2024-25 Better FAFSA Information

This page is dedicated to referring information and resources regarding the 2024-25 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®). With key changes and challenges, we are here to connect students, families, and professionals with resources to help navigate the updated process.

(Updated April 12, 2024)

FAFSA Week of Action: April 15-19, 2024

During the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) Week of Action (April 15-19, 2024), the White House and the U.S. Department of Education are encouraging high school counselors, principals and other school leaders, superintendents, after school programs, parent groups, non-profit organizations, and other local and state education organizations to commit to taking action to raise awareness about the updated FAFSA) form and support student submission.

Potential actions organizations can take, include any (or all) of a series of actions from the Commitment Letter (Link):

• Host an in-person or virtual FAFSA Week of Action FAFSA submission event.
• Email, text, or send push notifications to your audiences with information about the Better FAFSA and how to submit the form.
• Incorporate information about Better FAFSA and FAFSA Week of Action into your newsletters, webinars, upcoming events/conferences or resource sites.

Stay Informed

Stay up-to-date with the latest Federal Student Aid updates and issues through the following links:

• Week of Action: During the FAFSA Week of Action (April 15-19, 2024), the White House and the U.S. Department of Education are encouraging high school counselors, principals and other school leaders, superintendents, after school programs, parent groups, non-profit organizations, and other local and state education organizations to commit to taking action to raise awareness about the updated FAFSA) form and support student submission.
• 2024-25 FAFSA Fast News
  • Stakeholders should bookmark this page for regular messages from leadership related to the 2024-25 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®) form.
• 2024-25 FAFSA Updates
• Update on Technical Fix to 2024-25 FAFSA Form for Individuals without a Social Security Number (SSN)
• 2024–25 FAFSA Issue Alerts
  • Open FAFSA Form Issues section
  • Open FAFSA Submission Summary Issues section
  • Resolved FAFSA Form Issues section
  • Resolved FAFSA Submission Summary Issues section

Webinars

Miércoles, 17 de Abril de 2024 - Como Presentar el Formulario FAFSA 2024-25 (Español)

• La oficina de Ayuda Federal para Estudiantes organizará otro seminario web donde describirán el proceso para presentar el formulario 2024-25 de Solicitud Gratuita de Ayuda Federal para Estudiantes (FAFSA®). Esta sesión estará abierta para estudiantes, familias, profesionales de acceso a la universidad y aquellos que apoyan a las comunidades de habla hispana. Este seminario web será llevado a cabo en español con subtítulos en inglés.
• Fecha/Horario: Miércoles, 17 de Abril de 2024 | 8:00 p.m. hora del Este
• Regístrese hoy: https://forms.office.com/g/QyqA5mNxAw

Thursday, April 18, 2024 - Better FAFSA Better Future Webinar Series (ENGLISH)

• Better FAFSA® Better Future Q&A – Session 3, this will be another opportunity to ask questions of Federal Student Aid staff about the 2024–25 FAFSA form.
• Date/Time: Thursday, April 18, 2024, 1–2 p.m. Eastern Time
• (Link to Join Webinar April 18, 2024)

Resources and Tools

For Students, Families, Administrators, Counselors, and College Access Advisors.

National College Attainment Network (NCAN) - Better FAFSA Training Toolkit

• Recorded presentations, slide decks, fact sheets, checklists, etc.

National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators (NASFAA)

• Tools, resources, and modeling tool instructions. 

Better FAFSA for Mixed Status Families

Latest announcement on April 4, 2024 from the Federal Student Aid 2024-25 FAFSA Fast News:

(April 4, 2024) Resolution of Issues Impacting Contributors without Social Security Numbers
Finally, we recently resolved an issue that was keeping some contributors without a Social Security number (SSN) from participating in the online FAFSA form. All applicants who previously had challenges inviting their non-SSN contributor to their form may now do so without issue. Affected applicants should follow updated instructions and review our FAFSA best practices at StudentAid.gov/FAFSAtips. We will be providing more information about this topic and FAFSA reprocessing later today through an EA." Learn more on 2024-2025 FAFSA Fast News

These links provide updates of key changes on the Better FAFSA for Mixed-Status Families.

• White House Initiative on Advancing Educational Equity, Excellence, and Economic Opportunity for Hispanics
• ED Announces FAFSA Workaround, Fix for Students from Mixed-Status Families
• How To Submit the 2024–25 FAFSA® Form if Your Contributor Doesn't Have an SSN
• Top 10 Things to Know So You Can Prepare, Better FAFSA for Mixed-Status Families

Students - Know Your On-Campus Support & Experts

Financial Aid Advisor/College Advisor/Counselor

• We encourage students to email, call, and schedule appointments with their Financial Aid Office for on-campus support.

Financial Aid Better FAFSA Workshops:

• We encourage students attend any on-campus or community workshops and shared resources.

Student Government Association:

• We encourage students to communicate concerns with their Student Government, the voice of the student body.

To stay up to date, you can also bookmark NCAN’s Better FAFSA page and FSA’s? Better FAFSA page and sign up for FSA’s partner emails, which provide critical information to school counselors, college access organization staff, and other student mentors.

You can also find state-by-state information regarding financial aid for immigrant students and families on the Higher Ed Immigration Portal.