Streamlining FAFSA: A Guide to Simplified Student Aid

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) will be simplified for the 2024-25 school year, reducing the number of questions from 108 to 36 and making it easier to import income data from tax records. However, the changes also come with complications, such as a later start date in December and new formulas that may result in less financial aid for families with multiple children in college or who own farms or small businesses. Despite these challenges, the streamlined FAFSA is expected to increase completion rates and improve college access and affordability. Lower-income families may be eligible for more aid under the new formulas, including larger income protection allowances and automatic Pell Grants based on income and household size.