Making Sense of Changes to the FAFSA

Matt Crow/Undergraduate Admissions

Editor's Note: Previously, A Blog For Future Shockers featured Best Tips for Completing the FAFSA. Wichita State University's Office of Financial Aid updated key points students and parents/guardians should know as the landscape of Federal Aid changes. The following is a Q&A with Wichita State's Amanda Duffy, Financial Aid Advisor.

Does the FAFSA opening up in December affect deadlines for students compared to previous years?

In previous years, Wichita State University’s priority date for the FAFSA was Dec.1; however, the Department of Education is releasing the new and improved 2024-2025 FAFSA by Dec. 31, 2023. With this change, we are adapting to it and extending the deadline for only this year. Incoming and current students should plan to file their 2024-2025 FAFSA by Wichita State’s priority date of March 1, 2024. This allows Wichita State University to review and award federal, state & institutional grant aid to eligible, need-based students.

Does this affect other financial aid opportunities such as Shocker Promise?

Students will automatically be considered for Shocker Promise as long as they meet all of the applicable requirements including completing the 2024-2025 FAFSA by April 1, 2024, submitting any missing or remaining financial aid materials by April 1, 2024 and being Pell Grant eligible for priority consideration.

Students who want to be considered for Wichita State University scholarships can apply through ScholarshipUniverse. The New/Continuing Student Application allows you to apply for most college and general scholarships. Log into ScholarshipUniverse to complete your annual scholarship application for 2024-2025 by March 1, 2024.

Are there any changes to what information students/parents need in order to complete the FAFSA form?

Some fundamental changes include, but are not limited to:

1. The FAFSA will be shorter and more user-friendly.
2. Students may list up to 20 colleges.
3. The FAFSA will be available in more languages.
4. Applicants will be required to use the IRS Direct Data Exchange.
5. Anyone who is required to provide info on a student’s form is now called a “contributor.”
6. The Student Aid Index (SAI) is replacing Expected Family Contribution (EFC).
7. The number in college will not be used to calculate SAI.
8. Some students will automatically be awarded a Pell Grant.
9. The parent responsible for submitting the FAFSA in cases of divorce or separation has changed.
10. Family farms and small businesses must be reported as assets.

Are there any changes to eligibility? What is the best way for students to estimate whether they are eligible?

Starting with the 2024–25 award year, students and families will see a different measure of their ability to pay for college, and they’ll experience a change in the methodology used to determine financial aid. The new need analysis formula removes the number of family members in college from the calculation, allows a minimum SAI of -1500, and implements separate eligibility determination criteria for Federal Pell Grants.

Federal Student Aid has an Estimator Tool you can find out how much federal student aid you may be eligible for starting with the 2024-2025 academic year. Note that this tool estimates the Student Aid Index (SAI) for the 2024-2025 award year, NOT Expected Family Contribution (EFC) for the 2023-2024 award year.

What is the best way for students to reach out to the Office of Financial Aid if they need assistance?

We are committed to helping you in any way we can with your 2024-2025 application or any other financial aid concern you may have. You can call, chat, or schedule a financial aid appointment with one of our amazing advisors! 

1. Want to talk? Our phone number is (316) 978-3430 or (855) 978-1787. 
2. Want to type? Here is our chat link: https://wichita.edusupportcenter.com/shp/wichita/home. 
3. Want to schedule an appointment? You can select the appropriate advisor through WSU’s Navigate system – just use your myWSU ID and password to log in to Navigate. We can meet in person, over the phone or even virtual!

Any other additional information helpful for students?

Please complete your 2024-2025 FAFSA even if you don’t believe you are eligible for need-based aid. With the formula changing from previous years, you might be surprised at what you are offered! Filing the FAFSA is your key to unlocking all kinds of financial aid for school. If you want to qualify for the most money you can and pay less out of your pocket for school, you need to file the FAFSA – it’s important! 

Stay up to date with our events and on social media. Outside of visiting us with questions 1:1, we offer workshops to help with FAFSA completion. We are here to invest in you!