Note: Since this article was originally published, FSA has announced that the Better FAFSA will open by December 31, 2023.
With all the changes coming with the delayed 2024-25 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), branded as the “Better FAFSA” by the Office of Federal Student Aid (FSA), many National College Attainment Network (NCAN) members are wondering if they need a plan and how to do so. In this article, we’ll break down how to plan for the new Better FAFSA and what it should include.
Do I Need a Better FAFSA Plan?
If you or your organization is involved in helping students and their families complete and submit the FAFSA, then the answer is yes. The Better FAFSA will open by December 31, 2023 rather than October 1 this year, and although many states and
institutions have already pushed back financial aid deadlines, many have yet to do so. This will mean that many students will have less time to complete the FAFSA this
year. It is imperative that your organization is ready for this condensed timeline and makes the most efficient use of your (and your students’) time.
Even if your state has moved their financial aid deadlines back, the comprehensive changes coming to the new form and process will likely lead to plenty of confusion and questions from students. Making a plan can help prepare you to answer those questions.
So, What's Next?
Now that you know you’ll need to plan, what should you focus on? If you haven’t done so already, get up to speed on the changes coming with the Better FAFSA. NCAN is offering multiple virtual training opportunities throughout the fall that are free for members and non-members alike. We’re also offering in-person training after the 2023 NCAN National Conference in Dallas, TX, where attendees will hear directly from FSA staff. uAspire is also hosting a series of webinars in the fall covering the Better FAFSA.
Concurrently, organizations should schedule and plan FAFSA completion events for January 2024. Although the Better FAFSA will open in December, students’ and families’ attention will likely be diverted given the holidays.
What Should I Do in the Interim?
Although December seems far off, there’s plenty to do before the Better FAFSA opens.
Get a head start on identifying students with unusual or special circumstances who may need help navigating certain processes. Examples include changes or loss of income, parent separation or loss of a parent after the FAFSA has been submitted, and difficulty
communicating with parents. All these factors can make completing and submitting the FAFSA a challenge.
Given the delayed rollout, encourage your students to start applying for scholarships. You should also communicate other financial aid forms students may need to complete, such as the CSS Profile or any institutional forms.
Students and their families may wonder how much they can expect in federal financial aid. The good news is that FSA released the Pell Look-Up Tables in May, a key early awareness tool that can be used to better understand how much federal grant aid students can expect to receive for college. These tables are particularly important this year because they
provide a way for students to get an estimate of their Pell Grant long before they can complete the form and receive their official FAFSA Submission Summary. Learn more about using this tool here.
Lastly, since everyone inputting information into the new FAFSA (called “contributors”) will need to have an FSA ID to login-in and complete their section, NCAN is urging our members to host FSA ID creation events before the new form opens. This
is an ideal activity to help contributors get ready to fill out the FAFSA and raise awareness of the changes coming. While it is possible to create an FSA ID and fill out the FAFSA in the same day, it is not recommended given FSA has said it will take three to seven days for a documented student's FSA ID to be verified. Learn more about hosting FSA ID creation events here.
In summary, planning now for the Better FAFSA and doing what you can before the new form opens can make or break your FAFSA completion efforts. The students and families in your community rely on you for guidance on the FAFSA – make sure you’re prepared!
Do you have questions about how to plan for the delayed Better FAFSA? Email NCAN’s Senior Director of Strategic Programming MorraLee Keller at kellerm@ncan.org.
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