2024–25 FAFSA® Form Launch
The 2024–25 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®) form is now available. You can complete the form to apply for financial aid to help pay for attendance at college between July 1, 2024, and June 30, 2025. We may initiate pauses for site maintenance and to make technical updates as needed to provide you with a better experience.
Previously, technical issues prevented students from inviting contributors who don’t have a Social Security number (SSN) to participate in their FAFSA form. These issues have been resolved, and students can now invite contributors without an SSN to their form.
What’s New
The 2024–25 FAFSA form expands eligibility for federal student aid, including Pell Grants, and provides a streamlined user experience. An estimated 7.3 million students from low-income backgrounds will be eligible to receive Federal Pell Grants due to updates to student aid calculations. Plus, applicants will be able to skip as many as 26 questions, depending on their individual circumstances. Some applicants could answer as few as 18 questions, which could take less than 10 minutes.
What Happens After You Submit
When you submit your completed 2024–25 FAFSA form, you’ll get an email confirming that we received your form with preliminary information related to your eligibility for federal student aid. This will include your estimated Student Aid Index (SAI) and estimated eligibility for Federal Pell Grants.
In one to three days, your form will be processed and made available to your schools. Once your school(s) receive your FAFSA information, the ones you’ve been accepted to will begin sending you personalized aid information several weeks later. Until your school(s) and state receive your form, they won’t be able to answer questions about your aid eligibility or status.
Once your form is processed, you can also view your FAFSA Submission Summary on StudentAid.gov. The FAFSA Submission Summary will provide your official SAI calculation and Federal Pell Grant eligibility.
You can check the status of your FAFSA form at any time by logging in to StudentAid.gov and selecting your processed FAFSA submission from the “My Activity” section of your account Dashboard. The ability to make corrections to processed forms is now available.
Because many states have made changes to their aid processes for the 2024–25 award year, please review your state’s aid eligibility and deadline information.
The office of Federal Student Aid provides publications, fact sheets, online tools, and other resources to help you prepare and pay for college or career school. Financial aid from the federal government to help you pay for education expenses at an eligible college or career school. Grants, loans and work-study are types of federal student aid. You must complete the FAFSA form to apply for this aid.
College and university coursework is expensive. You need to decide how to support yourself and pay for your education. Financial aid can help. Financial aid is usually based either on need or merit (like achievement or exceptional skill or experience).
Types of Financial Aid
There are three basic types of financial aid available: grants, scholarships, and loans. The Federal Student Aid website has valuable information on the following types of aid, and related resources to help you find and apply for financial aid.
Grants
A grant is a form of financial aid that doesn’t have to be repaid (unless, for example, you withdraw from school and owe a refund, or you receive a TEACH Grant and don’t complete your service obligation). A variety of federal grants are available, including:
- Pell Grants,
- Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants (FSEOG),
- Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education (TEACH) Grants, and
- Iraq and Afghanistan Service Grants.
Scholarships
Many nonprofit and private organizations offer scholarships to help students pay for college or career school. This type of free money, which is sometimes based on academic merit, talent, or a particular area of study, can make a real difference in helping you manage your education expenses.
Work-Study Jobs
The Federal Work-Study Program allows you to earn money to pay for school by working part-time. You’ll earn at least the current federal minimum wage. However, you may earn more depending on the type of work you do and the skills required for the position. Your total work-study award depends on
- when you apply,
- your level of financial need, and
- your school’s funding level.
Loans
A loan is money you borrow and must pay back with interest. If you apply for financial aid, you may be offered loans as part of your school’s financial aid offer. When you receive a student loan, you are borrowing money to attend a college or career school. You must repay the loan as well as interest that accrues. It is important to understand your repayment options so you can successfully repay your loan.
Learn About Loans
Apply for Financial Aid
Federal student aid from ED covers such expenses as tuition and fees, housing and food, books and supplies, and transportation. Aid can also help pay for other related expenses, such as a computer and dependent care. Thousands of schools across the country participate in the federal student aid programs; ask the schools you’re interested in whether they do!
Apply for federal student aid—grants, work-study, and loans—using the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®) form. And remember, the first F in “FAFSA” stands for “free”—you shouldn’t pay to fill out the FAFSA form!
The FAFSA form you fill out should correspond with the school year you’re planning to seek aid for. For example, if you’re applying for financial aid for the 2024‒25 school year, fill out the 2024‒25 FAFSA form. Likewise, if you’re applying for financial aid for the 2023‒24 school year, fill out the 2023‒24 FAFSA form. If you plan to take summer classes, contact your school’s financial aid office to determine which FAFSA form you should fill out.
You can estimate your eligibility for federal student aid and your Student Aid Index for the 2024‒25 school year with our Federal Student Aid Estimator. Be sure to use the tool before you fill out the FAFSA form.
Aid for Military Families
There are special aid programs or additional aid eligibility for serving in the military or for being the spouse or child of a veteran.
Learn About Aid for Military Families
Aid for International Study
Federal student aid may be available for studying at a school outside the United States, whether you’re studying abroad or getting your degree from an international school.
Aid and Other Resources From the Federal Government
Besides aid from the U.S. Department of Education (ED), the federal government offers a number of other financial aid programs. These programs include:
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scholarships and loan repayment programs through the Department of Health and Human Services’ Indian Health Service, National Institutes of Health, and National Health Service Corps.
Aid From Your State Government
Other than federal aid, you might be eligible for financial assistance from your state. Contact your state grant agency for more information.
Aid From Your College or Career School
Many schools offer financial aid from their own grant and/or scholarship funds. Find out what might be available to you:
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Visit your school’s financial aid page on its website, or contact the financial aid office.
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Ask at the department that offers your course of study; they might have a scholarship for students in your major.
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Fill out any applications your school requires for its own aid programs, and meet your school’s deadlines.
To request copies of the paper FAFSA (English or Spanish available) contact:
Federal Student Aid Information Center (FSAIC)
PO Box 84
Washington, DC 20044
1-800-4-FED-AID (1-800-433-3243)
TTY 1-800-730-891
Resources
www.nasfaa.org
https://studentaid.gov
