FAFSA Changes 2024-2025: Middle Georgia State University

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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 Now

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 became available 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:

The FAFSA will be shorter and more user-friendly.

Students may list up to 20 colleges.

The FAFSA will be available in more languages.

Applicants will be required to use the IRS Direct Data Exchange.

Previously, users had the option to enter their tax information manually or use the IRS Data Retrieval Tool. Beginning with 2024-25, all persons on the FAFSA must provide consent for the Department of Education to receive tax information or confirmation of non-filing status directly from the IRS. In a very small number of cases, students and families will have to enter their tax data manually, but for most, that data will be automatically transferred into the application. This change makes it easier to complete the FAFSA and reduces the number of questions to be answered.

All "contributors" must provide financial information.

A contributor—a new term being introduced on the 2024-25 FAFSA—refers to anyone who is required to provide information on a student's form (such as a parent/stepparent or spouse). A student's or parent's answers on the FAFSA will determine which contributors (if any) will be required to provide information.

Contributors will receive an email informing them that they've been identified as such, and will need to log in using their own FSA ID (if they don't already have one) to provide the required information on the student's FAFSA.

Being a contributor does not mean they are financially responsible for the student's education costs, but it does mean the contributor must provide information on the FAFSA or the application will be incomplete and the student will not be eligible for federal student aid.

The Student Aid Index (SAI) is replacing Expected Family Contribution (EFC).

The number in college will not be used to calculate SAI.

Previously, the FAFSA calculated the number of household members attending college into the EFC, dividing it proportionately to determine federal aid eligibility. Beginning with the 2024-25 FAFSA, the application will still ask how many household members are in college, but your answer will not be calculated into the SAI. As such, MGA students with siblings in college may see a change in their federal aid eligibility.

Some students will automatically be awarded a Pell Grant.

Families making less than 175% and single parents making less than 225% of the  federal poverty level will see their students receive a maximum Federal Pell Grant Federal Pell Grant award. Minimum Pell Grants will be guaranteed to students from households below 275%, 325%, 350%, or 400% of the poverty level, depending on household structure. Pell awards between the maximum and minimum amounts will be determined by SAI.

The parent responsible for submitting the FAFSA in cases of divorce or separation has changed.

Family farms and small businesses must be reported as assets.

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 require tax information from two years prior, 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 attend classes at Middle Georgia State University should complete the FAFSA now if they intend to enroll fall semester 2024, spring semester 2025, or summer semester 2025.

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 March 2024. The availability, time frame of receipt, and volume of records received depend largely upon changes and updates from the US Dept. Of Education. Students will be able to make corrections and updates in the weeks following the release of information to colleges and universities. This time frame is projected to be the first half of April 2024.

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.
Gather your 2022 federal tax documents and make sure it is easily accessible before beginning the application.
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, 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 applicant not completing the application.
Stay tuned for updates on the 2425 FAFSA through this link: Launch of the 2024-25 FAFSA Form

Office of Financial Aid

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