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As we continue to navigate through the FAFSA Simplification changes we want to keep you informed about how this impacts our processes here at ÎçÒ¹Ó°Ôº. In mid-March, the Department of Education began sending small batches of 2024-25 FAFSA data to schools. To accommodate the additional time needed to process the backlog of applications we'll receive, we expect to be able to begin notifying students that ÎçÒ¹Ó°Ôº has received their FAFSA in mid to late-April.

We understand that waiting for confirmation can be nerve-wracking, but please rest assured that we are diligently working to streamline the process and ensure that each application is reviewed promptly.
Thank you for your patience and understanding as we navigate through these changes together.

Department of Education Updates

The ability for students to make updates and corrections to their FAFSA forms will be available in the first half of April. In advance of that implementation, the Department of Education will provide detailed information to partners, students, and families on how to correct the most common FAFSA form errors including no signatures and selecting ‘yes’ to applying for unsubsidized loans only (Question 8).

Understanding the Student Aid Index (SAI) Versus Expected Family Contribution (EFC)

The 2024-25 Student Aid Index (SAI) and Pell Grant Eligibility Guide provides detailed information on the calculation of the SAI. Primary differences in the calculation from the former EFC include removing the number of family members in college from the calculation, allowing a minimum SAI of -1,500, and, importantly, implements separate eligibility determination criteria for Federal Pell Grants.

Beginning with the 2024-25 award year, the Federal Pell Grant scheduled award determination consists of three steps and does not necessarily include the calculated SAI. Overall, the FAFSA Simplification Act expands the Pell Grant to more students, but the revised calculation will result in a variation of eligibility changes.

Supplemental documents to the 2024-25 Student Aid Index (SAI) and Pell Grant Eligibility Guide include an EFC to SAI Crosswalk, and details on adjusting the Pell Grant due to enrollment intensity, which replaces the need for the Pell Grant Payment and Disbursement Schedules. Appendix C of the guide details how the family size is determined for the SAI calculation, which now aligns with the number of individuals claimed on the tax return.

When and where can students view the status of their FAFSA form?

Starting in the first half of March, applicants may check the status of their 2024–25 FAFSA form on . To check the status, applicants should follow these steps: 

• Log in using their account username and password (FSAID).
• Navigate to their account Dashboard.
• Select "2024-25 FAFSA Form" from the "My Activity" page. The application status will be one of the following:
  • Draft: Your section of the FAFSA form is incomplete.
  • In Progress: You provided your consent, approval, and signature to your section of the FAFSA form, but the FAFSA form has not been submitted yet.
  • In Review: You have submitted your form and your application is still processing.  
  • Processed: Your application was processed successfully. No further action is needed. 
  • Action Required: Your application requires further action from you or your contributor(s). In some cases, you may need to contact your college or career/trade school to resolve the issue.
  • Closed: Your FAFSA form was never submitted and can no longer be submitted because the federal FAFSA deadline passed.

What can applicants use to show proof of their FAFSA form submission to meet various aid deadlines? 

If applicants submitted the online form, they use a copy of their confirmation email as proof of their submission. This email is sent to the applicant immediately following the submission of their FAFSA form. Alternatively, they may take a screenshot of their confirmation screen after they have submitted their form online. This screen appears to the user upon submission of the FAFSA form.

If the applicant filed via the paper FAFSA form, the FAFSA Submission Summary includes the received date of the application. However, due to FAFSA processing delays, paper FAFSA forms will be processed after online forms and FAFSA Submission Summaries for paper filers may be delayed. Students should check with the organization requesting proof of filing to determine what is acceptable documentation.

Additional Resources

We have included a couple of links below, which contain articles that may be helpful to your families or the counselors you support.  has excellent resources and information to use and share.