable anymore,\u201d Avila said. \u201cMany students avoided applying for financial aid services because the process was so daunting.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The changes will also affect how the federal government determines eligibility for financial aid. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe Student Aid Index (SAI) will go all the way down to -1,500 instead of stopping at zero,\u201d said Avila. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
This number will replace the Expected Family Contribution (EFC), and will be used to calculate the amount of aid a student will receive based on their financial needs. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
For example, an applicant with an SAI of zero or lower has a greater chance of receiving more federal aid. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Eligibility for The Pell Grant will now be calculated based on the number of credits a student is enrolled in for that period, said Avila. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Additionally, Avila said the new application will no longer take into account the number of family members in college.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
FAFSA applications are typically available to students beginning Oct. 1, but because of the incoming changes, the forms will not be available until December. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
This period of uncertainty has made communicating with students stressful. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cHistorically, we do workshops and presentations so students know what they need to get and who they can meet with,\u201d Chase said. \u201cBut because they haven\u2019t finalized those changes, we haven\u2019t been able to do any of that.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Avila said: \u201cA lot of things are still changing on a day to day basis. We haven\u2019t seen the new forms yet.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Despite the unpredictability, resources are available to help students with any questions they may have. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cMore workshops will be coming in January and February, and computers are available at both campuses,\u201d said Avila. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Chase said students should make sure their Federal Student Aid (FSA) information, including date of birth, social security number and 2022 tax information is up to date for a smoother application process. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWe have to be flexible,\u201d said Avila. \u201cIt\u2019s allowing (the financial aid department) extra time and students extra time to navigate these changes together.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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