Dreaming of a brighter future? College empowers you to build a better life, but affordability is key. At Marshalltown Community College (MCC), we understand that, and we’re dedicated to helping you make your college dreams a reality. One crucial step towards achieving that goal is completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®). We’re here to guide you through the process and ensure you unlock the financial aid opportunities you deserve.

You may have heard that there have been changes to the financial aid process. The FAFSA® was simplified for the 2024-25 award year. These changes streamlined the application process and made it easier for students to access the financial aid they needed.

Here are seven key changes you need to know about:

1. Late Launch Date: The FAFSA® opened to students and contributors on December 31, 2023. Students have time to complete the application and gather the necessary documentation before they reach the deadline to submit.

2. Deadline to Submit: The priority deadline to submit the 2024-2025 FAFSA® at MCC will be July 1, 2024. Check with the financial aid office at the college you plan to attend for more information.

3. Changes to Who is Considered a Contributor: “Contributor” refers to anyone (you, your spouse, your biological or adoptive parent, or your parent’s spouse) who’s asked to provide their information, consent and approval to have their federal tax information transferred automatically from the IRS into the FAFSA form, and signature on the FAFSA form. Your grandparents, foster parents, legal guardians, siblings, and aunts and uncles are NOT considered contributors – even if they helped provide for or raise you.

4. Consent and Approval Requirement: Students will now be required to provide consent and approval for their parents or guardians to access their FAFSA® information. This helps to protect students’ privacy and ensure that they are aware of who is viewing their financial aid information.

5. StudentAid.gov Account Required: All students will now be required to create a StudentAid.gov account to submit the FAFSA®. This account will provide students with a secure and centralized location to manage their federal student aid.

6. New Student Aid Index (SAI): The Expected Family Contribution (EFC) is being replaced with a new metric called the Student Aid Index (SAI). The SAI is designed to be a more accurate measure of a student’s ability to pay for college.

7. FAFSA Submission Summary: Students will now receive a FAFSA Submission Summary after they submit their application. This summary will provide students with an estimation of the amount of federal student aid that you may be eligible for. Your FAFSA Submission Summary is not an aid offer. Aid offers will come directly for any schools you’ve listed on your FAFSA form.

These changes are significant, but they are designed to make the FAFSA® process easier and more efficient for students. By filing early and understanding the changes, students can ensure that they receive the financial aid they need to pursue their educational goals.

Financial aid can be intimidating, but we are here to help. Reach out to the Financial Aid team at MCC with any questions you have — we are here to help!

——

Rachael Koehler is the

associate director of financial aid at

Marshalltown Community College.