Updates to the 2024-25 FAFSA application encompass the most significant changes to the form in decades. These changes are expected to result in a more streamlined application process for students and families and help 610,000 more students from low-income backgrounds receive Pell Grants. To support our members, NACAC has compiled resources to help students prepare for and complete the new FAFSA form for the first time.
On January 30, 2024, the Department of Education’s Office of Federal Student Aid (FSA) announced that Institutional Student Information Reports (ISIRs) will start being sent to institutions in “the first half of March,” though a specific date was not provided. If this deadline is met, delivery of these reports would still occur six weeks later than previously announced. This will cause further delays in institutional and state aid processing and decisionmaking. On February 13, FSA announced flexibilities on required deadlines and waived certain verification requirements. We will post additional information and updates as they become available.
Letter from NACAC to the Secretary of Education
In March 2024, NACAC sent a letter to the U.S. Department of Education secretary asking that the department remind federal grantees that supporting the work of school counselors and college advisors is an allowable use of federal funds. Their work could continue into the summer as a result of this year’s FAFSA delay.
Enrollment Deadlines Directory
Due to the FAFSA delays, some colleges and universities have adjusted their enrollment timelines for fall 2024. Check the NACAC Enrollment Deadlines Directory for information submitted by member institutions.
Where can I find information to share with students and families about the new FAFSA?
FSA created a Financial Aid Toolkit that includes a number of resources that counselors and admission professionals can share with students and families ahead of starting the FAFSA application. Included in the toolkit is a fact sheet to aid students with unusual circumstances, a sample email that counselors and advisors can adapt and share with families about the FAFSA changes, frequently asked questions and answers, and more.
Where can I find more information to help me better understand the changes to the new FAFSA?
The Financial Aid Toolkit contains several handouts and presentations, such as a 5 Things College Access Professionals Should Know webpage, and a prototype tool that can help counselors and advisors understand how to navigate the new FAFSA before supporting students through the process. FSA also has posted a demonstration of the new FAFSA features, a Resources to Effectively Engage Families for Upcoming FAFSA Changes webinar, and a Special Student Populations and Circumstances for 2024-25 FAFSA webinar.
What resources are available to students and families to support them in completing the new FAFSA?
- Wyatt, a free, digital FAFSA advisor, is available on-demand 24/7 for students and families to text their FAFSA questions and receive immediate answers. Wyatt also provides proactive reminder texts to students to help them finish their application on time.NACAC has partnered with the Benefits Data Trust, a national nonprofit that works to improve access to public assistance, in the dissemination of the Wyatt tool.
- The National College Attainment Network (NCAN) has a valuable FAFSA Challenges and Workarounds page.
- The National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators (NASFAA) offers a Resources for Students and Parents page.
Does Wyatt provide any tools for education professionals?
Yes — there are educator-specific resources that can help with upcoming presentations or be displayed in offices for free at their educator resources portal.