2024-2025 FAFSA Simplification

The Expected Family Contribution (EFC) has been replaced by the Student Aid Index (SAI) in the federal financial aid process. The SAI serves as the new measure of a student’s eligibility for federal financial aid programs. Unlike the EFC, which can be as low as $0, the minimum Student Aid Index will be -$1,500.

The act mandates the utilization of IRS data to streamline the application process. Income data will be directly pulled from the IRS, reducing the need for manual income reporting. The Data Retrieval Tool (DRT) will now be referred to as the Direct Data Exchange (DDX) for the Federal Taxpayer Information (FTI).

Any person providing information on the FASFA is known as a “Contributor”. Every contributor, whether it’s the student, the student’s spouse, a biological or adoptive parent, or the parent’s spouse, must obtain an FSA ID to access and complete their respective sections of the online FAFSA form. Additionally, ALL contributors are required to provide consent and approval for the direct transfer of their federal tax information into the student’s FAFSA form through a direct data exchange with the IRS. If your parents filed taxes jointly, only one parent is required as a contributor and will report information for both parents.

While the FAFSA will still inquire about the number of family members in college, it will no longer factor into the federal, state, and institutional financial aid calculations.

A dependent student whose parents are divorced or separated will report the income for the parent who provides the most financial support regardless of whom the student lives with.

Will be allowed to apply for an FSA ID. This advancement will expedite the processing of the FAFSA, allowing them to conveniently submit the form online, eliminating the need to print, sign, and mail their application.

 

ID VERIFICATION FOR INDIVIDUALS WITHOUT SSN'S - PROCESS

• Contact FSAIC at 1-800-433-3243
• a customer service representative will look up your account and initiate the identity verification process
• you will receive an email with a case number and instructions for providing the proper documentation for us to verify your identity
• submit the required documentation
• within 1-3 days FSA will provide an email confirming that your identity has been verified

 

ID VERIFICATION FOR INDIVIDUALS WITHOUT SSN'S -REQUIRED DOCUMENTS

Completed Attestation Form

• Will be available on StudentAid.gov

Proof of Identity

• ONE of the following forms of ID
  • Driver's License
  • State or City Identification Card
  • Foreign Passport

            OR

A UTILITY BILL + ONE of the following forms of ID

• Municipal identification card
• Community ID
• Consular identification card