New 2024 FAFSA changes causing issues for students

TOPEKA (KSNT) - Changes are coming to the FAFSA form in 2024, but the 'launch' period is causing difficulties for students.

The Department of Education is updating the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form to expand the eligibility for aid and simplify the process. However, in the first week of implementing the changes, there's been a multitude of technical difficulties for students.

Andy Fogel, the director of Washburn's Financial Aid department, says the changes are in a 'soft launch' period right now while the Department of Education works through the new system.

"Will cause delays in communications from schools, including the types of aid that are going to be offered to students," Fogel said of the changes. "And right now, schools are uncertain when they are going to receive the FAFSA response from the Department of Education." 

He says students have told him that once they get through the technical difficulties, the process is relatively easy.

New and notable changes to the 2024 FAFSA form include:

• Less questions
• Student Aid Index
• Access to Pell Grants
• More languages available
• Automatic Tax Data Entry
• 'Contributors' must provide financial information
• Updates to Parent Responsibility
• More College Choices
• Incomplete FAFSAS will be deleted after 45 days of inactivity

To read more about those changes, click here.