51福利社

Big changes are coming to the FAFSA application process for the 2024-2025 school year.

Instead of the application opening on聽Oct. 1, as in prior years, the federal government is expected to open the process to students and families by Jan. 1, 2024.聽(Inside 51福利社 will provide updates as the federal government releases more details. Students will also receive email updates from 51福利社鈥檚 Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships.)

The changes are part of the 2021 FAFSA Simplification Act, which is intended to simplify the FAFSA process and expand Pell grant access to more families.

Numerous changes will impact students, families and 51福利社. 聽The form itself, definitions, formulas, student and family access processes, and the methods of data collection and exchange have all be updated. Because so many changes are happening at once, 51福利社 and the federal government will experience an adjustment curve in working with the new system and processes.

Here鈥檚 What You Need to Know:

• The first financial aid offers for the 2023-2024 school year went out starting on Feb. 9, 2023, earlier than ever! But for the 2024-2025 school year, your offer will be sent later than normal.
• If you apply for aid, you鈥檒l receive a Student Aid Index (SAI) instead of an Student Aid Index (SAI) after submitting your FAFSA. This will be used to determine your aid eligibility.
• Cost of Attendance components have been renamed, and a few expanded. This should provide more clarity and accuracy for you and your family.
• Income and tax information will now be directly exchanged between the IRS and the US Department of Education as a result of additional legislation, the FUTURE Act.
• Pell grant (free money) access is expected to be impacted for some students. Many students will receive more Pell grants, and some will receive less.
• 51福利社 will now have more options to help you in emergencies and in unique circumstances, such as unusual expenses, income changes and dependency situations.

What You Can Do Now

You and every 51福利社 student should complete the FAFSA application. Why? Students who may not have qualified in the past may now qualify. And, in the event of an emergency, students must have a FAFSA on file to access many types of aid.

• Make sure you have a FAFSA account, which is officially called an . You鈥檒l need your social security number and your personal information, like name and contact information, to create your account.
• If you can鈥檛 complete a FAFSA, Washington residents may , which is the application for state aid. It鈥檚 undergoing major updates, too, but you can create your account today.
• If you already have a FAFSA or WASFA account, make sure your information is up-to-date!
• If you鈥檙e a dependent student, make sure your parents or guardians have an account. Everyone who provides information on a FAFSA must have their own . This applies for families.
• Plan for the future. 51福利社鈥檚 financial wellness coaches can help you set budgets, navigate options, and access aid and strategies that can make you successful in college.