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The FAFSA Simplification Act was passed by Congress in 2020 and represents a significant overhaul of the processes and systems used to award federal student aid. This includes the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form, the need analysis that determines federal aid eligibility, changes in terminology, and many policies and procedures for schools that participate in federal student aid programs.
There are major changes and improvements coming to the 2024–25 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®) form. As a result, this year's FAFSA will be available in December 2023, not October 1, 2023.
The launch date will apply only to the 2024–25 FAFSA form.
Stay informed about the changes and receive up-to-date notifications and information:
• Prepare for the FAFSA rollout by using resources from the U.S. Department of Education.
• Sign up for SMS message alerts to stay up to date on notifications and to learn more about the changes coming to the 2024-25 FAFSA experience.
• Did you fill out a FAFSA form for 2023–24? Log in to your StudentAid.gov account and be sure we’ve got your current email address. Once the exact FAFSA launch date is announced, we expect to send out an email to students (and parents of dependent students) who applied on the 2023–24 form, reminding them to apply for 2024–25.
• Didn’t submit a 2023–24 FAFSA form? Make sure to create your StudentAid.gov account and remember your username and password so you can access and submit the 2024–25 FAFSA form when it is available.
• Follow Federal Student Aid on social media for announcements and resources:
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SUBMIT YOUR FAFSA NOW!
Dear Seahawk,
I’m sure you’ve heard the news regarding delays processing the 2024/2025 FAFSA. What you have heard is mainly true. Several major changes were made this year and these changes are causing delays in processing FAFSAs. We at Broward College know how important your financial aid is to you, and we are doing everything we can to make sure you have the money you need to achieve your goals. To keep you informed, I will send an update on the progress we have made in processing FAFSAs for Fall every 2 weeks until Fall Classes begin on August 16, 2024. For now, this is what you need to know:
If you need help completing your FAFSA, we’re here to help! Visit www.broward.edu/fafsafever and choose the most convenient way for us to help you.
Enjoy your Summer!
Dr. Tara Jones
AVP Financial Aid
FAFSA Update # 4
Dear Seahawk,
I have great news to share! Processing of fall financial aid applications for the 24-25 award year has started.🙂
We thank you for your patience and understand the importance of timely processing to ensure that you have the necessary resources for your education. Here is what you need to do now:
Key Points:
If you have any questions or concerns regarding your financial aid application, please reach out to the financial aid office at 954-201-7350. We look forward to assisting you in the financial aid process and supporting your academic journey.
Sincerely,
Dr. Tara Jones
AVP of Student Financial Services
Dear Seahawk, With the Fall semester well underway, I want to provide you with an update about your financial aid disbursement to your account and any refund due to you from those funds. We thank you for your patience and understand the importance of timely processing to ensure you have the necessary educational resources. Here is what you need to know now: Key Points:
· Log in to myBC through BC One Access · Enter BC email and password · Click the myBC tile · Click on My Financials · Click on Financial History · Click on Excess Student Funds
If you have any questions or concerns regarding your financial aid application, please contact the Financial Aid Office at 954-201-7350. We look forward to assisting you and supporting your academic journey. Sincerely,
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There are a number of benefits of the FAFSA simplification act, including a more streamlined application process and a better user experience for the FAFSA, expanded eligibility for federal student aid, and reduced barriers for certain student populations (e.g., homeless and unaccompanied youth, incarcerated students, English language learners, and students from low-income backgrounds).
The FAFSA will reduce the maximum number of questions from 108 to 46. And because the FAFSA on the Web is dynamic, some students won't even be presented with all 46 questions. This streamlined format will simplify the application process and make it less daunting for students and their families.
Previously, the FAFSA only allowed students to list up to 10 colleges and universities.
Currently, the FAFSA is only available in English and Spanish. The 2024-25 application will be expanded to include the 11 most common languages spoken by English learner students and their parents.
Previously, users had the option to enter their tax information manually or use the IRS Data Retrieval Tool. Beginning with 2024-25, all persons on the FAFSA must provide consent for the Department of Education to receive tax information or confirmation of non-filing status directly from the IRS. In a very small number of cases, students and families will have to enter their tax data manually, but for most, that data will be automatically transferred into the application. This change makes it easier to complete the FAFSA and reduces the number of questions to be answered.
A contributor—a new term being introduced on the 2024-25 FAFSA—refers to anyone who is required to provide information on a student's form (such as a parent/stepparent or spouse). A student's or parent's answers on the FAFSA will determine which contributors (if any) will be required to provide information.
Contributors will receive an email informing them that they've been identified as such, and will need to log in using their own FSA ID (if they don't already have one) to provide the required information on the student's FAFSA.
Being a contributor does not mean they are financially responsible for the student's education costs, but it does mean the contributor must provide information on the FAFSA or the application will be incomplete and the student will not be eligible for federal student aid.
A notable terminology update within the new FAFSA is the replacement of the term Expected Family Contribution (EFC) with the Student Aid Index (SAI). This name more accurately describes the number used to determine aid eligibility and, unlike the EFC, the SAI may be a negative number down to -1500.
Previously, the FAFSA calculated the number of household members attending college into the EFC, dividing it proportionately to determine federal aid eligibility. Beginning with the 2024-25 FAFSA, the application will still ask how many household members are in college, but your answer will not be calculated into the SAI. As such, undergraduate Broward College students with siblings in college may see a change in their federal aid eligibility.
Broward College will continue to use the number in college for undergraduate students when determining eligibility for need-based institutional financial aid.
For dependent students, financial information was previously needed from the parent(s) the student had lived with the most in the last 12 months. With the new FAFSA, financial information will be required from the parent(s) who provided the most financial support to the student.
When required, families must now report the value of their small business or family farm. If the family farm includes the principal place of residence, applicants should determine the total net value of all farm assets and subtract the net value of their principal residence to determine the final value of their farm assets.
While the FAFSA is receiving an update and the aid eligibility calculation has been revised, there are a number of aid-related matters that will not change.
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