FAFSA Changes & Workshops

Student Aid Index (SAI) will replace Expected Family Contributions (EFC)

The SAI is an evaluation of the financial resources that students and families may have available to contribute toward a student's educational expenses. Among the many changes, the formula removes the number of family members in college from the calculation, allows a minimum SAI of -1500, and implements separate eligibility determination criteria for Federal Pell Grants.

Expanded Access to Federal Student Aid and Streamlined FAFSA Form

The FAFSA Simplification Act extends Federal Pell Grants to more students and links eligibility to family size and the federal poverty level. It mandates that where possible, the U.S. Department of Education use federal tax information received directly from the IRS to calculate a student's Pell Grant eligibility and SAI. The number of questions on the FAFSA was reduced from 108 to 46 and due to the dynamic application, some applicants won't be presented with all 46 questions.

The 24-25 FAFSA will open December 31, 2023

Due to the system changes, the application will open on December 31, 2023 instead of October 1. Starting with 25-26, the application will open on October 1. 

FAFSA Contributors

"Contributor" is a new term you should become familiar with, it refers to anyone who is required to provide their information and signature on the FAFSA form. A contributor may include the student, the student's spouse, a biological or adoptive parent, and/or the parent's spouse (stepparent).

Federal Student Aid ID (FSA ID)

Everyone contributing to the FAFSA form online must have their own FSA ID (username and password). Each contributor, including the student, will access their account and portion of the application with their own FSA ID. Individuals who already have a FSA ID do not need to create a new one. Individuals who are contributing to the FAFSA without a social security number will also need to create a FSA ID. Those individuals can begin creating their FSA ID when the application opens on December 31, 2023.

Financial Aid Direct Data Exchange

All students and contributors must provide consent and approval to have their federal tax information transferred directly into the FAFSA form via direct data exchange with the IRS. The federal tax information will be used to determine the student's eligibility for federal student aid. Even if individuals did not file, they must still provide consent. If a student or contributor doesn't provide consent and approval, the student will not be eligible for federal student aid. 

Federal Student Aid

Launch of the 2024-25 FAFSA Form

2024-2025 FAFSA Help

Videos

Preparing for the FAFSA Form

2024-25 FAFSA FAQs

FSA ID

To assist student and families with the FAFSA, the FRCC Financial Aid Office will be hosting several workshops throughout the spring. Check the events calendar for more information!

July 18th

FAFSA Workshops are also available at the Wolf Pack Registration Events.

What to Bring:

• FSA ID
• FAFSA Contributor Information (Name, Date of Birth, Social Security Number - if applicable)
• 2022 Federal Tax Return, 2022 W-2 Forms
• Social Security Number/Alien Registration Number