The 2024-25 Free Application for Federal Student Aid is now officially open and accessible.
Over 1 million students and their families managed to submit applications during the rocky soft launch period. The updated version of the application officially launched at the end of December, but had technical difficulties. Students can fill out the online FAFSA application using a computer, mobile phone or tablet. To complete the FAFSA, there are paperwork requirements that families need such as a Social Security number (if they have one), a 2022 tax return, tax information.
Arroyo High School’s Career Guidance Coordinator, Mr. George Reyes, helps students with college applications, financial aid information, etc.
“FAFSA is for any student that is looking to get support, for the financial part of paying for their education after high school, and it’s focus on students who have legal status, U.S. citizen, or somebody that has residence status, a green card, or who has gone through the nationalization progress, born in another country but now is U.S. citizens,” stated Mr. Reyes.
The FAFSA application helps many students with their financial segment after high school and is given to a student with legal status in America.
“This year, the FAFSA is going through a major overhaul and redesign. But typically the application opens up in October and the priority filing period deadline is usually March 2nd. This year with the overhaul of the application, new interface completely, new terminology, a new algorithm to determine a new eligibility. It was delayed three months, so it just opened up in January, and there had been so many glitches for students trying to complete it. We have more students stuck somewhere in the process, waiting to have FAFSA correct current technical issues so they can proceed. We actually have students that have been able to get through the whole process,” stated Mr. Reyes
The new update of the FAFSA has led to some trouble for many students to complete the form. Some students have finished the process without any difficulties or issues.
Emma Olivas, a senior, has finished her application for the FAFSA.
“I am applying for FAFSA because I am applying for college and I will need as much financial help as possible,” stated Olivas.
Many students are applying for FAFSA because they need as much help to cover their financial proportion.
“The application was pretty easy and quick, however, the parent portal part gave me a little bit of trouble, but overall it was a quick process,” stated Olivas
