Fafsa Due Date For Fall 2023 – Every person preparing to attend college should know about the Free Application for Federal Student Aid and the application process. October means FAFSA applications are open for 2023-2024. Our video blog will cover frequently asked questions and 4 FAFSA tips.
The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is the official form that all incoming and returning students fill out for the upcoming academic year. The FAFSA is a prerequisite for federal student loans, grants, and professional studies, and colleges may require it before disbursing institutional aid to students.
Fafsa Due Date For Fall 2023
To determine a family’s financial need, the FAFSA asks a series of questions about family income, student income, assets, and other factors such as the number of children in the family. Then comes the expected family contribution (EFC). In July 2023, the EFC will be renamed the Student Aid Index (SAI) to clarify its meaning. Based on the information you provide, the FAFSA will determine whether you qualify for need-based aid, non-need-based aid, or a combination of the two.
Fafsa Changes Are Coming. Here’s What You Need To Know.
The FAFSA is an application used to determine your eligibility for a federal loan. There are three types of financial aid for which students may be eligible. Some of this financial aid is free money, some must be earned through work, and some must be repaid.
The amount of money you receive depends on what they determine to be your financial need. The average amount is about $5,000.
To qualify for various forms of federal student aid, you generally must have some type of financial need, be a US citizen or eligible non-citizen, and be enrolled in an eligible degree or certificate program at a college or vocational school. However, there are several eligibility requirements depending on the type of financial aid.
Filing The Fafsa 2023 24: A Simple Guide For Students
First, you and your student will need to get a federal student ID, FSA ID, (which you can do online by following the instructions at studentaid.gov. Once you have an FSA ID, you can use it every year.
Second, you will need to file the FAFSA. The fastest and easiest way to submit it is online at studentaid.gov. Online FAFSA allows you to import your tax information directly from the IRS, which speeds up the overall process and reduces errors. The site contains resources and tools to help you complete the form, including a list of the documents and information you will need to submit it. Students must submit the FAFSA each year to be eligible for financial aid (along with any other financial aid forms that may be required for college, such as the CSS Profile). Any colleges you list on the FAFSA will also receive a copy of the report. There are no fees for submitting an application. It will take you about 45-60 minutes to complete and is best done with your student.
The FAFSA looks at income, assets, and household information (for example, family size) to calculate how much a family can afford. This figure is known as the EFC or Expected Family Contribution. All financial aid packages are built around this number.
Office Of Financial Aid At The University Of Northern Colorado
It uses the data from your tax return from two years ago when calculating your income. This year is often called the “base year” or “prior year”. For example, the 2023-2024 FAFSA. they will use the income information from their 2021 tax return, so 2021 would be the base year or previous year.
When counting assets, the current value of your assets and your child’s assets is used. Some assets are not counted and do not need to be listed on the FAFSA. This includes equity in a primary residence, retirement accounts (eg, 401(k), IRA), annuities, and cash life insurance. Student assets have more weight than parents’ assets; students must invest 20% of their assets versus 5.6% for parents.
Your EFC remains constant regardless of which college your student attends. The difference between the EFC and the cost of attending college is equal to your student’s financial need. Your student’s financial needs will be different at each school due to the cost of attendance.
How To Complete The 2022 2023 Fafsa
After the EFC is calculated, the financial aid administrator at your student’s school will try to design an aid package to meet your child’s financial needs, offering a combination of loans, grants, scholarships and work-study. Keep in mind that colleges are not required to meet 100% of your child’s financial needs. If they don’t, you are responsible for paying the difference.
US citizens will need their social security number, driver’s license number, and tax and income records. The FAFSA Checklist can be helpful to pre-check to make sure you have all your documents together before completing your application.
Yes, you should probably file the FAFSA even if your student is unlikely to qualify for aid. There are two good reasons for doing this.
Fafsa Deadlines For Financial Aid
You must complete the FAFSA between October 1, 2022 and June 30, 2023 to be considered for federal financial aid for 2023-2024.
Although you don’t have to fill out the FAFSA until October 1st, it’s a good idea to file it as early as possible in the fall because some federal aid programs operate on a first-come, first-served basis. Colleges usually have a priority enrollment date for both incoming and returning students; the submission priority date can be found in the financial aid section of the college website. You should submit your application before that date.
There are federal, state and school deadlines. The FAFSA deadline set by the federal government is June 30, 2024 for the 2023-2024 school year. Any corrections or updates to your FAFSA application must be made by September 10, 2024. Colleges and states may set their own earlier FAFSA deadlines. It is important to check all deadlines to ensure you apply on time. The earlier you apply, the better your chances of receiving financial aid.
Don’t Fear The Fafsa: Renew Your 2023 2024 Application
Also, if you have not applied for financial aid for the 2022-2023 academic year, you have until June 30, 2023 to apply.
Apply early for the best chance of receiving financial aid. Many states spread the money around until it runs out, so the sooner you apply, the better your chances of getting financial aid.
The parent you have lived with for the past 12 months should be the one completing the FAFSA application. If your parents still live together, you will need information from both parents.
File Your Fafsa
Yes, you can change your FAFSA if you find mistakes and need to update information. Log in to fafsa.ed.gov, then go to the “My FAFSA” page, then click on “Make FAFSA Corrections.”
You should receive your student aid report approximately 3 days to 3 weeks after you submit your FASFA form.
Fill out the FAFSA early, even if you don’t think you qualify, so you know your EFC and evaluate different financial aid packages and the implications for each school. Sometimes a more expensive school can be a better deal. Most families qualify for some form of federal financial aid for college.
Missed Fafsa Deadline: What To Do Next
If you’re interested in ways to save and pay for college, check back soon as we’ll be creating a whole series on saving for college. Finally, if you’re saving for college, you should have a strategy for making the most of your money and resources. Feel free to schedule a free discovery call with one of our fiduciary financial advisors today!
Shanna Due, AFC® is a fee-based financial planner based in Williamsburg, Virginia. She uses her University of Northern Colorado master’s degree, certifications and two decades of experience to help professionals in their 30s and 40s achieve their financial goals. It does this through targeted savings and investments, tax reduction, retirement planning and risk reduction. To find out how she and the District Capital Management team can help you schedule a free discovery call.
District Capital is an independent, fee-based financial planning firm. We help professionals and entrepreneurs in their 30s and 40s improve their finances and get the most out of their money. We are located in Washington, D.C. and we work with people almost all over the country. FAFSA changes for the 2023-2024 academic year are coming. A new, shorter version of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) aims to encourage more families to complete it and qualify for financial aid. However, changes to the formula could reduce aid for some families, especially wealthier ones with more than one child in college.
How To Complete The 2023 2024 Fafsa Application
A major bill rushed through Congress in late December included changes intended to simplify the form. The primary access to grants, loans and other financial aid for higher education, the FAFSA uses information about parents’ and students’ finances to calculate eligibility for need-based financial aid. But in recent months, fewer students, especially those from low-income families, have filed the complex form for the 2021/2022 academic year, meaning they are less likely to receive aid and attend college.
In an effort to form