2024-25 Financial Aid Application Now Open
The 2024-25 application for financial aid would typically open on Oct. 1, but this year, it opened in late December.
We鈥檙e aware that some students are having trouble completing the 2024-25 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Unfortunately, schools are unable to assist with technical issues during the application process. Any issues you have completing the FAFSA will not impact the amount or types of financial aid you can get. Please call Federal Student Aid (FSA) at 1-800-4FEDAID (1-800-433-3243) for support with technical issues.
Timeline for Fall 2024 & Spring 2025 Financial Aid
Late December: FAFSA opens.
March: CU 麻豆影院 expects to receive financial aid applications from the Department of Education. Students will receive email notification and their status in the student portal will update at that time.
March 15: recommended date to apply for some scholarships that require financial need.
Late April: financial aid offers begin for all new and continuing students.
Why the delay
The FAFSA was delayed this year to allow more time to finish simplifying the application for students.
鈥淭he number of questions on the FAFSA is getting cut in half,鈥 says Director of Financial Aid Barb Marshall. 鈥淭hat alone should save families time.鈥
The Department of Education has been implementing changes from the for about three years now. The changes slated for the FAFSA will streamline the process of applying for aid, including a more user-friendly format and enhanced data sharing with the IRS to make adding information easier.
鈥淲e鈥檙e excited about what this means for the student experience going forward,鈥 Marshall says. 鈥淏ut it will be a transition and we鈥檒l continue to work in the best interest of our students.鈥
What鈥檚 new
Many of the changes will happen behind the scenes, requiring financial aid offices to adapt to a new flow of FAFSA information and adjust policies as needed.
鈥淐U 麻豆影院 has a great team of financial aid administrators and just like every other college and university, we鈥檙e working hard to ensure accuracy and support students in paying for college,鈥 Marshall says.
The Student Aid Index (SAI) will replace Estimated Family Contribution (EFC), the formula that calculates a family's ability to pay for college. Students and families can use the to see how SAI will compare to the previous EFC calculation.
We鈥檙e also aware that the 2024-25 FAFSA contains new, optional questions regarding race and ethnicity. CU 麻豆影院 will not receive this information and these responses will not be used when determining aid.
This is a developing story. We鈥檒l continue to update this article as new information becomes available.