FAFSA application gets remodeled, new form coming in December

DELMARVA – For the first time in years, the Free Application for Federal Student Aid did not open on its typical October 1st date. That’s because the application process is getting a revamp.

The University of Maryland Eastern Shore’s financial aid office said this will be the biggest remodel the application has seen in 40 years. The move followed the passing of the FAFSA Simplification Act.

With those changes, the application will become more user-friendly and drop the number of questions from 108 to 46. We’re told it removes a variety of questions regarding housing, the selective service, and if a student has been convicted of a drug-related offense.

UMES Financial Aid Director Danena Livingston said with the changes comes a delay, which may include prolonged awards. “Each institution will put into place and implement the required changes. Not only is the FAFSA changing, but it has an effect on our software, through which we provide financial aid awards. So, there’s a lot of changes your campus will have to go through,” Livingston said.

Livingston added they’re still awaiting on that magic date in December when the application will be released. She added that the federal government has also changed other components such as the Expected Family Contribution, which has been replaced with the Student Aid Index. The thought is that more students will be Pell-eligible, but some of the changes could impact some students negatively. “The federal government would no longer take into account multiple children in college at the same time, so a family’s normal allowance is no longer available,” Livingston said.

Despite that, Livingston said that they anticipate most of these changes will positively impact students. With those delays, we’re told it’s a great time for students and parents to get their Federal Student Aid ID to sign their FAFSA application.

Maryland students will want to submit their applications before March 1st to apply for the Maryland State Scholarship.

Another new thing for 2024–2025 applications is that students and parents will have to give consent for their tax information to be retrieved from the IRS.

Experts also advise keeping track and going to the FAFSA website to educate yourself about these changes.