Changes to the 2024-2025 FAFSA: Here's what you can expect

Odessa American, Texas
·2 min read

Oct. 3—Changes are on the way this year for the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, more commonly known as FAFSA. The University of Texas Permian Basin is here to help explain the changes and what they mean for future and current students (no matter where you're studying).

What is the FAFSA and why should you complete it? By completing a FAFSA, colleges and universities can determine your eligibility for financial aid. Nearly all students who complete the FAFSA receive some type of financial assistance. High school seniors and college students are encouraged to fill out the FAFSA every year.

At UTPB, students must fill out the FAFSA in order to receive Falcon Free funding. Falcon Free covers tuition and mandatory fees for families who earn 100K or less a year. Nearly half of undergraduates at UTPB are Falcon Free. UTPB's FAFSA school code is 009930.

What changes can you expect?

— The 2024-2025 FAFSA will not be available until December 2023. The exact date has not yet been set.

— You're encouraged to fill out the FAFSA as soon as it becomes available — UTPB is ready to process the information when they receive it.

— New UTPB students should know how much funding they have been awarded in March 2024. Continuing students will still be awarded after grades post in May 2024.

— This is only temporary for this year. After the 2024-2025 aid year, the FAFSA will be available in October as usual.

— The 2024-2025 FAFSA determines your financial aid eligibility for the fall 2024, spring 2025, and summer 2025 terms.

— The FAFSA application process will be streamlined and easier for students to complete — fewer questions, fewer requirements, and will retrieve tax information using direct data exchange from the IRS.

— Eligibility for federal financial aid will be expanded.

Why are changes being made to the FAFSA? Due to the passing of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) Simplification Act, the FAFSA is changing for the 2024-2025 aid year. The Simplification Act is making it easier than ever for students and their families to complete the FAFSA. More time is needed to perfect the form, so that's why there is a delay this year.

If you have questions or need assistance completing the FAFSA, please contact the experts in the UTPB Financial Aid office:

— Email: [email protected]

— Phone: (432) 552- 2620

— Location: Mesa Building room 1225