FAFSA
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WHY SHOULD I FILE THE FAFSA?
The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is not mandatory to fill out, but it is highly suggested! Here are some reasons you should consider filling out the FAFSA to help you make the final decision on what's best for you and your family:
"It's a gateway to ALL federal and most state financial aid resources, some institutional and private scholarships. This includes Pell grants, work-study programs, federal student loans, and many state grants and scholarships. Some institutional aid/scholarships and private scholarships may also require completing the FAFSA.
What if I have a full-ride scholarship or savings prepared to pay for college? Filing the FAFSA is a good backup plan to cover unexpected expenses. Many scholarships require this as part of the application process.
You may never know what financial aid they might end up getting! Many students file the FAFSA and are surprised to find out they qualify for a grant, work-study, or a need-based scholarship.
It's not as difficult as you might think. Students can access the FAFSA at fafsa.gov or studentaid.gov. The FAFSA provides tooltips in every section, as well as online chat, phone help, and a frequently asked questions section. You can also attend a USHE-sponsored FAFSA Completion Open House or get help from a school counselor, college advisor, or FAFSA coordinator. [There is also Going Merry's FAFSA Made Easier (slideshow below) and Wyatt, a digital FAFSA advisor.] It is easy to contact the financial aid office at the college or university you might want to attend so you can ask for school-specific financial aid information.
You aren't required to accept loans. The FAFSA is just an application; students can always decline any aid they are offered (such as federal student loans).
There is no reason not to file the FAFSA every year you're in college... it's FREE!" (Utah System of Higher Education, 2022)
WHAT'S DIFFERENT ABOUT THE FAFSA?
The FAFSA Simplification Act improves the FAFSA, making applying for federal student aid easier and making it more accessible for students. Here are some key changes for the 2025-2026 FAFSA:
The 2025-26 FAFSA will be released to all students on December 1, 2024. The 2025-26 FAFSA will have very few changes compared to last year's form.
The Expected Family Contribution (EFC) is no more! In its place, we have the Student Aid Index (SAI). "The SAI is a number that determines each student's eligibility for certain types of federal aid. An applicant's SAI is calculated using modified need analysis formulas outlined in the Act.
The most significant changes to the need analysis formula include:
Removal of the number of family members of in college from the eligibility calculation.
The possibility for an SAI to be a negative number, with a minimum SAI of -1,500 instead of zero.
Elimination of alternate EFCs for enrollment for a period other than nine months.
Elimination of the Simplified Needs Test (SNT) and Auto-Zero calculations." (Federal Student Aid, 2023)
Additionally, the Act "will expand the Federal Pell Grant to more students and will link eligibility to family size and the federal poverty level (starting with the 2024-25 award year)." (Federal Student Aid, 2023)
Some things have changed about the actual FAFSA form itself:
"Where possible, the law mandates that we use data received directly from the IRS to calculate Federal Pell Grant eligibility and the SAI...
Removes questions about Selective Service registration and drug convictions...
Adds questions about applicants' sex, race, and ethnicity, which have no effect on federal student aid eligibility (starting with the 2023-24 award year)." (Federal Student Aid, 2023)
HELPFUL LINKS AND HANDOUTS
Accessing the FAFSA: fafsa.gov or studentaid.gov
FAFSA FAQ: https://studentaid.gov/apply-for-aid/fafsa/filling-out/help
FAFSA Simplication FAQ: https://www2.ed.gov/policy/highered/reg/hearulemaking/2009/fafsa-q-and-a.html
Sign up For Going Merry: https://app.goingmerry.com/sign-up#students
Sign up For Wyatt: https://www.getfafsahelp.org/sign-up/
Paying for College — File the FAFSA Handout: https://ushe.edu/wp-content/uploads/pdf/k-12/payingforcollege/Handout_File_FAFSA.pdf
FSA ID — Your Key to Financial Aid Handout: https://ushe.edu/wp-content/uploads/pdf/k-12/ucaw/2023/FSA_ID_Key_Fin_Aid.pdf
FAFSA Deferement Handout: https://ushe.edu/wp-content/uploads/pdf/k-12/ucaw/2024/FASFA_Deferment.pdf
Updated 09/2024
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