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On February 20, The Department of Education announced that it would resolve the 2024-25 FAFSA issue that is preventing submission when a contributor does not have a Social Security Number (SSN), in the “first half” of March.  

We urge applicants to wait for the permanent fix as the current workaround for this issue will result in a rejected FAFSA without a Student Aid Index (SAI).  If you have already submitted your FAFSA using the workaround below, there will be a chance to make a correction to your FAFSA once processing and corrections are available.  

Workaround process: applicants can submit an online FAFSA without the contributor’s signature to obtain a confirmation email with an application submission date. The confirmation email can be used as documentation of FAFSA submission if needed for state, or private aid (outside scholarship) deadlines. However, because the contributor’s consent, approval, and signature are missing, the process will result in a rejected FAFSA without a Student Aid Index (SAI). Once processing and corrections are available, these students will be notified they will need to make corrections. Once the contributor provides their consent and approval via their FSA ID, the rejection will be resolved.

On January 30, the U.S. Department of Education that institutions would not be sent FAFSA data until mid-March 2024. This delay to FAFSA processing is due to necessary updates that will recognize adjustments for inflation needed for FAFSA application data. As such, this will also mean a delay in our ability to produce financial aid offers for the 2024-25 award year.

We understand that the Department of Education's delays and technical issues can cause concern for you and your family. We want to assure you that we are monitoring the situation and staying informed of any other possible delays or future issues. We appreciate your patience during this time, as you continue to complete and submit your 2024-25 FAFSA.

We will continue to keep you informed with periodic updates and reminders.

• The FAFSA was released in late December 2023.
• The application process includes fewer questions, and an easier way to transfer tax information directly from the IRS.
• You will notice new terminology being used in the application and aid eligibility process:
  • Contributor: anyone who is asked to provide information on the FAFSA - For example: student, student spouse, parent(s) and stepparent(s)
  • Consent: each contributor will now need to provide their consent to their Federal Tax Information (FTI) being included in the FAFSA, even if they did not file a U.S. tax return
  • SAI: Student Aid Index (SAI) replaces the Expected Family Contribution (EFC)
    • SAI will no longer take into account the number of students a family has in college to determine eligibility for aid.
  • FTI: Federal Tax Information (FTI) transferred directly from the IRS
  • IRS DDX: IRS Direct Data Exchange used to transfer FTI
• The FAFSA is now available in 11 languages.
• Each contributor (student, student spouse, parent(s) and/or stepparent) will have to provide consent.
  • In cases of divorce or separation, only the parent(s) who provided the most financial support to the student will need to submit financial information.
  • If any contributor does not provide their consent, the Student Aid Index (SAI) will not be calculated, and we will not be able to determine eligibility for financial aid.
• Foster, homeless and unaccompanied youth – as well as applicants who cannot provide parental information – will be able to complete the form with a provisional independent student determination and receive a calculated SAI.
• Students can list up to 20 schools on their FAFSA via the online application.
• More Pell Grant Awards: some students will automatically qualify for the maximum Pell Grant, including families making less than 175% of the federal poverty level and single parents making less than 225%.
• Reporting assets: family farms and small businesses should be reported as assets.