2024-25 FAFSA Changes
Big Changes to the 2024-2025 FAFSA
What You Need to Know at UHV
Big changes have happened to the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) for the 2024-2025 academic year! The new FAFSA form will significantly improve, streamline, and redesign how students and their families use the form. With all these changes, the timeline for sending out award letters has changed. Previously, we could get them out at the beginning of April; now, we plan on sending out initial Award Letters for Fall 2024 in mid to late May.
Key Changes Include:
- No More EFC: The Expected Family Contribution (EFC) has been replaced with the Student Aid Index (SAI).
- Shorter FAFSA: The application now has fewer questions for students to answer.
- Available in More Languages: The FAFSA is now available in more languages, making it more accessible.
- Update in Aid Calculation: The U.S. Department of Education (ED) has updated how it calculates the amount of aid students will receive to be in full alignment with the FAFSA Simplification Act.
- Increased Pell Grant Eligibility: More students will be eligible for more Pell Grants in the 2024–25 award year and some students will automatically be awarded a Pell Grant based on new income thresholds.
Important FAFSA Update
Temporary Workaround for Eligible Students without SSNs for Parents or Spouses
- Temporary Fix: A temporary fix is available for eligible students whose parents or spouses do not have a Social Security Number (SSN).
- Full Fix Coming Soon: A full fix to the online FAFSA form for non-SSN contributors will be available in March.
- Visit StudentAid.gov to learn more.
Addressing Delays and Issues:
- Monitoring Delays: We are actively monitoring delays and issues with FAFSA processing to minimize impact.
- We are here for you: Our financial aid office offers personalized assistance to help you navigate the FAFSA process.
- Support Services Available: Use StudentAid.gov to help you understand the changes to the FAFSA and how they may affect you. We offer personalized assistance to answer any of your questions.
New Requirements for Contributors:
- Parent and Spouse Information: Parents and spouses must now create their own specific sign-on to complete the form found at StudentAid.gov.
Important Reminders:
- Submit Early: Submit your FAFSA early to ensure maximum financial aid eligibility.
- Include UHV's School Code: Don't forget to include UHV's school code (013231) on your application.
Get in Touch
If you have any questions or need assistance with your FAFSA, please contact our financial aid office. We're here to help you navigate the FAFSA process and make your experience at UHV more affordable.
Additional Information for 2024-2025 FAFSA Applicants
- All contributors must provide financial information.
- The Student Aid Index (SAI) is replacing Expected Family Contribution (EFC).
- The number in college will not be used to calculate SAI.
- UHV may continue to use the number in college for undergraduate students when determining eligibility for need-based institutional financial aid.
- Some students will automatically be awarded a Pell Grant.
Families making less than 175% and single parents making less than 225% of the federal poverty level will see their students receive a maximum Federal Pell Grant Minimum Pell Grants will be guaranteed to students from households below 275%, 325%, 350%, or 400% of the poverty level, depending on household structure. SAI will determine Pell awards between the maximum and minimum amounts. - The parent responsible for submitting the FAFSA in cases of divorce or separation has changed.
For dependent students, financial information was previously needed from the parent(s) the student had lived with the most in the last 12 months. With the new FAFSA, financial information will be required from the parent(s) who provided the most financial support to the student. - Family farms and small businesses must be reported as assets.
When required, families must now report the value of their small business or family farm. If the family farm includes the principal place of residence, applicants should determine the total net value of all farm assets and subtract the net value of their principal residence to determine the final value of their farm assets.