2024-25 FAFSA

2024-2025 FAFSA Information

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) has been revamped and the 2024-25 version includes new changes. Read on to learn more about what to expect with the new FAFSA filing process. 

• Information on how to fill out the FAFSA: studentaid.gov/apply-for-aid/fafsa/filling-out
• Tips specific to the 2024-25 FAFSA: studentaid.gov/announcements-events/fafsa-support/pro-tips

Changes to Expect

1. A reduced number of questions on the form.
2. FAFSA "Contributors": A contributor is anyone who is asked to provide info on the student's FAFSA, including: the student, student's spouse (if applicable), a biological or adoptive parent, or the spouse of a remarried parent who is on the FAFSA (the stepparent).
3. FSA ID and consent: Each contributor will need an FSA ID in order to complete the FAFSA and will have to provide consent to have their Federal Tax Information transferred from the IRS. Consent is provided once during the aid year and is necessary even if the contributor does not have an SSN, did not file taxes or filed taxes in another country. Make sure your FSA Id is active (create one if needed). If married individuals filed taxes separately, both will need to have an FSA ID.
4. Income and tax data will be provided differently. Previously, filers could use the IRS Data Retrieval Tool to transfer data from the IRS into the FAFSA or they could enter it manually. The 2024-25 FAFSA requires all contributors to use the "IRS Direct Data Exchange" (DDX) to share income and tax info or they must confirm a non-filing tax status. 
   1. Providing consent (see #3) allows the DDX to share and transfer tax info directly from the IRS to the FAFSA if able. This ensures info is secure. The federal tax info won't display on the FAFSA site or the FAFSA Submission Summary. 
5. Parent of Record: For divorced or separated parents, income and assets are reported for the parent who provides the most financial support, even if the student doesn't live with that parent or lives with the other parent. If the parent of record has remarried, the income of the parent's spouse must be included on the FAFSA. View FAFSA's guide on how to figure out which parent(s) should provide information on the 2024-25 FAFSA.
6. Student Aid Index (SAI): The SAI replaces the Estimated Family Contribution (EFC). The SAI is a number that determines each student's eligibility for certain types of federal student aid.
7. Students no longer provide their housing plans on the FAFSA (on campus, off campus or with parent).

Curious what your 2024-25 aid offer may look like with these changes? Use the Federal Student Aid Estimator!

Additional Resources

• Federal Student Aid's educational webinars and videos. 
• What's Changed for the 2024-25 FAFSA Form?
• Gather Information Required to Complete the FAFSA
• Create and Access your StudentAid.gov Account
• Understand and Prepare FAFSA Form Contributors
• Applying for Financial Aid with the FAFSA Form
• Learn About the FAFSA Submission Summary
• What Happens after your FAFSA Form is Processed
• 2024-25 FAFSA Help: A page with resources related to the 20244-25 FAFSA. Includes help articles, videos, infographics and more.

FAFSA Status 

You can check your FAFSA status through studentaid.gov or fafsa.gov. Instructions are available at studentaid.gov/help/check-fafsa-status,

**Note: 2024-2025 FAFSA changes are being implemented by the U.S. Department of Education. Information provided on this page is subject to change as new information becomes available.