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A Better FAFSA Means A Better Future

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) Simplification Act represents the first significant overhaul of the processes and systems used to award federal student aid in more than 40 years. Starting with the 2024–25 year.

 

Aid offers are delayed. 

The FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) is used to determine your financial aid based on financial need and eligibility. Your FAFSA information is typically transferred to schools when you complete the form. However, implementation of changes required by the FAFSA Simplification Act caused a delay with the newly designed 2024-2025 FAFSA and the information is not ready. Without your FAFSA information, we are currently unable to determine your aid offer.  We're working as hard  as we can to get that information and then award students as soon as possible.

 

 If you would like an estimate of your SAI and what federal aid you may be eligible to receive you can use the federal SAI estimator here.

 

Many students cannot complete the FAFSA.

There are known issues with the FAFSA form. If you are having trouble completing the form or are curious about the issues, you can find an updated list of issues here.

If you cannot sign the FAFSA form you may want to submit a paper FAFSA which can be found Here in English and Spanish.

 

 Still Need to Complete your FAFSA?

If you have questions or issues with the FAFSA or want help to complete it we're here for you.  We're available 8-5 Monday-Friday for  walk-ins, phone calls (828-262-2190), and emails (financialaid@appstate.edu). for virtual Assistance feel free to find us here.

What's New?

New Date

The 2024-2025 FAFSA opens on Dec. 31, 2023 at 11:59 p.m. This is a temporary change. In future years, the FAFSA will open Oct. 1.

App State's priority filing date is March 1, 2024. Submit the FAFSA by this date to ensure you are considered for all aid and scholarship opportunities for which you are eligible.

New Form

The new form has fewer questions, fewer requirements and allows the IRS to import tax information directly into the FAFSA.

New Terms

The Expected Family Contribution (EFC) will now be referred to as the Student Aid Index (SAI). This is the number used to determine how much financial aid the student is eligible to receive.

The new FAFSA introduces the term contributor, which refers to student spouses and parents who contribute information on a student's FAFSA form. It does not mean they will contribute to the student's educational expenses.

New Eligibility

Federal Pell Grant eligibility is expanded to more students and will link eligibility to family size and the federal poverty level.

What Can I Do Now?

The best way to be prepared is to get prepared. Here are some steps you can take now.

Get Started

If you are interested in attending App State or currently attend and want to apply for financial aid, learn more about the steps and how to complete the FAFSA.

Questions? Schedule an appointment with a counselor.