New FAFSA Form Coming Soon

Students at an outdoor university commencement ceremony. Dreamstime

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is changing for 2024 to 2025. This more streamlined form is projected to be available on Dec. 31, 2023. Completing the FAFSA is the first step in receiving financial aid for higher education.

Eighteen million families complete the FAFSA yearly. The new changes may expand those eligible to receive financial aid. But what are these recent changes? And who are the winners and losers?

FAFSA Simplification Act

The FAFSA has been overhauled as part of a federal appropriations measure passed in 2020. The goal was to simplify the FAFSA and open it up to more people.