By Sevanah Sandoval
If you are applying for college this fall, chances are that money is on your mind. Paying for a college education can be a large burden, and even if your family is ready to help you, seeking out financial aid is valuable to reduce the costs you will bear. Various types of aid, from outside scholarships to loans, are available. One of the most prominent means of applying for such aid is through the FAFSA.
The Free Application for Federal Aid, otherwise known as the FAFSA, is exactly what the title makes it sound like: a free application for students to apply for financial aid from the government. It is widely used in the US among public and private schools. By filling out the FAFSA, students are able to apply for aid ranging from Federal Pell Grants to work-study programs, and all sorts of other scholarships and grants.
If you already knew about the FAFSA, chances are that you also knew it typically opens by October 1st. This year, however, the FAFSA is undergoing large changes meant to “simplify” the process. The official FAFSA website has explained that the changes the application is undergoing will “[expand] eligibility for federal student aid” and create “a more streamlined application process.”
So, when is the FAFSA opening? Currently, there is no specific date. All we know is that the FAFSA will open at some point this December. In the meantime, it is suggested that you create your StudentAid.gov account so it is ready when the 2024-2025 FAFSA is launched. I also recommend writing down the FAFSA codes (an identifier assigned to colleges by the Department of Education) and deadlines for the schools you are applying to. Though it varies among private and out of state schools, both the UC and CSU school systems have set their due date for FAFSA applications as March 2nd.
Speaking of private schools, applicants to private institutions should look into each school’s financial aid information. Many private institutions use the College Scholarship Service (CSS) to determine applicant eligibility for non-government financial aid. Unlike the FAFSA, the CSS for 2024-2025 opened on October 1st, so you can already begin the application process. Be sure to find the CSS codes and deadlines for the schools you are applying to so that you aren’t blindsided by any unforeseen due dates.
To close this article, I want to leave you with some advice from Benicia High’s College and Career counselor, Mrs. Marwick:
“The first thing I would say is don’t panic just because [the FAFSA is] opening later than usual. The changes that are coming are supposed to make it much easier and faster to fill out by matching your family’s income tax information with the IRS database. The most important thing to remember is that every person who needs to provide information on the FAFSA (you, your parent/guardian) will need an FSA ID to access and complete their section of the online form. Also, Mr. Greene and I will be hosting FAFSA labs during access next semester to help you. Please be patient because we’ll be learning about the changes at the same time as you are. As soon as we hear when the FAFSA will open, we’ll share it with all of you!”
So, there you have it. Keep up to date with information from the counselors, and you’ll be ready when the FAFSA finally opens.
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