2024-25 FAFSA Changes

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:

X
Instagram
Facebook
YouTube

Communications

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 trueSeveral 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 #2
Dear Seahawk,
 
We are keeping a close eye on FAFSA updates and will keep you informed about any changes. In the meantime, we encourage you to:
 
 
If you plan to enroll in Fall classes (starting August 16, 2024) and need financial aid, make sure to complete the 2024-25 FAFSA. Remember, the priority filing deadline for Broward College is July 1. If you need help completing your FAFSA, we’re here for you!  Visit www.broward.edu/fafsafever and choose the most convenient way for us to help you.
 
Enjoy your Summer!
 
Dr. Tara Jones, FAAC®
Associate Vice President, Financial Services
Broward College

FAFSA Update # 3
Dear Seahawk,
I hope this message finds you well. I am writing to inform you that processing of fall financial aid applications for the 24-25 award year will begin soon!
 
We know that financial aid plays a crucial role in supporting many of our student's academic goals. We understand the importance of timely processing to ensure that you have the necessary resources for your education.
 
Key Points:
  • Timeline: Financial aid processing for those who have completed the FAFSA will begin no later than July 22nd. 
  • Application Status: Please check your myBC to make sure all required documents are submitted 
  • Communication: Any updates or additional requirements will be communicated to you via your BC email.
  • What's Next:  Financial aid notifications will begin to go out around August 1. This notification will let you know how much money you have as a resource to use toward your tuition and fees.
 
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

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:

  • Timeline:Financial aid processing for those who have completed the FAFSA is active now. Check your myBC account today.
  • Application Status:Please check your myBC to see if you have outstanding required documents and if you still have any Red Flags, resolve them asap.
  • Communication: Any updates or additional requirements will be communicated to your BC emailor you can contact us for assistance.
  • What's Next:  Financial aid notifications will begin to go out this week! If your financial aid file is complete, with no Red Flags, you can expect an award notification by Friday this week. Check your myBC. This notification will let you know how much money you have as a resource to use toward your tuition and fees. If you have Red Flags, as soon as they are resolved, you will receive your aid award notification within days.

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:

  • Timeline: Financial aid disbursements will begin on Thursday 9/12.
  • Refunds: Ensure you have signed up with BankMobile to select your refund preference. Click the link to see the instructional video: HOW TO RECEIVE YOUR REFUND.
  • Check your refund balance on myBC:

·       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

  • Communication: Any updates or additional requirements will be communicated to your BC email or you can contact us for assistance.

 

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,
Dr. Tara Jones
AVP of Student Financial Services

 

Dear Seahawk,
 
We want your time at Broward College to be successful. Read the following tips below:
• Satisfactory academic progress is an important rule that impacts your access to financial aid. These are set by the federal Department of Education (DOE), and requires that Broward College monitor your progress toward degree completion. 
• You must maintain a 2.0 grade point average (GPA).
• You must complete 67% of classes with a passing grade (if you are enrolled in 9 compliant credits that apply toward your program of study, you must complete 6 – no withdrawals or F’s).
• Consider wisely before you withdraw from classes. If you withdraw from classes before completing 60% of the term (usually a day before the last day to withdraw), financial aid not earned will be returned to the DOE, and you will owe Broward College the remaining balance.
• Stay in class if possible. Withdrawing to avoid an F grade can have a negative financial impact. Always consult a financial aid advisor before withdrawing from class or before you quit going to class. When you receive all F grades, financial aid assumes you walked away from attending all classes, and that is considered an unofficial withdrawal and requires the return of your financial aid, leaving you owing Broward College that amount.
• Take advantage of academic resources early in the semester:
  • Tutoring in person
  • Virtual tutoring with Brainfuse can be accessed 24/7 through your myBC or D2L
  • Schedule a free tutoring appointment with an Academic Success Center:
     
  • Federal and State Benefit Screener – email sos@broward.edu or call 954-201-4767: 
  • Education
  • Healthcare
  • Financial
  • Housing
  • Food
  • Tax Prep
• Free Fitness Centers – Central Campus: Bldg. 11/Room 121; North Campus: Bldg. 60/Rooms 502-503; South Campus: Bldg. 65/Room 154.
• Lyft Program – a $100 Lyft credit may be available to help temporarily for students with transportation challenges who are currently enrolled. Visit website for eligibility details.
• And so many more resources are available to you – go here to see!
 
Wishing you success,
Tara Jones, Ed.D.  FAAC®
AVP of Student Financial Services

What's Changing with the FAFSA?

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.

What Isn't Changing?

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.

  • The general types of aid available to Broward College students and federal student loan limits will not change.
  • The FAFSA will still be required for consideration of federal and state financial aid every year.
  • Dependency status questions that determine if your parent(s) must complete the FAFSA will remain the same.
  • The FAFSA will still request tax information from the prior-prior year, which means you'll report 2022 income and assets on your 2024-25 application. Families with significant reductions in income can consider applying for a special circumstance appeal.