24-25 FAFSA Soft Launch
For current issues with the 2024-25 FAFSA, please click here
The Department of Education has begun its soft launch of the 2024-25 FAFSA, during which time the application will be available to students and families periodically as the department pulls the form down from time to time to perform maintenance and address any potential issues.
Please note:
- Upon submission students will receive a Confirmation Page email specifying their submission date, estimated Student Aid Index (SAI), and anticipated Direct Loan eligibility.
- Student can now make corrections to their FAFSA!
- Financial Aid Offers expected to be completed and sent out late April.
For your financial aid estimate please use your Prince Net Calculator.
What you need to know
The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is getting a major overhaul for the 2024-25 academic year. The FAFSA Simplification Act, passed by Congress in 2020, aims to make the financial aid application process easier for college students and CBU is here to help you and your family navigate the upcoming changes.
2024-2025 Availability Date
The 24-25 FAFSA will open by December 31, 2023 instead of the normal date of October 1, 2023.
Simplified Application
The total number of questions has been reduced for the 24-25 FAFSA along with an improved process for directly transferring your tax information from the IRS.
New Terminology
- “Student Aid Index” (SAI) is replacing Expected Family Contribution (EFC). This change is to help clarify that the SAI is not the cost a family will pay for college but an index used to help determine financial aid. This name change is accompanied by a change to the calculation used to determine SAI.
- “Contributor” is anyone who is required to provide a signature on the FAFSA form as well as provide consent and approval to have their federal tax information transferred from the IRS directly into the FAFSA. This includes the student, and may include the student’s spouse, a biological or adoptive parent, or the parent’s spouse (stepparent).
- “Consent” is an agreement every contributor must accept for their financial information to be used on the student's FASFA.
- “Family Size” is replacing the household size and is tied to dependents listed on the filed taxes or can be updated manually while completing the FAFSA.
California Dream Act Application (CADAA) Updates
Some of the questions and terminology in the CADAA are being updated to more closely mirror the FAFSA’s changes. It will also be released in December and due to the postponement the CADAA priority deadline has been pushed to April 2, 2024.
Resources for Students
Federal Student Aid
Federal Student Aid YouTube Channel
CBU Financial Aid and FAFSA Workshops – FAFSA Workshop Registration opens Friday, December 8, 2024
Schedule an Appointment with Your Counselor
Email us at: finaid@calbaptist.edu