FAFSA Simplification Act
In 2020 Congress passed the FAFSA Simplification Act to streamline and make the financial aid process easier overall for students and families. The number of questions on the FAFSA is being nearly cut in half, terminology is being simplified. With these changes Congress is aiming to increase the Federal Pell Grant eligibility for many, however some may see a reduction in their Federal Pell Grant. Below you will find some detailed information regarding the FAFSA changes.
Important information
When will the 2024-2025 FAFSA be available?
While the FAFSA has typically become available beginning October 1 of each year, the 2024-2025 FAFSA will not open until sometime in December 2023. The exact date has not yet been announced, but will be posted here once available.
Please keep in mind that Rider University’s priority deadline will remain February 1.
What is changing for the 2024-2025 FAFSA?
- Onboarding process - Once you are signed into your FSA ID and begin the 2024-2025 FAFSA there is a video that will give you an overview of the new FAFSA
- Number of questions - The number of questions is going from 108 to a maximum for most students to 46.
- Change in terminology - No longer using the Estimated Family Contribution (EFC), but a Student Aid Index (SAI). See more about SAI in the FAQ below.
- Every student will also need to add their contributors to the FAFSA (as a dependent this will be your parents and as an independent student it may be a spouse). See more about contributors in the FAQ below.
- The SAI will no longer consider the number of students in college to determine eligibility, however eligibility will be based on family size and the federal poverty level.
- Parent on the FAFSA - If your parents are divorced or separated, the parent on the FAFSA may change. See more about who to report as a parent in the FAQ below.
- Parent does not have a social security number - If your parent does not have a Social Security number they will now be able to create an FSA ID. This will speed up the process and no longer require a paper copy of the FAFSA to be printed, signed and mailed to the Department of Education.
- No need to go through dependency override process every year if no change in circumstances
How can I prepare for the 2024-2025 FAFSA before it comes out?
Prior to completing the FAFSA the student will need to set up an FSA ID and it is best to have your parent/guardian or spouse sign up for an FSA ID at the same time (if you already have an FSA ID a new one is not needed). While completing the FAFSA the student will list who their parent(s)/guardian(s) or their spouse are on the FAFSA as contributors. Adding these individuals to the FAFSA will make them a contributor and they will be sent an email with a request to complete their portion of the FAFSA and give their consent to have their information included on the FAFSA.
FAFSA Information Sessions for Incoming Students
The university is planning to host FAFSA Workshop & Affordability Information Sessions this fall for students applying to the university. The zoom information sessions will be held Thursday, November 16 and Thursday, December 14 at 7pm. You may sign up for these sessions here.
Questions?
If you are a returning or an incoming student and have any further questions after reading through this information and completing the FAFSA onboarding process please feel free to contact the One Stop Office via email at [email protected], phone at (609)896-5360 or via zoom (Monday - Thursday 9am - 1pm and 2pm - 4pm and Friday 9am - 1pm and 2pm - 3pm).
We will continue to provide updates regarding the FAFSA Simplification Act and appreciate your patience while we all work through this updated process together.