The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), set to open for applications beginning Dec. 31, 2023, has undergone significant change for academic year 2024-25 and the university’s financial aid and scholarships group wants to educate students an families of the changes so they can be prepared when applications open.
More students will now be eligible for Pell grant funding. If students have not filed a FAFSA previously because they think they may only qualify for loans, they are strongly encouraged to complete the application this year. Boise State is predicting up to a 40% increase in students eligible for the Pell grant.
Here are five major changes students may notice when they complete the FAFSA:
- The term Expected Family Contribution (EFC) is now changing to Student Aid Index (SAI)
- If students or their parents have had a marriage change since filing 2022 taxes, be prepared for additional steps. Student’s spouse or parents’ new spouse may now be required to contribute their information on the FAFSA.
- Parents and spouses without Social Security Numbers are now eligible for an FSA ID. This new process will become available on Dec. 31.
- The FAFSA form will be brand new. Many students will find the form easier to complete.
- Students will no longer be able to complete the FAFSA on behalf of their spouse or parent. Students will invite “contributors” by email and spouses or parents will provide their own information via that invitation.
Students will not want to wait until the last minute to complete the FAFSA. Boise State will start receiving FAFSA data from the Department of Education in late January.
The financial aid and scholarships team is happy to speak with students or staff about the new FAFSA and Boise State scholarship opportunities.
Boise State’s FAFSA and Scholarship priority deadline will remain Feb. 15, 2024.