FAFSA Simplification
The FAFSA Simplification Act, passed by Congress in 2020, aims to reduce the number of questions on the application and make federal aid more readily available, particularly Pell Grants.
These changes have been implemented for the 2024-2025 FAFSA and will continue to be in effect for future FAFSA cycles.
The 2025–2026 FAFSA application is available now at studentaid.gov.
The 2024–2025 FAFSA form is still available.
What’s Changed?
(Check back often for additional updates.)
“EFC” (expected family contribution) to “SAI” (student aid index)
Effective with the 2024–2025 FAFSA, the FAFSA will use the Student Aid Index (SAI)—a new need analysis formula used when awarding need-based grants and scholarships.
Introduction of new terminology
- Contributor (anyone who is required to provide information on the FAFSA, such as a biological or adoptive parent; stepparent; or student’s spouse).
- Consent (each contributor will need to consent to their information being included on the FAFSA).
- If a contributor does not provide consent, submission of the FAFSA will still be allowed, however, a Student Aid Index (SAI) will not be calculated.
- Please note: Contributors without a Social Security Number must also provide consent.
Multiple children enrolled in college
Effective with the 2024–2025 FAFSA, families should be aware that their financial aid calculations will no longer be impacted by having multiple children in college at the same time.
“Enrollment Entitlement” is now “Enrollment Intensity”
Up until the 2023–2024 award year, students received a prorated amount of their Pell award based on their enrollment status (full-time, three-quarter-time, half-time, or less-than-half-time). However, starting in the 2024–2025 award year, Pell Grant awards will be prorated based on a concept called Enrollment Intensity. Refer to the chart below for visual representation.
| Registered Credits | Enrollment Entitlement (Old) | Enrollment Intensity (New) |
|---|---|---|
| 12 (or more) | Full-Time | 100% |
| 11 | Three-Quarter-Time | 92% |
| 10 | Three-Quarter-Time | 83% |
| 9 | Three-Quarter-Time | 75% |
| 8 | Half-Time | 67% |
| 7 | Half-Time | 58% |
| 6 | Half-Time | 50% |
| 5 | Less-than-Half-Time | 42% |
| 4 | Less-than-Half-Time | 33% |
| 3 | Less-than-Half-Time | 25% |
| 2 | Less-than-Half-Time | 17% |
| 1 | Less-than-Half-Time | 8% |
Changes in parental responsibility
For divorced or separated parents, the parent who provided the most financial support will be required to complete the FAFSA.
How to Apply
Visit studentaid.gov to start your application now.
Additional Resources
- FAFSA Simplification Q&A
- FAFSA Simplification Key Terms
- What is the FAFSA Simplification Act?
- Federal Student Aid Estimator
- The Federal Student Aid Estimator provides an estimate of how much federal student aid the student may be eligible to receive. These estimates are based on the Student Aid Index (SAI), an index number used to determine federal student aid eligibility.
- 2024–25 FAFSA Issue Alerts