FAFSA Simplification

Better FAFSA

FAFSA Simplification Act- Expands access to federal student aid and introduces significant changes to the FAFSA process, including changes to the FAFSA form, how students and families will complete it, and the eligibility calculation.

FUTURE Act- Enhances the FAFS experience by allowing the U.S. Department of Education to automatically obtain federal tax information from the IRS for students, parents, and other contributors (such as a spouse or stepparent) who provide consent and approval.

2024-2025 FAFSA is available now!

Application Link

Note: The 2024–25 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®) form is available periodically as part of a soft launch. During the soft launch, the FAFSA form will be available for short periods while the Department of Education monitors site performance and form functionality. There may be pauses for site maintenance and technical updates as needed.

  • Parents without social security numbers must create an FSA ID to sign and consent.
  • We should receive ISIRs by mid-March, and students can check Self-Service for 24-25 by the mid-end of April.
    • Note: The dates provided are subject to change.
  • If you usually receive or are expected to receive the CA Promise Grant (BOG), it will not be in your account until we import your application at the end of April. Please register for classes to not lose your spot.
    • Accounts will be automatically rebilled once the California Promise Waivers enter the system in mid-April. Classes will not be dropped for non-payment.
  • It will allow students to add up to 20 colleges. 
  • Regardless of whether they file a US tax return, all students, parents, and spouses must check a box that grants the IRS permission to transfer any data they have directly into the FAFSA form.
    • If no information is on file with the IRS, codes will be sent indicating that person’s status with the IRS. All contributors providing information on the form must grant permission, or the student will not be eligible for federal student aid.
  • If any contributor to the FAFSA form does not provide consent, submission of the form will still be allowed. However, a Student Aid Index (SAI) will not be calculated, which may lead to an incomplete application.
  • Family size will be based on the number of tax exemptions claimed on the tax form(s) transferred into the FAFSA. If the family size has changed since filing the 2022 tax forms, a family size question will allow for reporting the updated family size.
  • Child support received has been moved to the asset section of the form and will, therefore, only need to be reported for those families required to report assets. Child support paid out of the household is no longer a question on the form.
  • There will be two-step verification, and all FAFSA contributors must have an FSA ID to log into the online form. There will be a new process to get an FSA ID for parents and spouses without a Social Security number.

  • FAFSA Submission Summary (FSS)- Student Aid Report
  • Direct Data Exchange (DDX)- Replaces IRS Data Retrieval Tool (DRT)
  • Student Aid Index (SAI)- Replacing EFC
  • Provisional SAI- Initial SAI given to students before verification.
  • Contributor- Any person required to submit information and sign the FAFSA.
  • Parent Wizard- Assists in determining what parent/contributor is required on the application
  • Unusual Circumstances = Dependency Override
  • Special Circumstances = Review of Income
  • Consent- Contributors must consent to the application or no federal aid.  

Students transferring to a 4-year institution or university: April 2nd, 2024.

Students continuing at CHC Fall 2024, September 2nd, 2024.

The FSA ID is required to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) online as a student applicant or contributor (parent/stepparent or spouse of a student applicant.).
 In the past, a Social Security Number (SSN) was required to obtain an FSA ID, but students’ spouses, parents, and stepparents who do not have an SSN can not get an FSA ID.

How to get an FSA ID for Individuals Without a Social Security Number

Como obtener un FSA ID para personas sin un Numero de Seguro Social (SSN)

Attestation & Validation of Identity

  • Can a student or parent access the 2024-2025 FAFSA without an FSA ID?
    • No. Every student, parent, or spouse wishing to log in and complete or sign the FAFSA must have a verified FSA ID. You can no longer access a FAFSA with student demographic information only. An FSA ID takes one to three days to go through the verification process. Everyone should anticipate setting up their FSA ID at least one week before starting the FAFSA.
  • What do I do if I forgot my FSA ID username and/or password?
    • If you have an FSA ID but don't remember your username, select "Forgot Username"
  • Which Parent To List As a Contributor (2024–25)?
  • How can I change schools after I submit my FAFSA ®form?

cadaa

The 2024-25 CA Dream Act is changing due to an overhaul of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). CA Dream Act applications are now available. The priority deadline for Cal Grant has been extended to April 2, 2024, for FAFSA and CADAA filers. 

The 2024-25 CA Dream Act Application (CADAA) includes some of the changes from the new FAFSA such as the incorporation of the Student Aid Index in lieu of the Expected Family Contribution.