The new FAFSA: What you need to know to get financial aid for college

Washington CNN —

There’s one form prospective and currentcollege students must submit in order to receive federal financial aid, and it looks a lot different than in prior years.

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid, better known as the FAFSA, has long been due for an update. On December 30, a new version of the form was released – a culmination of changes approved by Congress in 2019 and 2020.

The new FAFSA, which will be used to determine financial aid eligibility for the 2024-25 academic year, is shorter and easier to fill out.

Additionally, many low-income borrowers are expected to be eligible for more financial assistance, though some other applicants – particularly those with siblings also enrolled in college – could see less.

But the changes may cause some headaches in 2024as families and colleges adapt to the new form.

This screenshot from the Free Application for Federal Student Aid website shows the new form is occasionally unavailable because of maintenance.

Have you filled out the new FAFSA to get college financial aid?

At first, families may experience times when the FAFSA application is “paused” for site maintenance. During what the Department of Education is calling a “soft launch period,” the agency will be monitoring site performance, conducting planned pauses for maintenance and making updates. The online form was only available for 30 minutes on December 30, another 30-minute window on December 31 and a two-hour window on January 1.

“Users who go on-line during a temporary pause should check back at a later time to complete the form,” the Department of Education said.

The FAFSA determines eligibility for federal Pell Grants and federal student loans – and in most cases, the