New FAFSA Form Opens Dec. 31; AISD to Host Districtwide Financial Aid Application Blitz in January 2024

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High school seniors can seize the opportunity to kickstart their college journey.

For many families, financial aid is critical to paying for college. However, students must first complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid to access assistance. And this year, the FAFSA has been significantly delayed.

For the 2024-2025 school year, a new, streamlined FAFSA form will be available on Dec. 31, 2023, up to nearly three months later than in previous years. The Education Department will return to an Oct. 1 start date next year.

In ordinary years, high school graduates miss out on billions in federal grants because they don’t fill out the FAFSA. Many families mistakenly assume they won’t qualify for financial aid and don’t even bother to apply.

Michael N. Minter, AISD director of college readiness, is aware students and families might be stressed by the later start date to apply.

“Trying to navigate the process, a new formula, and the delay are intimidating and frustrating to some students and their families,” said Minter.

What’s Changed With the New FAFSA

• It also uses the Student Aid Index calculation to estimate family income.
• The number of questions has been reduced from 108 to less than 50.
• The Department of Education will no longer use the “sibling discount” for multiple children in college — it will take full effect beginning with the 2024-2025 academic year.
• The new FAFSA will raise the family income threshold, making more students eligible for federal need-based aid and increasing Pell Grant eligibility to over 1.5 million. Currently, the maximum Pell Grant award is $7,395.

What Can Students Do Now to Get Ready?

• Students should prepare for college applications by having their tax forms ready.
• Create a StudentAid.gov account and obtain a Federal Student Aid ID.
• Follow Federal Student Aid on social media for announcements and complete the new FAFSA form.
• Consider other sources for merit-based aid, such as Scholarships.com and the College Board, which offer over 1.7 million private scholarships and fellowships often funded by foundations, corporations, and other independent organizations, with a total value in the billions.

Resources and Our Districtwide Financial Aid Application Blitz in January

Additionally, plenty of free resources help guide families through the updated FAFSA process. One of those resources is the upcoming Districtwide Financial Aid Application Blitz in January.

“We want students to seize the opportunity to kickstart their college journey with our Aldine ISD Senior Financial Aid Blitz,” said Minter. “We don’t want any student to let financial barriers stand in the way of their dreams. The goal of the blitz is to ensure our students’ FAFSA/TASFA forms are submitted so they can focus on what matters most — their education.”

Districtwide Financial Aid Application Blitz Details

• • Campus Programming Day: Each high school in our district will host personalized FAFSA assistance sessions on select days and times between January 8 and 19, 2024.
  • Unlock Financial Aid Secrets: Students will discover the ins and outs of FAFSA/TASFA with expert guidance. A dedicated team will help them navigate the application process.
  • Virtual Support Available: Virtual assistance will be available on select dates for those who prefer virtual support.
  • Flyer: The flyer has a QR code letting students and their families know what they need to bring and another QR code to look at campus dates and times*. Click here to download the PDF of the flyer available in English and Spanish.

* Check regularly for updates to the school dates and times, especially as the blitz period in January approaches.