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2021 Changes to the FAFSA


On January 3rd, Congress announced bi-partisan support to simplify the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA.) The FAFSA is the form required to receive Federal Aid for college.

What Class of 2023 families should know:

  • Changes will take effect for students in the Class of 2023, who will complete the FAFSA in October 2022

  • This year's (2021) reported income would determine your student's financial need

  • The FAFSA will be shorter, decreasing the number of questions by more than 50%.

  • Taxed and untaxed income will automatically transfer from the applicant's tax return, making completion easier

  • Families with lower incomes will have fewer questions to answer than families with higher incomes

  • A published "lookup" table will give families an indication of need grant eligibility before completing the FAFSA

  • Expected Family Contribution (EFC) will be re-worded to Student Aid Index (SAI)

One of our first curriculum units helps families map their budget to a probable net cost of attendance based on eligibility for Federal or Institutional need grants and merit scholarship probability.