FAFSA 2024 Delayed Until December
The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) 2024 is delayed until December due to significant changes in the application process. FAFSA 2024 is available now and was opened on December 30, 2023. This is the first time since 2016 that FAFSA application form will not be ready on Oct 01. FAFSA is used for federal student loans and grants and many private scholarship offering organizations and schools also use FAFSA data for financial assistance. Hence, it will be a major setback for low income families, as they will have to wait for receiving study loans.
If families aren’t ready to go when the new FAFSA is released this year, they could miss out on vital aid to help them cover college expenses. However, major changes are being expected in the FAFSA application form. Application process will be easier for students and families after chances. More information about updates to the FAFSA form is available here: StudentAid.gov/decemberfafsa.
The Federal Government offers billions of dollars in grants, work-study and loans each year to help students pay for their studies. All students coming from low income families must submit the FAFSA. Many US Universities, colleges and schools uses the FAFSA to determine eligibility for most financial aid programs and some scholarships.
Because some funds are distributed on a first-come, first-served basis, students are more likely to receive assistance if eligible by submitting the FAFSA as soon as possible, this year beginning in December.
According to the office of Federal Student Aid, changes to the FAFSA for the 2024–25 aid year include expanded eligibility for federal student aid and a more streamlined application process. Specific changes relevant to faculty and staff will be discussed during upcoming virtual sessions with Financial Aid staff.
Meet College Deadline even though FAFSA 2024 is delayed
States and schools can have financial aid deadlines much earlier than the FAFSA deadline. Missing an institution’s deadline could mean missing out on aid. Incoming students must get their college list ready now and keep track of critical deadlines.