The 2024-25 FAFSA form will be released in December 2023.
The new FAFSA will feature fewer questions and fewer requirements. Instead of opening in October, the 2024-25 FAFSA will not be available until December 2023. After the 2024-25 aid year, the FAFSA will be available in October as usual.
The U.S. Department of Education (ED) will announce an exact date of release before December 2023. When it is available, the student and their contributors will be able to complete the 2024-25 FAFSA at https://studentaid.gov.
What is a FAFSA contributor?
A contributor is any individual required to provide consent and approval for federal tax information (FTI) along with their signature on the FAFSA form. Based on the student’s dependency status and familial situation, a contributor may include the student; the student’s spouse; a biological or adoptive parent; or the parent’s spouse (stepparent)
The student and their contributors will be required to have a Federal Student Aid Identification (FSA ID) to apply for the 2024-25 FAFSA.
An FSA ID is your account username and password. It allows students and their contributors to identify themselves electronically to access the Federal Student Aid Website. It is created using the person’s Social Security Number (SSN) or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN).
If you already have an FSA ID, you will be able to use that when you complete your FAFSA. New users should click here to create their FSA ID.
The FUTURE Act Direct Data Exchange (FA-DDX) will replace the IRS Data Retrieval Tool.
All contributors will be required to use the FUTURE Act Direct Data Exchange (FA-DDX) to transfer their tax information from the IRS to the FAFSA or to confirm their non-filing status. This change will make it easier to complete the FAFSA and will reduce the number of questions you will be asked. Tax information will not be visible to the student or their contributors on the FAFSA form, ensuring everyone’s privacy.
Consent will be required from all contributors.
All students and contributors must provide consent for their 2024-25 FAFSA information to be shared with the school, even if the contributor does not have an SSN, did not file taxes, or filed taxes in another country. If consent is not provided by a contributor, then the student will not be eligible to receive federal aid.
The Student Aid Index (SAI) will replace the Expected Family Contribution (EFC)
The EFC is being replaced by the Student Aid Index (SAI). This name more accurately describes the number used to determine aid eligibility. The adjustments to the new Student Aid Index (SAI) calculation will expand Federal Pell Grant eligibility to more students