FAFSA Simplification Is Here!

The 2024-2025 “Better FAFSA” has been released

The 2024-2025 FAFSA, being referred to as “Better FAFSA, Better Future” by Federal Student Aid (FSA), has been completely revised and simplified. Normally available on October 1, 2023, this year’s FAFSA was released at the end of December 2023 due to the significant overhaul to the FAFSA form and process. There are now fewer questions on the new “Better FAFSA,” making it easier to complete, and more security has been built into the redesigned process, specifically related to the creation and use of Federal Student Aid (FSA) IDs.

Below you’ll find tools, recorded presentations, and resources for education professionals working with students and families who are filing the 2024-2025 FAFSA. FAME also provides numerous resources for students and families, including:

For the latest updates on the 2024-2025 FAFSA, we encourage parents, caregivers, and education professionals to join our Facebook group, Paying for College ME.

Tools

2024-2025 FAFSA Prototype

Federal Student Aid’s FAFSA prototype provides the opportunity to understand the user experience in advance of the release of the FAFSA.

Pell Grant Look-Up Tables

Eligibility for a maximum or minimum Pell Grant can now be determined before the FAFSA is filed. Use this document provided by Federal Student Aid to learn more.

Federal Student Aid Estimator

This new tool can help students estimate their Student Aid Index (SAI) and see what types of federal student aid they may be eligible to receive.

Recorded Presentations

Wednesday Webinars for
Education Professionals

Filing the 2024-2025 FAFSA

Wednesday Webinar | January 2024

The 2024-2025 FAFSA was released on December 30 as part of a “soft launch.” In this expanded 90-minute session, we focus on a section-by-section walkthrough of the new Better FAFSA. We also discuss FSA IDs and processes related to the new roles-based form, and we share tips about what we’ve learned so far.

Get the slide deck (.pdf format)

Help Your Students Get Ready to File the 2024-2025 FAFSA

Wednesday Webinar | September 2023

The 2024-2025 FAFSA is being overhauled and is delayed until December. The new Better FAFSA, as it’s being referred to by Federal Student Aid (FSA), will result in a revised process that requires everyone accessing the FAFSA to have a verified FSA ID (username and password) prior to filing the FAFSA. During this webinar, we discuss the new process, share steps students and families need to take to be ready to file, and explain some new terminology and concepts. Join us to learn more about the new Better FAFSA!

Get the slide deck (.pdf format)

Financial Check-in
with FAME

Better FAFSA: What You Need to Know

Financial Check-in with FAME | January 2024

This month’s Financial Check-in with FAME focuses on the revamped 2024-2025 “Better FAFSA” that was released on December 30th. Before filing the 2024-2025 FAFSA, check out this session to learn about the many changes, how to get prepared, and tips to make filing easier than ever.

Get the slide deck (.pdf format)

FAFSA Fridays: A FAFSA Simplification Training Series for Education Professionals

Recap, Formula Changes, and FAQ

FAFSA Fridays | December 2023

Fourth in our series of monthly FAFSA Simplification trainings, December’s session covers the latest updates on the 2024-2025 FAFSA, what students and families can do now to prepare (including identifying all contributors and creating FSA IDs), and FAFSA formula changes. The session concludes with FAQs on the new FAFSA.

Get the slide deck (.pdf format)

FSA ID, Process, and Process Changes

FAFSA Fridays | November 2023

November’s session is the third in a series of monthly FAFSA Simplification trainings. This session begins with an overview of what students and families need to do now to get ready to file in December. We then discuss the new process for parents without a Social Security number to create a Federal Student Aid account (FSA ID). The session concludes with a discussion of the change to a roles-based form and the resulting process changes.

Get the slide deck (.pdf format)

Pell and Pathways

FAFSA Fridays | October 2023

October’s session is the second in a series of monthly FAFSA Simplification trainings. This session begins with an overview of what we need students and families to do now to get ready to file in December. We then discuss the welcome changes related to Pell Grant eligibility and transparency and the expanded pathways for students with challenging circumstances.

Get the slide deck (.pdf format)

FAFSA Simplification Training for Education Professionals

FAFSA Fridays | September 2023

September’s training is the first in a series of monthly FAFSA Simplification trainings. This session provides an overview of the changes that are coming as a result of the new Better FAFSA. We focus on what students and families need to do now to get prepared to file the FAFSA once it’s released in December. Future monthly trainings will include a deeper dive into the FAFSA process, including formula changes and their impacts.

Get the slide deck (.pdf format)

Summer Financial Aid Training for
Education Professionals

FAFSA Simplification: What, Why, and When

Summer Training 2023

What is FAFSA simplification, why is it happening, and when will the changes take place? This presentation answers these questions and provides a brief overview of the changes coming with the 2024-2025 “Better FAFSA,” particularly those that students, families, and those who work with them need to know about now.

Get the slide deck (.pdf format)

FAFSA Simplification: Out with the Old, In with the New

Summer Training 2023

In this presentation, you’ll learn about the new terminology introduced with the 2024-25 “Better FAFSA” and take a deeper dive into the impact of new processes, including the steps that students and parents need to take before the FAFSA can be filed.

Get the slide deck (.pdf format)

FAFSA Simplification: Pell, Parents, and Pathways

Summer Training 2023

In this presentation, we discuss three important changes coming with the 2024-2025 “Better FAFSA” — the expansion and increased transparency of Pell Grant eligibility, changes to the definition of parents and family size, and the easier-to-navigate pathways for students with challenging circumstances.

Get the slide deck (.pdf format)

Resources

Ten Important Changes Coming with the 2024-2025 FAFSA

Wondering what some of the most significant changes will be related to the 2024-2025 FAFSA? We’ve put together an information sheet detailing ten of the many important changes coming with the new “Better FAFSA.”

FAFSA Simplification: Glossary

Learn the lingo of Better FAFSA! Check out our FAFSA Simplification glossary to find the new names for old, familiar terms as well as definitions for new terms being introduced with the 2024-2025 FAFSA.

FAFSA Simplification: Case Studies

Get a sense of the new process coming with the “Better FAFSA” through these nine sample scenarios.