FAFSA Simplification
In an effort to simplify the financial aid process you will see a new FAFSA for 2024-2025, this is part of what is known as FAFSA Simplification. We are learning more about the changes every day and will do our best to bring you updates as we have them. To start, you can read about why the changes are being made, and what changes are being made on the Federal Student Aid website to learn about FAFSA Simplification. The State of Tennessee also has information regarding how to complete the FAFSA on their website.
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FAFA Simplification: The New FAFSA for 2024-2025
2024-25 FAFSA FAQs
What are the benefits?
- A more streamlined application process
- Expanded eligibility for federal financial aid
- Reduced barriers for certain student populations
- A better user experience for the FAFSA form
What is changing?
The 2024-2025 FAFSA will not be available on October 1st. It will be available in December, but there is not a firm date.
- There will no longer be an EFC, the new formula will be;
- Cost of Attendance (COA) - Student Aid Index (SAI) = Financial Need.
- You can use the Federal Student Aid Estimator to get an estimate of your Student Aid Index (SAI).
- Contributor - any individual required to provide consent and approval for Federal Tax Information (FTI) along with their signature on the FAFSA form. All contributors will be required to give consent for their tax information to be included on the FAFSA.
- Direct Data Exchange (DDX) - formerly the IRS Data Retrieval Tool, this is the system used to transfer individuals tax information to determine federal aid eligibility.
- Student Aid Index (SAI) - formerly Expected Family Contribution (EFC), this is a calculation based on the FAFSA that allows us to determine how much need-based financial aid you are eligible for.
- FAFSA Submission Summary (FSS) - formerly Student Aid Report (SAR), this is the output document providing a summary of data input on the FAFSA form received after completing the FAFSA application.
How does this impact me?
- Have your 2022 tax documents ready to go in December.
- Every contributor will need an FSA ID in order to complete their part of the FAFSA.
- Contributors can complete only their part of the FAFSA (student or parent). The second contributor will receive an email to login and complete their part once the first contributor is finished and invites them.
Our goal is to get aid information to students as quickly as possible. We plan to begin releasing aid offers or requesting additional information from students who have completed the FAFSA in March. This timeline is subject to change as resources become available. We appreciate your patience as we navigate the new FAFSA.
Our goal is to get aid information to returning students as quickly as possible. We plan to begin releasing aid offers or requesting additional information from students who have completed the FAFSA in March. This timeline is subject to change as resources become available. We appreciate your patience as we navigate the new FAFSA.
Yes. Our scholarship application will be open until February 1st.
Who is my parent on the FAFSA for 2024-2025?
I heard that it is different for next year, how do I know for sure which parent to use next year? Good news, you can use the below questions to simulate the FAFSA questions to tell you which parent(s) should be used on the FAFSA. On the FAFSA, the “parent” is your legal (biological or adoptive) parent.
Are your parents married to each other?
Do your parents live together?
Did one parent provide more financial support than the other parent over the past 12 months?
(If both parents provided an exact equal amount of financial support or if they don’t support you financially, select “No,” and refer to the parent with the greater income or assets in the next question.)
Has the parent you identified in the previous question remarried?
Has the parent you identified in the previous question remarried?
(Remember, this applies to the parent with the greater income and assets.)