The Free Application for Federal Student Aid, commonly known as FASFA, has been shortened for the 2024-25 school year.  

The FAFSA form is an application students complete to possibly receive aid such as federal grants, work-study funds and loans. Anyone can apply for FAFSA if there is justification that a student is in financial need, is enrolled in school and is a U.S. citizen.  

In December 2020, the FAFSA Simplification Act was passed as a part of the Consolidated Appropriations Act. This act shortened the application process from 108 questions to just 36 questions.  

Britney Hart, director of Financial Aid at Wayne State College, said she has a child who is a senior in high school and recently filled out a FAFSA form.  

“It is so much easier,” Hart said. “I went on and had to answer a few questions. I remember having to fill it out when I was going to school, and it was a long process.”  

It also expanded the Federal Pell Grant which will allow more students to receive it based on family size and the federal poverty level. There have been small changes over the last three years, but this expansion is the biggest. The act also allows students to transfer tax data directly from the IRS and has new formulas that should grant more aid to students.  

WSC student Haley Williamson said the FAFSA application has been very difficult in previous years with many bugs and confusing processes, but the new update made it easier than ever.  

“I am fortunate enough to have parents willing to help me complete the form,” Williamson said. “It was super simple for me to fill out the student information relevant to my specific situation and skip the parts that did not apply to me. After completing my personal information, I was able to have the website send my parents a link to fill out the required information on their end. It was a more efficient website when it came to coordination between students and guardians.” 

If students need any help, support or have any questions about the FAFSA application process, they should stop by Student Financial Serves office in the Hahn building.