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FAFSA Simplification Act

The Financial Aid Application is Changing

The FAFSA Simplification Act has introduced a significant overhaul of the processes and systems used to award federal student aid starting with the 2024–25 award year. This includes changes to the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®) form and many policies that will alter how students apply for aid and the method for determining aid for students.

Here are some highlights for 2024-2025 Financial Aid

  • The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is expected to be available in late December.
  • The aid application will have fewer questions, hopefully making it easier for students to complete the application.
  • The application will have new terms. Instead of “parent” or “spouse,” the form uses “contributor” to identify someone who is asked to provide information on the FAFSA® like a parent or spouse did previously and “consent.” Each contributor will be required to consent to their information being included on the FAFSA®.
  • The “Expected Family Contribution” in calculating how much aid students may get is changing to a “Student Aid Index.” This number measures the student and/or family’s ability to pay for college. The new formula implements a separate eligibility criterion for determining Federal Pell Grants.
  • Eligibility for Federal Pell Grants is expanding. The new criteria will include family size and the federal poverty level for income. Incarcerated students in federal and state correctional facilities may be eligible. Lifetime eligibility will be restored for students whose school closed when they were enrolled or if the school is found to have misled the student.

Be Prepared

  • Watch for the availability of the 2024-2025 FAFSA form in December.
  • Use the Federal Student Aid Estimator to see what you may now be eligible for.

Want More Information?

Watch what the federal government has to say about FAFSA Simplification in their YouTube video.

Washington Application for State Financial Aid (WASFA)

How Is the WASFA Being Impacted?

  • The Washington Application for State Financial Aid (WASFA) for 2024-2025, will be delayed and should be available in December 2023.
  • This page will be updated with WASFA changes and how state aid is impacted.
  • Follow Washington Student Achievement Council’s WASFA website as well for additional resources

Resources