The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) has long been the gateway for students across the United States to access federal, state, and institutional financial aid. This year, FAFSA has undergone some changes that came to be through the FAFSA Simplification Act which introduced a new formula that could impact financial aid packages, with a direct data exchange with the IRS and far fewer questions. However, the 2024-25 FAFSA has introduced significant changes that simplify the process and present new challenges, especially for first-generation and low-income students.

FAFSA soft-launched on December 30, with a significant redesign intended to streamline the process and reduce the number of questions​​. However, there have been some challenges with the launch. Financial aid packages are expected to be delayed, with the U.S. Education Department beginning to send FAFSA information to colleges only in mid-March​​. Despite the delays and issues, it’s crucial to submit FAFSA to unlock various forms of federal, state, and school-based financial aid​​.

Key Changes and Issues

The redesigned FAFSA launched after a three-month delay and represents the most substantial overhaul of the application process since the Reagan administration. This new version aims to streamline the experience with fewer questions​​. However, its roll-out has not been without problems. Some notable technical issues have emerged, including difficulties entering spouse information for married students or parents, challenges for students without a Social Security number, and errors related to federal school codes for inactive schools​​. These glitches have necessitated specific workarounds and underscore the importance of comprehensive support from educational institutions.

Additionally, colleges will receive student’s information in mid-March. Colleges may need to rethink or change the timelines for their incoming classes. However, this also means incoming students will have a shorter time frame to make informed financial decisions on the colleges they may want to attend. The new FAFSA creates additional barriers for first-generation and low-income students, who already face unique social, academic, and financial challenges in accessing higher education. The current issues with the FAFSA, combined with a lack of awareness and support, could exacerbate these challenges. The total impact of these setbacks will not be known until later this year.

How Colleges and Universities Can Help

Educational institutions have a critical role in supporting students through these challenges. By increasing awareness, providing personalized assistance, and creating easy-to-understand resources, colleges can help demystify the FAFSA process. Hosting events, leveraging technology, and offering multilingual support are strategies to improve accessibility and encourage timely completion​​​​. Moreover, collaboration with high schools and peer mentoring programs can prepare students before they reach the college application process, ensuring they are better equipped to tackle financial aid hurdles. Due to the setbacks with this revised FAFSA, the approaching months will be crucial for universities and colleges as they assess financial aid packages and admission decisions, potentially necessitating adjustments to their decision timelines.

Our Outreach Team

At the Education Research & Opportunity Center (UTK ERO), our outreach team is doubling down on assisting students with the new FAFSA. The Educational Opportunity Center (EOC) offers resources and personal 1:1 support to assist students, incoming students, and families with financial aid counseling. The financial literacy expertise provided by EOC is essential in supporting our participants, who are predominantly from low-income backgrounds and are the first in their families to pursue higher education. Our principal investigator, Stephanie Langley, will lead our EOC team through these challenges, ensuring that we navigate them effectively and make informed decisions. Given the setbacks with this revised FAFSA, March is critical for students, universities, and colleges. To facilitate this process, our EOC team is diligently working through the university spring break to ensure we meet these critical deadlines and provide the best support possible.

The EOC team will be available to help students complete or troubleshoot their FAFSAs every Friday between now and April 19 (except for 3/15 and 3/19) from 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. at the Center for Financial Wellness across from One Stop. You can also request 1:1 support by calling the ERO Outreach Office at 865-974-4466. If you have a question about your specific financial aid package, your first call should be to One Stop https://onestop.utk.edu/, but EOC professionals are well-trained and ready to help students navigate this new FAFSA!

Despite the initial hiccups, the simplified FAFSA represents a step forward in making financial aid accessible to all students. It is crucial for educational institutions to actively guide students through the application process and advocate for continued improvements to the system. As policymakers and educators work to refine the FAFSA, the collective goal remains clear: to ensure that every student can pursue higher education without financial barriers. By addressing the current challenges and supporting all students through the application process, we can move closer to realizing this goal.

by Karina Beltrán