FAFSA Simplification Web Center
This web center was created to keep NASFAA members and the financial aid community updated on pertinent news related to FAFSA Simplification updates. Check back often as this page is updated regularly.
News Articles & Statements
- *NEW* October 11, 2024 - ED Provides Update on 2025-26 FAFSA Beta
- October 3, 2024 - ED Details Issues With 2024-25 Paper FAFSA Correction Functionality
- October 2, 2024 - ED Releases 2025-26 FSA Estimator, Parent Wizard, and Updated FAFSA Prototype
- October 1, 2024 - ED: First Round of Beta Testing for 2025-26 FAFSA Set to Begin for Hundreds of Students
- September 30, 2024 - FSA ‘Working Quickly’ to Resolve Two Known ISIR Issues and Reprocess ISIRs
- September 25, 2024 - GAO Calls on ED to Rebuild Trust in the FAFSA Process
More FAFSA Launch Coverage & Statements | More FAFSA Simplification News Coverage
Congressional Hearing on 2024-25 FAFSA Rollout
- Article: "From a Hardship to a Crisis" - NASFAA Testifies on Current Status of the FAFSA Rollout
- Written Testimony of Justin S. Draeger, President & CEO National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators
- Recording: FAFSA Fail: Examining the Impacts on Students, Families, and Schools
Webinars On-Demand
- Top AskRegs Questions: FAFSA Simplification
- Deep Dive Into the Student Aid Index (SAI)
- Completing the Paper 2024-25 FAFSA with Students Who Are Incarcerated Workshop
- FAFSA Update: 2024-25
- Verification 2024-25 (Extended Edition)
- Policy Update & Final FAFSA Countdown
- FAFSA Simplification: Planning for the Future*
AskRegs Questions & Answers
- *UPDATE* Is It Conflicting Information If The Contributor Indicated Nonfiler But Federal Tax Information Is On the ISIR?
- Can a School Collect FAFSA Signature Pages Starting With the 2024-25 Award Year?
- For the Return-To-School Option, What Must Happen To Qualify For Fresh Start By September 30, 2024?
- Do We Need To Separate Income Earned From Work When Verifying Or Resolving Conflicts For Joint Tax Filers?
- Can We Share FTI On an ISIR With the Student, Spouse, or Parent Contributor?
See all FAFSA Simplification AskRegs Questions
"Off The Cuff" Podcast Episodes
- October 4, 2024 - OTC Inside The Beltway: Beta Testing Begins for the 2025-26 FAFSA
- September 13, 2024 - OTC Inside the Beltway: A FAFSA Roadmap and Reporting Deadlines
- August 2, 2024 - OTC Inside the Beltway: Debriefing on Batch Corrections
- June 19, 2024 - OTC Inside the Beltway: The Latest on GE & FVT Regulations, SCOTUS' Regulatory Shakeup, and FAFSA Timelines
- June 14, 2024 - OTC Inside The Beltway: Justin Signs Off
- May 31, 2024 - OTC Inside the Beltway: 300 Episodes Later
See All "Off The Cuff" Episodes
Analysis
Significant changes to federal student aid policy, including simplifying the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and the Pell Grant eligibility criteria, expanding Pell Grant eligibility to incarcerated students, and the repeal of limitations on subsidized loan eligibility for undergraduate Direct Loans were attached to the FAFSA Simplification Act which was part of a larger bill called the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021.
A subsequent appropriations act (Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2022) authorized funding for fiscal year 2022 Pell Grants and made technical changes to the FAFSA Simplification Act.
- NASFAA Research Report Details Financial Aid Offices’ Insights and Concerns Over 2024-25 FAFSA Filing Rates Among First-Year Undergraduates
- NASFAA Offers Six Considerations for Developing Future FAFSA Forms
- Deep Dive: ED Issues FAFSA Simplification Implementation Guidance for 2024-25 Award Year
- Analysis of 2022 FAFSA Simplification Technical Amendments
- Analysis of 2021 FAFSA Simplification Provisions
- Q&A on Changes to Federal Student Aid Policy Included in Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021
- Removal of Number in College Yields More Equitable, Simple Application Process
Tools & Resources
- *UPDATED* 2024-25 FAFSA Key Dates Timeline (Updated October 2024)*
- April 2024 NASFAA Advocacy Update
- NASFAA FAFSA Launch Resources Page
- Explainer: How to Get an FSA ID without a Social Security Number*
- FAFSA Simplification Brief for Campus Partners*
- Professional Judgment Changes 2-Pager*
- PowerPoint FAFSA Simplification Presentation*
- Comment Codes Crosswalk (Updated May 2024: comment codes 158-160, 283-284, 325)**
- Community Resource Library: FAFSA Simplification Communication Samples
- 2023 FAFSA Simplification Pre-Implementation Survey
- 2024-25 Federal Methodology and Pell Formula Changes Flowchart*
- Chart: Legislative Changes to Federal Methodology and the Pell Grant Program, 2021+
- Chart: Detailed Summary of Non-Pell/Federal Methodology Changes from the FAFSA
- Implementation Checklist for Schools (PDF)*
- Timeline of Effective Dates from the 2021 & 2022 Consolidated Appropriations Acts
Surveys
- May 10, 2024 - Results From Fourth Quick Scan Survey: Financial Aid Offer Timing
- May 3, 2024 - Results From Third Quick Scan Survey: Financial Aid Offer Timing
- April 23, 2024 - Results From Second Quick Scan Survey: Financial Aid Offer Timing
- April 16, 2024 - Results From Quick Scan Survey: Financial Aid Offer Timing
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April 9, 2024 - 24-25 Aid Offer Distribution Date Poll Results
Self-Study Guides & Monographs
- 2024-25 Need Analysis Self-Study Guide
- 2024-25 Application Process Self-Study Guide
- 2024-25 Federal Pell Grant Program Self-Study Guide
- Monograph: Developing the Cost of Attendance
- Monograph: Professional Judgment in Eligibility Determination and Need Analysis
NASFAA 2023 Conference Session Recordings
- July 12 - FAFSA Simplification: Navigating Hot Topics, Latest Updates and Unresolved Issues* (Virtual Conference)
- July 2 - NASFAA Closing Session Featuring the New Student Aid Index*
- July 1 - U.S. Department of Education Federal Update*
- June 30 - General Session: FAFSA Simplification*
Department of Education & Congressional References
- FSA Training Center New and Enhanced Training Courses
- Updated Guide: How To Submit the FAFSA For Contributors Without an SSN
- FSA Provides Updated Resource on FAFSA Corrections for Students and Contributors
- White House Kicks of the “National FAFSA Week of Action”
- FSA to Host Two Webinars This Week on FAFSA Tax Data Issues, Common Technical Questions
- FSA Releases Technical FAQ and Known Issues Guide for 2024-25 FAFSA
- 2024–25 FAFSA Issue Alerts
- FSA Releases 2024-25 FAFSA Guidance for Puerto Rico and Other U.S. Territories Dual Tax Filers
- FSA Releases Update to Draft 2024-25 FAFSA Specifications Guide Including Final Comment Codes
- FSA Finalizes ISIR Record Layout and Portion the 2024-25 FAFSA Specifications Guide
- Trending Topics in FAFSA Simplification: Microlearning Video Series
- FSA Announces New FAFSA Webinar Focusing on FSA ID Creation
- ED Begins FAFSA Communication Campaign for 2023-24 Filers
- 2024–25 FAFSA Prototype
- ED Plans to Begin FAFSA Communications This Week
- FSA Unveils Student Aid Estimator for 2024-25
- FSA's FAFSA Simplification Webinar Series Is Now Available On Demand
- Department of Education FAFSA Simplification Information Page
- (ANN-23-01) Live Internet Webinars – Better FAFSA Better Future Webinar Series, June–July 2023
- Draft 2024-25 Paper FAFSA, March 2023
- HHS Poverty Guidelines
- H.R. 2471 - Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2022
- H.R. 133 - Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021
Blue Icon Advisors Resources
* These resources are generously sponsored by a grant from Strada Education Foundation.
** This resource is generously sponsored by a grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.
Publication Date: 10/11/2024