2024-25 FAFSA Changes: Have a look at the new changes

2024-25 FAFSA Changes: The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) will undergo significant revisions for the 2024-2025 aid year!

In 2020, Congress passed the FAFSA Simplification Act, which represents a significant reform of the processes and systems used to award federal student aid. This includes the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form, the need analysis that determines eligibility for federal aid, terminology changes, and numerous policies and procedures for institutions that participate in federal student aid programmes.

Historically, the FAFSA has been available each year commencing on October 1. Due to substantial modifications to the application and the reconstruction of the FAFSA processing system, the 2024-25 FAFSA will not be available until December 2023 or later. As soon as a precise date is announced, updates will be posted here.

What are the 2024-25 FAFSA Changes?

The FAFSA simplification act has a number of benefits, including a more streamlined application process and an improved user experience for the FAFSA, expanded eligibility for federal student aid, and reduced barriers for certain student populations (such as homeless and unaccompanied youth, incarcerated students, English language learners, and low-income students).

Among the fundamental alterations are, but are not limited to:

• The FAFSA will be shortened and easier to use.
• Students may list up to 20 colleges on their applications.
• The FAFSA will become accessible in additional languages.
• Applicants must utilise IRS Direct Data Exchange.
• All “contributors” are required to provide financial details.
• Expected Family Contribution (EFC) is being replaced with the Student Aid Index (SAI).
• College enrollment will not be factored into SAI calculations.
• Some students will receive a Pell Grant automatically.
• In cases of divorce or separation, the parent responsible for filing the FAFSA has changed.
• Small enterprises and family farms must be reported as assets.

What Remains the Same?

Despite the fact that the FAFSA is being updated and the aid eligibility calculation has been revised, a number of aid-related aspects will remain unchanged.

• Institutional need-based aid (including the DU Educational Grant) for undergraduates at DU will continue to be determined by the CSS Profile and not the FAFSA.
• The categories of aid generally available to DU students and the limits on federal student loans will not change.
• The FAFSA will continue to be required annually for federal and state financial aid consideration.
• The queries regarding dependency status that determine whether your parent(s) must complete the FAFSA will not change.
• The FAFSA will continue to request tax information from the prior-prior year, so you will report income and assets from 2022 on your application for 2024-25. Families with significant income reductions may contemplate filing an appeal.
• The application deadlines for admission to DU will not change.
• The questions regarding a candidate’s gender, race, and ethnicity will have no bearing on their eligibility for federal student assistance and are included solely for statistical purposes and data collection. (Duke University won’t even receive this information from the FAFSA.)

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When should I submit my FAFSA for 2024-25?

New students who intend to enrol at DU in the autumn of 2024 should submit their FAFSA application as soon as it becomes available in December. Returning DU students must submit their FAFSA by the 15th of March to meet the priority deadline. Our website contains additional information about the application process for undergraduate and graduate/law students.

We intend to begin sending aid offers to admitted DU students who have completed the aid application process within the timeframes listed below. As we receive new information from our software providers and the Department of Education, these dates are subject to change.