The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is being revamped in response to the FAFSA Simplification Act. The goal with the upcoming changes is to streamline how students and families apply for financial aid, and how eligibility is determined. Due to these changes being made, the availability to complete the FAFSA application will be delayed. Normally, the FAFSA is available every year on October 1; however, this year, the FAFSA is expected to be available by the end of December 2023.

The Department of Education is encouraging students and parents to create their FSA ID prior to the release of the FAFSA to ensure their account is verified and ready to use when the time comes to complete the FAFSA.

https://studentaid.gov/fsa-id/create-account/launch

Minnesota Goes to College will be hosting virtual sessions for Ready, Set, FAFSA in October and January with interpreters available in Spanish. Students who attend these sessions will be entered into a drawing to win a $500 scholarship. Registration links will be available on the Minnesota Goes to College website soon. The suggested audience for these events is 12^th grade students and their parent(s)/guardian(s). All sessions will be on Tuesday evenings and approximately one hour long with a short presentation from financial aid experts and opportunity to ask questions.

                              October 2023

1. Apply to College – October 3 @ 7:00 p.m.
2. Understand Financial Aid – October 10 @ 7:00 p.m.
3. Create your FSA ID – October 17 @ 7:00 p.m.
4. Search for Scholarships – October 24 @ 7:00 p.m.

January 2024

1. Create your FSA ID – January 9 @ 7:00 p.m.
2. Apply for the FAFSA – January 16 @ 7:00 p.m.
3. Apply for the Minnesota Dream Act – January 23 @ 7:00 p.m.
4. Understand your Award Letter – January 30 @ 7:00 p.m.

Please feel free to take a look at the resource links below.

FAFSA Simplification Fact Sheet Overview

FAFSA Simplification Fact Sheet Student Aid Index (SAI)

FAFSA Simplification FAQs

Better FAFSA Better Future