Overview
- The new Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form, which was released in late December for the 2024-25 school year, has been experiencing technical difficulties and limited availability, causing frustration among students and families.
- The new FAFSA form, a result of the FAFSA Simplification Act, is significantly shorter and has expanded Pell Grant eligibility, aiming to give more students a chance for financial aid.
- Despite the challenges, over 400,000 people have started or submitted the new FAFSA form since its release.
- The new form introduces a new student aid indicator that can reach the negatives and removes the number of family members in college from the calculation, changing the landscape of need-based aid eligibility.
- Due to the delays and issues with the new form, financial aid offers are expected to be sent out later than usual, potentially not until late February or March.