If you’re a parent of a high school senior, you may have heard that the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form for the 2025-26 academic year will be released later than usual, shifting from its traditional Oct. 1 opening date to Dec. 1, 2024. Understanding the reasons behind this delay and how it could affect the admissions journey is crucial as you plan for the year ahead. 

1. Why the FAFSA Was Delayed 

The delay is largely due to the implementation of significant changes to the FAFSA as part of the FAFSA Simplification Act, which was passed in 2020. This act introduces several reforms to make the FAFSA process easier and more accessible for families. Key updates include: 

• Reducing the number of questions on the FAFSA form.
• Changes to how the Expected Family Contribution (EFC) is calculated. The new formula will now produce a figure called the Student Aid Index (SAI), designed to better represent a family’s financial situation and simplify the aid calculation process. 
• Expanding eligibility for need-based federal aid to more families. 

In hopes of avoiding a repeat of glitches with the form that were experienced by college hopefuls last year, the Department of Education plans to test this year’s FAFSA form with a limited number of students and schools starting Oct. 1 and making the form fully available by Dec. 1. 

2. Impact on the College Application Process 

The later release of the FAFSA can have several potential impacts on your student’s college application and admissions process: 

• Delayed Financial Aid Packages. Once students submit the FAFSA, colleges use that information to provide financial aid offers as part of their acceptance packages. With the form being released later than usual, there may be delays in receiving financial aid offers from colleges. 
• Need for More Strategic Planning. Without the usual early financial aid estimates, parents and students may need to make more informed determinations about college affordability. You can use Net Price Calculators on college websites to estimate cost and aid eligibility based on your financial information. 

3. What Parents Can Do to Prepare 

Although the delay might seem daunting, there are steps you can take to ensure the process goes smoothly: 

• Gather documents early: Collect tax returns, W-2s, and other necessary documents ahead of time to be ready for the Dec. 1 opening. 
• Check deadlines with colleges: Some schools may adjust their deadlines for financial aid due to the FAFSA delay, while others may not. Reach out to the schools on your child’s list to confirm any changes to their aid deadlines. 

While the Dec. 1, 2024, release date for the 2025-26 FAFSA introduces new challenges, understanding and planning ahead will help minimize the impact on your student’s college application process. 

Thomas More University’s Office of Financial Aid is here to help you experience a high-quality education affordably. Call us at 859-344-3332 or visit thomasmore.edu/admissions for more resources as you journey through the college admissions and scholarship process.