The process of completing your online Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form isn’t always easy. But for the 2024-25 school year, the Department of Education is working toward making it easier. Expect fewer questions and an overall simpler experience. Below is a look at just some of the changes you can expect when the form becomes available.
New opening date for the FAFSA form.
The FAFSA form typically becomes available for families on Oct. 1 for the following school year. This year, the form will be available in December as implementation of changes for the 2024-25 school year is completed.
That doesn’t mean you should wait until December to get yourself ready. In addition to familiarizing yourself with the process, consider creating your FSA ID sooner rather than later. If you already have an FSA ID, make sure you can log in. Forgot your username or password? Follow the links on the login page to get your credentials through your verified email address or phone number.
State deadlines will also become available in December. Keep in mind that college or career schools may have different deadlines. So, it’s important to check with your school to make sure you meet the necessary deadlines for completing the FAFSA form.
An FSA ID is required for all contributors.
Starting with the 2024-25 school year, all contributors to a student’s FAFSA form will need an FSA ID. This includes the student, the student’s spouse, a biological or adoptive parent, or the parent’s spouse. Anyone who is required to provide information on the student’s online FAFSA form will need an FSA ID to access their section.
Remember, this is your digital signature. So, it’s important for parents and students to keep their FSA IDs separate and to not share them with anyone.
Consent and approval to transfer federal tax information is required for all contributors.
All contributors must provide consent and approval for their federal tax information to be transferred directly into the student’s online FAFSA form. This will occur via direct data exchange with the IRS.
If consent and approval is not provided, and the information is entered manually, the form will still be accepted. However, the Student Aid Index will not be calculated, making the student ineligible for federal student aid.
Other changes to expect:
- Students can list up to 20 colleges instead of 10 on their online form.
- Students and parents will see specific questions related to them when logging in to complete their portion of the online form. They will not see each other’s questions.
- The number of family members in college is no longer a factor in the need analysis.
- Contributors without a Social Security number can create a StudentAid.gov account to complete their portion of the student’s FAFSA form online.
For more information about the FAFSA process, visit StudentAid.gov.
