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2024-2025 FAFSA Changes

How the FAFSA Simplification Act Affects You

There are some big changes to the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) application for the 2024-2025 aid year! 

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.

2024-2025 FAFSA Available now!

 

UCM and FAFSA Updates

Below is a running list of updates from UCM and the Department of Education over FAFSA changes and timelines for when students can expect to hear more information about their award offers. Bookmark this page for updates, and continuously check the Department of Education's website for updated information on the FAFSA.

Estimated Date for UCM to package Financial Aid Awards: April 17, 2024

Date this page last edited: 4/15/2024

 

4/15/2024

Previous Updates

3/21/2024

  • The State of Missouri has pushed back the Access Missouri Grant FAFSA application deadline to April 1, 2024 (it was originally set for February 1, 2024).
  • The State of Missouri has pushed back the final deadline for the Access Missouri Grant to June 1, 2024. Students who apply after the April 1 priority deadline will be eligible for the grant as funding is available at the state of Missouri.
  • UCM is scheduled to get the final update for internal systems on in late-March in preparation for distributing awards on April 17, 2024.
  • UCM tentatively planning to send out full award information to students and families on April 17, 2024.
  • The Department of Education has announced that they have a solution for FAFSA filers who are unable to file because they do not have a Social Security Number.

 

 

3/19/2024

  • The State of Missouri has pushed back the Access Missouri Grant FAFSA application priority deadline to April 1, 2024 (it was originally set for February 1, 2024).
  • UCM is scheduled to get the final update for internal systems on in late-March in preparation for distributing awards on April 17, 2024.
  • UCM tentatively planning to send out full award information to students and families on April 17, 2024.
  • The Department of Education has announced that they have a solution for FAFSA filers who are unable to file because they do not have a Social Security Number. This will be available the first half of March.

 

2/21/2024

  • The Department of Education updated their timeline in getting FAFSA information to universities. They now estimate that schools will get students FAFSA data in mid-March.
  • The State of Missouri has pushed back the Access Missouri Grant FAFSA application deadline to April 1, 2024 (it was originally set for February 1, 2024)
  • UCM tentatively planning to send out full award information to students and families in April 2024 (tentative and will be updated with any delays)
  • The Department of Education has announced that they have a solution for FAFSA filers who are unable to file because they do not have a Social Security Number. This will be available the first half of March.

 

1/30/2024

  • The Department of Education updated their timeline in getting FAFSA information to universities. They now estimate that schools will get students FAFSA data in mid-March opposed to the original estimate of late-January.
  • The Department of Education provided information that 3.1 million students have successfully filed the FAFSA
  • The Department of Education has discovered an oversight in calculation of certain income protections for families on the FAFSA. This will require additional changes to the FAFSA that could further delay FAFSA processing times. However this change could provide an additional $1.8 Billion in aid to students.
  • The State of Missouri has pushed back the Access Missouri Grant FAFSA application deadline to April 1, 2024 (it was originally set for February 1, 2024)
  • UCM tentatively planning to send out full award information to students and families in April 2024 (tentative and will be updated with any delays)

 

1/24/2024

  • The Department of Education has discovered an oversight in calculation of certain income protections for families on the FAFSA. This will require additional changes to the FAFSA that could further delay FAFSA processing times. However this change could provide an additional $1.8 Billion in aid to students.
  • The State of Missouri has pushed back the Access Missouri Grant FAFSA application deadline to April 1, 2024 (it was originally set for February 1, 2024)
  • UCM tentatively planning to send out full award information to students and families in April 2024 (tentative and will be updated with any delays)

 

 

1/12/2024

  • The Department of Education has announced two additional issues during the FAFSA launch found on the FSA issue alerts webpage.
  • The State of Missouri has pushed back the Access Missouri Grant FAFSA application deadline to April 1, 2024 (it was originally set for February 1, 2024)
  • The FAFSA form should now be available for students and families 24/7 without windows of availability
  • The Department of Education will not share any FAFSA information with UCM (or other universities) until the end of January at the earliest.
  • UCM tentatively planning to send out full award information to students and families in March 2024 (tentative and will be updated with any delays)

1/11/2024

  • The Department of Education has announced some issues they uncovered during the FAFSA launch and are tracking them on their FSA issue alerts webpage.
  • The State of Missouri has pushed back the Access Missouri Grant FAFSA application deadline to April 1, 2024 (it was originally set for February 1, 2024)
  • The FAFSA form should now be available for students and families 24/7 without windows of availability
  • The Department of Education will not share any FAFSA information with UCM (or other universities) until the end of January at the earliest.
  • UCM tentatively planning to send out full award information to students and families in March 2024 (tentative and will be updated with any delays)

1/9/2024

  • The FAFSA form is available for students 24/7 now, removing previously set "windows" of availability previously set with the FAFSA form.
  • There is still currently no provided date for when the Department of Education plans to send FAFSA information to UCM and other universities later this month.
  • Currently the estimated timeline for UCM to deliever full award offers to current and prospective students is March 2024

1/6/2024

  • The Department of Education briefly closed the FAFSA form due to necessary maintenance to IRS systems for the upcoming tax season. The form will remain open for longer than planned to adjust for this outage.

1/5/2024

  • UCM received the first update for their systems to begin prepping internal systems to receive FAFSA data from the Department of Education. This information is still scheduled to be sent to UCM around the end of January without a specific date set.
  • The State of Missouri has pushed back the Access Missouri Grant FAFSA application deadline to April 1, 2024 (it was originally set for February 1, 2024)
  • Federal Student Aid has announced that the FAFSA will be opened from 10:30 - 5:00 pm central time on 1/7/2024 and starting at 7:00 am central on 1/8/2024

1/4/2024

  • FAFSA is opened up for student in block hours of around 12 hours at a time.
  • FAFSA form will occasionally be down for maintenance outside of the window of time
  • FAFSA opened with a "soft-launch" the end of December
  • The Department of Education will not share any FAFSA information with UCM (or other universities) until the end of January at the earliest. Without this date, determining exactly when UCM will get final aid awards to students is difficult.

Important Resources for families filing the FAFSA and scholarships

FAFSA Frequently Asked Questions

What is a "soft-launch" of the FAFSA

The Department of Education launched the new FAFSA on 12/31/2023 as a "soft-launch" meaning the FAFSA is open, but for short periods of time with they monitor traffic and submissions to catch any bugs from the new process. As of 1/10/2024 the FAFSA is open 24/7 and no longer open for windows, unless unexpected maintenance is necessary.

What impact does this new FAFSA have on UCM?

Normally, the FAFSA opens for students on October 1 each year. With the FAFSA opening later, UCM (and other college/universities) will be delayed in getting full financial aid awards to students to later in the spring. Our estimated timeframe for getting awards to students is located at the top of this page, and is updated as more information is available.

When will I get my financial aid award for 2024-2025?

UCM is working quickly to be prepared to send students their finanacial aid award letters starting April 17, 2024.

What does the delayed FAFSA mean for UCM deadlines and scholarships?

Most of UCM's scholarships don't have specific deadlines associated with them other than our UCM Scholarship Finder page. A FAFSA is not required to complete your scholarship finder application and it has a priority deadline of February 1, 2024. The Access Missouri Grant for Missouri residents has extended it's deadline to April 1, 2024. UCM continues to monitor FAFSA progress and will announce any deadline changes as necessary.

Is it okay for me to file my FAFSA now?

Yes, absolutely! The FAFSA is live for all students and students should plan to file the FAFSA as soon as possible to maximize aid opportunities for 2024-2025.

 

 

 

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