Financial Aid

Drop-in Online

Student ambassadors are available to answer general financial aid questions 

• When: Tuesdays
• Time: 10:00 am – 2:00 pm 
• Where: Zoom 

Appointment - Online

Financial Aid staff is available to provide answers to complicated financial aid questions 

• When: By appointment 
• Where: Online 
•  
• Schedule an appointment 

Advisors

Advisors are available via email and are assigned to students based on the student's last name or program affiliation.

• Last Name
• Program

FAFSA simplification changes include the first major redesign of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) process in over 40 years, along with updates to the backend systems that process and store federal student aid application data.  The goal is to make applying for federal student aid easier for students.  FAFSA simplification implements provisions of the amended Fostering Undergraduate Talent by Unlocking Resources for Education (FUTURE) Act and the FAFSA Simplification Act.

The Better FAFSA Better Future campaign will communicate FAFSA simplification changes and provide information and resources to aid in the adaptation of these changes.

The benefits of FAFSA simplification include:

1. Streamlined application process
   
   
2. Expanded eligibility for federal student aid
   
   
3. Reduced barriers for certain student populations (e.g. homeless and unaccompanied youth, incarcerated students, English language learners, and students from low-income backgrounds
   
   
4. A better user experience for the FAFSA form
   
   

Significant changes to the application process include changes to the FAFSA form, how students and families complete the application, and the eligibility calculation.

1. The FAFSA form will be updated and streamlined to improve access.
   
   
   1. The FAFSA form will be expanded to the 11 most common languages spoken by English learner students and their parents.  Language-specific resources and support will also be available from FSA Information Center.
      
      
   2. The form will be consumer-tested with prospective first-generation students and families, as well as students and families from low -income backgrounds.
      
      
   3. The form will include new demographic questions about an applicant's gender & race/ethnicity
      
      
   4. Foster, homeless, and unaccompanied youth--as well as applicants who cannot provide parental information--will be able to complete the form with a provisional independent student determination and receive a calculated Student Aid Index (SAI).  Students who have their independent student status approved by a financial aid administrator will also be eligible for a renewal of their dependency status in subsequent years if their circumstances remain unchanged.
      
      
2. Rather than importing their tax information using the IRS Data Retrieval Tool, applicants will consent to providing their Federal Tax Information (FTI) via a direct data share with the IRS.  This enhanced data sharing simplifies the applicant's experience.
   
   
3. Eligibility for federal student aid will be expanded in the following ways:
   
   1. Selective Service and drug conviction questions will be eliminated to reduce applicant barriers.
      
      
   2. New methodology will be introduced to calculate and determine applicant eligibility.  The Expected Family Contribution (EFC) will be replaced with the Student Aid Index (SAI).
      
      
   3. The new need-analysis formula allows for a negative SAI calculation and implements separate eligibility criteria for Federal Pell Grants.
      
      
   4. Federal Pell Grant access will be expanded and linked to family size and federal poverty levels, which will allow more students and families from low-income backgrounds to qualify.
      
      
   5. Federal Pell Grant access will be restored to incarcerated students under specific rules and programs.

New requirements and calculations will modify the roles and responsibilities for schools.  Notable changes include:

1. Calculation of the Student Aid Index (SAI)
   
   
2. New cost of attendance (COA) definitions
   
   
3. Updates to consumer information that must be publicly available to applicants and families
   
   
4. Simplified verification selection criteria
   
   
5. Provisions for Financial Aid Administrators to exercise professional judgment in addressing an applicant's special circumstances that may impact their eligibility for federal student aid.  

FAFSA simplification will be implemented in phases.  Certain changes began in the 2021-2022 Award Year and full implementation of major provisions will occur during the 2024-2025 Award Year.