FAFSA

You must complete the FAFSA form to apply for federal, state, and some types of institutional aid.

File your FAFSA

FAFSA Simplification Act

The FAFSA Simplification Act is making significant changes to the processes for determining student aid eligibility. It aims to streamline the FAFSA application and need assessment procedures for federal student aid, and expands Federal Pell Grant eligibility. 

These improvements have delayed the release of the 2024-2025 FAFSA from October to December 2023. When the new FAFSA launches later this year, the information you supply will determine how much aid you can receive for the Fall 2024, and Spring and Summer 2025, terms.  

Here are some of the changes you can expect, as outlined in the FAFSA Simplification Act:  

• Need analysis terminology changes: Expected Family Contribution (EFC) will be replaced with a new indicator: Student Aid Index (SAI). This is a new formula for indicating the capacity of a student’s family to pay.  
• SAI requires fewer questions to be answered and pulls more information from federal income tax returns. 
• Amendments set up a new policy by which students with an adjusted gross income (AGI) below specified levels automatically qualify for a maximum Pell Grant.  
• Amendments expand student aid access by dropping prohibitions for certain drug-related offenses or not registering for the Selective Service.  
• Modified procedures by which certain students can establish independent status and not supply parental information on the FAFSA. 

While you can’t complete or submit the FAFSA until December, there are things you can do now to prepare. 

• Do you have a Federal Student Aid (FSA) ID? If not, create one now. This ID is a username and password you use to log in to U.S. Department of Education online systems. You use this ID every year you fill out a FAFSA and through the lifetime of your federal student loans. 
• If your parents are divorced or separated, figure out which one of them will have to report their income. Starting this year, the parent who provides the greater portion of your financial support will have to report their income on your FASFA application. 
• Make sure any person who would report income on your FASFA has filed a 2022 income tax return if they had to do so. The U.S. Department of Education will obtain your tax information, as well as that of your parent(s), directly from the IRS.  
• Did you fill out a FAFSA form for 2023–24? Log in to your StudentAid.gov account and make sure your email address is up-to-date. As soon as the new application is launched, you will get an email reminding you to apply.  

Questions? Reach out.

We’re available to help you navigate the financial aid process, find scholarship and grant opportunities, and supply a range of payment options.  Contact the financial aid office at the campus you are attending.

FAFSA FAQs

Tuition and fees are due to the business office approximately two weeks before each semester begins. Keep in mind that financial aid can be a long process. If your financial aid eligibility has not been determined by the tuition due date, you will need to pay in full or sign up for the college's payment plan.

Still have questions?

Contact the financial aid office at the campus you are attending.