Changes for 2024-2025 Financial Aid

• Parents and spouses without a social security number can now get an FSA ID username and password.  An FSA ID is now required to complete the FAFSA. 
• The student, parent(s), and spouse, who are required to submit information on the student’s FAFSA are now referred to as “Contributors”. 
• “Contributors” are required to consent and approve the US Department of Education capturing their IRS data and using it during the financial aid process.  This is similar to the Data Retrieval Tool.  If a “contributor” does not give consent and approval, the student will not be eligible for financial aid. 
• New tools will help families with divorced, separated, widowed, or never married parents determine which parent(s) should enter their information on the student’s FAFSA. 
• The term Expected Family Contribution is being replaced with a Student Aid Index, which can be a negative number. 

The following video will provide more detail on the changes to the 2024-25 FAFSA. For a detailed look at the new FAFSA see our FAFSA Walkthrough Video Series.

Be Prepared

Create Your FSA ID: All “contributors” must have an FSA ID; this includes the student, parent(s), and/or spouse.  Those without a Social Security Number can now get an FSA ID which is necessary to add their information to the student’s FAFSA. How to Create an Account and Username (FSA ID) for StudentAid.gov – Video.

When Will Highline Receive Your FAFSA Information

The US Department of Education will release your FAFSA information to schools beginning at the end of January 2024.  Due to the software Highline uses to process financial aid, Highline’s Financial Aid Office will not start downloading student FAFSA information until around March 1, 2024.  After this date, the Highline Financial Aid Office will usually receive your FAFSA information and corrections in 7-10 business days after you submit it.