2024-2025 FAFSA Changes

The FAFSA Simplification Act & How it affects You

The FAFSA Simplification Act was passed by Congress and represents a significant overhaul of the processes and systems used to award federal student aid. This includes the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form, the need analysis that determines aid eligibility, changes in terminology, and many policies and procedures for schools that participate in federal student aid programs.

The goal FAFSA Simplification Act is to make it easier for students to apply for financial aid. The new FAFSA will require fewer questions about income and will rely on the Direct Data Exchange (DDE) with the IRS for completion of the FAFSA. Among other key changes, this legislation attempts to clarify the questions that will be asked and will aim to increase Federal Pell Grant eligibility.

While the changes to the FAFSA could increase financial aid eligibility for some, others may see a decrease in aid. Some key changes that can impact the application process and the financial aid offer a student will receive are outlined below.

Changes to the FAFSA Application

Some key changes include, but are not limited to:

The 2024-2025 FAFSA will be delayed. The anticipated launch date of the 2024-2025 FAFSA will be sometime in December 2023. 
The number of questions on the FAFSA has decreased from 108 questions to 36.
Students can list up to 20 schools on their FAFSA via the online application.
Who will need to contribute information on the FAFSA application will be determined when the student completes their portion. If your information is required to complete the FAFSA you will receive an email notification to complete your portion.  The FAFSA will not be complete until all contributors complete their portion of the application.
For students whose parents are separated or divorced, the guidance on which parent income to report has changed to the parent who provides the most financial support to the student, rather than the parent who lives at the student’s primary residence.
The Data Retrieval Tool (DRT) has been replaced with Federal Taxpayer Information (FTI)
Students, spouses, parents, and stepparents will now need to provide their consent in the new Consent to Retrieve and Disclose Federal Tax Information section of the FAFSA for federal student aid eligibility. This consent will allow the IRS to share FTI through a Direct Data Exchange. If any party to the FAFSA form does not provide consent, submission of the form will still be allowed. However, a Student Aid Index (SAI) will not be calculated which is needed to calculate the student's financial aid. 
Parents without a Social Security Number will be able to apply for an FSA ID. This will speed up FAFSA processing time as they’ll be able to submit the form online, rather than having to print, sign and mail their application.
Male students under the age of 26 are no longer required to register with the Selective Service System to receive federal financial aid. 

Changes to Calculating Your Eligibility

Students and families will see a different measure of their ability to pay for college, and they will experience a change in the methodology used to determine aid.

The Estimated Family Contribution (EFC) has been replaced by the Student Aid Index (SAI). The SAI is a different way to determine aid eligibility.  
SAI will no longer take the number of students in college into consideration. This may reduce need-based aid eligibility for current students with siblings in college.  
The FAFSA Simplification Act expands the Federal Pell Grant to more students and will link eligibility to family size and the federal poverty level. 
Child support received will be included in assets and not as untaxed income.
Families who own a small business/farm that also serves as a primary residence will now have assets of that business/farm considered in their need analysis calculation.

Millersville University's Office of Financial Aid is dedicated to providing timely updates to students, families, and our community. We'll continue to update this page as we receive more information from the Department of Education and Federal Student Aid.

Disclaimer: Due to the significant amount of changes that are occurring, portions of our website, such as Applying for Aid and Financial Aid Eligibility may not be accurate for the 2024-2025 Academic Year. We appreciate your patience as we work through making updates.