What students need to know about the new FAFSA 2024-2025 application for federal aid
The long-awaited simplified and redesigned Free Application for Federal Student Aid was finally unveiled just before the new year — kind of. As Education Week put it, it's "a little like attempting to purchase tickets online for one of Taylor Swift's Era Tour concerts." The form has only been available for short periods of time while "potential issues affecting user performance" are monitored, according to the U.S. Department of Education.
Also in this week's education news roundup: If you're considering new educational goals and resolutions for 2024, institutions like Coachella Valley Adult School offer opportunities for adult learners to finish their education and achieve their career aspirations.
Did we miss a noteworthy education story? Raise your hand and send it my way: jennifer.cortez@desertsun.com.
What California students need to know about the new FAFSA 2024-2025
The U.S. Department of Education "soft-launched" the new, simplified FAFSA on Saturday, Dec. 30, but it is not yet fully available as the department works out potential kinks. On Monday, Jan. 8, the application will be accessible to applicants starting at 5 a.m. PST. (Federal Student Aid frequently shares updates about FAFSA's availability on X, formerly known as Twitter.)
The re-launch of the federal aid application, including the California Dream Act Application, or CADAA, allows students to make informed decisions on how to finance post secondary education or training. In completing the application, students gain access to grants, scholarships, work-study opportunities, student loans and other forms of federal and state aid. While undocumented students cannot apply for federal aid through the FAFSA, they can receive state aid through the CADAA, a state-based application.
Due to the adoption of the "All-In for FAFSA and California Dream Act," this is also the first school year that high schools will need to ensure that all 12th grade students in the state of California complete a FAFSA or CADAA application. The goal of the state's universal financial aid participation law is to expand access to thousands of students who may not have otherwise been aware of these opportunities.
Previously, the FAFSA had 108 questions, most of which asked families to parse through their federal tax returns. Now, parts of the application will be pre-populated with data directly imported from the IRS. At most, applicants will see just 36 questions, which could take less than 10 minutes to complete.
Even if students manage to submit a completed financial aid application during the limited periods, that information won't be sent to schools until late January, the Department of Education said, "so you will have ample time to fill out the form and do not need to rush the form during the soft launch."
To be considered for state financial aid programs and the Cal Grant, it is recommended that students in California submit their applications no later than the priority deadline of Tuesday, April 2. Students attending community college next school year should apply no later than Tuesday, Sept. 3. OneFuture CV encourages 12th grade students in the Coachella Valley to complete the application by Saturday, March 2, to help their graduating class win $3,000 in the annual Battle of the High Schools competition.
The earlier, the better: filing the FAFSA sooner can mean more money for college, including access to state grant programs awarded on a first come, first served basis.
For more information: Visit studentaid.gov/h/apply-for-aid/fafsa or dream.csac.ca.gov/landing
Learning at any age: Coachella Valley Adult School offers GED and ESL classes for adult learners
Established in 1952, Coachella Valley Adult School — established by Coachella Valley Unified School District — is the largest adult school in the Coachella Valley. They offer adult education programs including computer classes, job preparation classes, high school diploma and GED/HiSET programs, English as a Second Language (ESL) classes, citizenship classes and much more.
On a visit to the adult school on a sunny morning in December, prospective students arriving to inquire about its services were met with friendly greetings from office staff. The individual attention and small classroom sizes are a key component for increased learning.
Located in downtown Coachella on Orchard Street, it's clear that the staff makes every effort to meet students' needs by reducing barriers: there's childcare on campus, both morning and evening class sessions to accommodate work schedules, as well as in-person, remote and hybrid class offerings.
"Most of our students come from the community," said Principal Jereme Weischedel. "It's a public service."
For more information: Visit cvadultschool.com or call 760-398-6302
K-12 students return to school from winter break
Students and teachers from all three public K-12 school districts — Coachella Valley Unified, Desert Sands Unified and Palm Springs Unified — will return to school on Monday, Jan. 8 from their winter recesses.
Other non-school days to add to the calendar this month: CVUSD, DSUSD and PSUSD will close their campuses on Monday, Jan. 15 in observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day. At DSUSD, as part of a districtwide professional development day for staff, schools will be closed to students on Friday, Jan. 19.
The spring semester at College of the Desert starts on Monday, Jan. 29. In the meantime, the winter intersession for enrolled students began Wednesday, Jan. 3 and will end on Wednesday, Jan. 24. A few classes are scheduled to start on Monday, Jan. 8 and some seats may still be up for grabs.
Jennifer Cortez covers education in the Coachella Valley. Reach her at jennifer.cortez@desertsun.com.
This article originally appeared on Palm Springs Desert Sun: FAFSA application will be available for a brief window
