Financial Aid
FAFSA Form for 2024-2025 - Big Changes!
There are major changes and improvements coming to the 2024–25 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®) form. This redesigned and streamlined FAFSA form is now open under a soft launch.
How to Complete the Better FAFSA
Create a Student Aid Account to obtain an FSA ID. This is required for the student and the parent (contributor). Contributors without SSNs can obtain an FSA ID; they will have their identity verified through the TransUnion Credit Bureau, or, if they do not have documents in that system that can be used to verify their identity, they will be able to upload their documents to the FSA website. FSA ID creation/verification can take up to 3 days, so complete it in advance!
Consent Required! You will be prompted to consent to having tax information from the IRS sent to Federal Student Aid using the Financial Aid Direct Data Exchange, even if you are not required to file taxes. Now, it’s vital that all contributors check the box to grant permission to transfer IRS data. If this box is not checked, it will be considered an “unprocessed FAFSA.” When the consent form comes up, the contributor will need to scroll down past the legal language, find the “approve” box and select it to consent. If contributors do not consent, the student will not be considered for financial aid.
Gather Information. You will need to gather some information before you begin filling out the FAFSA. For the 2024–2025 school year, you will need your 2022 income information. See this link for a full listing of potential information needed.
Filling out the FAFSA.
Submit the FAFSA as soon as possible once it becomes available in December. Take your time though, do not rush or guess to avoid unnecessary errors or delays!
The FAFSA is a roles-based form; students will see only their section and parents (referred to as “contributors”) will see only their section. Each contributor will use their FSA ID to access their respective section.
If a dependent student begins the process, they will be prompted to provide contributor information in their section. If the parent “contributor” starts their section first, they will be required to provide student information in their section.
The schools you list on your FAFSA will receive your FAFSA information electronically. You can list up to 20 colleges on the FAFSA.
FAFSA Submission Summary (FSS) will not be available until the end of January 2024. Students will receive a confirmation email in the interim. Financial aid offices won’t get student FAFSA information for those that complete their FAFSA early until the end of January, so financial aid award letters will be delayed until February.
FAFSA_Senior24.mp4Need Help?
Email Hallie Moore at hmoore@tcsnc.org to schedule an appointment!
OR
Families may also contact the following places to set up an appointment to receive help locally. These places offer FAFSA support regardless of if the student plans to attend that particular school.
Blue Ridge Community College: Financial Aid Department
Brevard College: Financial Aid Department
SECU: Local branch
Financial Aid Departments of the colleges you're applying to may also be helpful to contact.