FAFSA Simplification FAQ

What is FAFSA Simplification?

The FAFSA Simplification Act represents a significant overhaul of the processes and systems used to award federal student aid, most of it starting with the 2024–25 award year. This includes the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®) form, need analysis, and many policies and procedures for schools that participate in federal student aid programs.

The Department of Education has ramped up their communications and here are some important take-aways:

• The student experience with the actual FAFSA application should be easier. There will be fewer questions and almost all the income questions will be answered by a direct link of the FAFSA to IRS income tax data.
• “Expected Family Contribution” (or EFC) on the FAFSA is being replaced by “Student Aid Index” (or SAI). There are some subtle differences between the two, but they are basically interchangeable.

When will FAFSA Simplification happen?

The Department of Education’s timing of this FAFSA overhaul is still a bit fluid. As of now, the FAFSA for 2024-25 will be available on December 31, 2023. 

Emory student financial aid packages will be released beginning in December for incoming, first-year undergraduate students - including Early Decision – for students admitted to Emory College or Oxford College. Financial aid packages for Early Action student admitted to the Neil Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing Distance Accelerated BSN and Graduate Nursing will be released in late January. All others will be released according to the published release dates.