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FAFSA Changes 2024-2025

How the FAFSA Simplification Act Affects You

Big changes are coming to the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) application for the 2024-2025 aid year! 

The FAFSA Simplification Act was passed by Congress in 2020 and represents a significant overhaul 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 federal aid eligibility, changes in terminology, and many policies and procedures for schools that participate in federal student aid programs.

2024-2025 FAFSA Available in December 2023

Historically, the FAFSA has been available beginning October 1st each year. However, because of significant changes to the application and the overhaul of the FAFSA processing system, the 2024-25 FAFSA will be available by December 31, 2023.

What's changing with the FAFSA?

There are a number of benefits of the FAFSA simplification act, including a more streamlined application process and a better user experience for the FAFSA, expanded eligibility for federal student aid, and reduced barriers for certain student populations (e.g., homeless and unaccompanied youth, incarcerated students, English language learners, and students from low-income backgrounds).

Some fundamental changes include, but are not limited to:

 

What isn't changing with the FAFSA?

While the FAFSA is receiving an update and the aid eligibility calculation has been revised, there are several aid-related matters that will not change. 

  • The FAFSA will still be required for consideration of federal and state financial aid every year.
  • The general types of aid available to MGA students and federal student loan limits will not change.
  • Dependency status questions that determine if your parent(s) must complete the FAFSA will remain the same.
  • The FAFSA will still request tax information from the prior-prior year, which means you'll report 2022 income and assets on your 2024-25 application. Families with significant reductions in income can consider submitting an appeal.
  • The questions regarding an applicant's gender, race, and ethnicity will have no effect on federal student aid eligibility and are included for statistical purposes and data collection only. In fact, MGA won't even receive this data from the FAFSA. 

When should the 2024-25 FAFSA be submitted?

New and returning students who plan to begin classes at Middle Georgia State University in the fall of 2024 should complete the FAFSA as soon as it becomes available in December.  

What happens after the 2024-2025 FAFSA is submitted?

After an applicant completes the online FAFSA, they will receive a confirmation email that will include their estimated Student Aid Index (SAI) and Federal Pell Grant eligibility, along with a follow-up email.

When will a student’s financial aid eligibility be determined?

Schools will begin receiving aid eligibility information by the end of January 2024. Students will be able to make corrections and updates in the weeks following the release of information to colleges and universities.

Preparation Checklist for the 2425 FAFSA

  • Be sure you and your parent(s) have an FSA ID.
    • This is a unique username and password that will need to be used to electronically sign the FAFSA.
    • Information on creating an FSA ID is available here: FSA ID
    • If an FSA ID has been created, but information has changed, please make updates prior to completing the FAFSA in December.
  • Have your 2022 federal tax documents easily accessible in December when the FAFSA becomes available.
  • All contributors of financial information on the FAFSA will need their own email address. If your parent(s), stepparent, or spouse does not have an email address, please encourage them to create a free email account today.
  • Students and contributors must provide consent for Federal Student Aid Programs to retrieve their federal tax information from the Internal Revenue Service. Failure to provide consent will result in the student applicant not being able to complete the application.
  • Stay tuned for updates on the 2425 FAFSA through this link: Launch of the 2024-25 FAFSA Form
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