2024-2025 FAFSA Application Changes
What is Changing
- The FAFSA has been streamlined to reduce the number of questions students must answer.
- The result of the FAFSA is now called the Student Aid Index (SAI). This replaces the former terminology called the Effective Family Contribution (EFC). The SAI, like the EFC, is used to calculate need-based financial aid.
- FAFSA simplification aims to make the application easier for more students and their parents by making the new form available in at least 11 languages.
What You Need to Know
- The redesigned FAFSA is expected to launch in December 2023 for the 2024-25 academic year.
- Student and parents will need an FSA ID to complete the FAFSA. Get one now if you don’t already have one.
- New Jersey State’s priority FAFSA filing date is April 15, 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Contributor is a new term used as part of the FAFSA process for 2024-25.
- A contributor is anyone who is required to provide information as part of a student’s FAFSA submission.
- A contributor can be a student’s biological parents(s), step-parent, adopted parent(s) or student’s spouse.
- The term “contributor” means the individual contributes information to the student’s FAFSA.
- It does NOT mean the individual will contribute to the student’s educational expenses.
The answers provided in the FAFSA will determine if contributors are required to provide information in the FAFSA.
- For students who are dependents of parents, a contributor can be biological parent(s) or adopted parent(s).
- If parent(s) are divorced, the contributor is the parent and step-parent if applicable who provides the majority of the student’s financial support.
- If the student is married, the spouse is a contributor if the 2022 federal income taxes were not filed jointly.
If your FAFSA requires information from contributors and they will not provide information in the FAFSA, the result is an incomplete FAFSA and the student is not eligible for federal student aid.
Students and contributors who are reporting tax information as part of their FAFSA submission must provide consent for Federal Student Aid Programs to retrieve their federal tax information from the Internal Revenue Service.
Failure to provide consent will result in the student being ineligible for federal student aid.
Resources
Below you'll find resources about the FAFSA changes.
- FAFSA® Changes Overview fact sheet:* Highlights key information you need to know to help prepare students and parents for the changes to the FAFSA form and process.
- 2024–25 FAFSA® Form Preview Presentation:* Provides screenshots of the online FAFSA form, which you can use as you create your own presentations for students and families.
- Students With Unusual Circumstances fact sheet: Explains what unusual circumstances are, what changed on the FAFSA form, and what happens after the student applies for aid.
- Better FAFSA® Better Future infographic:* Includes information about the FAFSA changes and impacts in a graphic format that can be shared with additional audiences.
- Better FAFSA® Better Future Overview video: Highlights how the FAFSA changes will benefit applicants.
- 2024–25 FAFSA® Changes sample email: Offers updates about the upcoming FAFSA changes and ways students and families can stay informed.
- 2024–25 FAFSA® Prototype: Helps counselors and mentors gain a deeper understanding of the 2024–25 FAFSA user experience ahead of the form's release.
Contact Information
Financial Aid Office
Phone: (201) 360-4200 / (201) 360-4214
Text: (201) 744-2767
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