2024-2025 FAFSA Changes
Significant changes have been made to the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) application for the 2024-25 aid year.
As a result of the FAFSA Simplification Act, the Federal Student Aid has updated the FAFSA process to expand access to federal student aid and provide an easier, streamlined FAFSA experience for students and families. Federal aid eligibility will be extended to more students.
The Federal Student Aid office has released a new timeline that will impact when students receive college financial aid award packages. Financial aid awards will take longer to arrive this year due to nationwide delays from the FAFSA simplification process, but they will not impact your eligibility to receive financial aid.
We know these bumps in the road are frustrating, but keep going. We are here to help!
The 2024-25 FAFSA is Now Available
All 2024-25 students should file the FAFSA now at studentaid.gov. The CCS school code for FAFSA is 006771.
It is important that students file their FAFSA as soon as they are able. We encourage you to review the comprehensive financial aid offer from CCS when you receive it so you can get a clearer understanding of how much financial support federal grants, state grants and CCS institutional grants are being offered to you.
All Michigan Students should file by July 1, 2024 to ensure they meet the deadline for Michigan State Grants.
Troubleshooting
Some students and families are having difficulty completing or submitting the FAFSA. Please be persistent and patient through the process and don’t give up.
Knowing the delays, certain students and families may need additional time to consider their financial aid award before committing to CCS. Students may request an extension through their Admissions Counselor.
If you or your family has questions, our teams can support you:
CCS Admissions – 313.664.7425 – [email protected]
CCS Financial Aid – 313.664.7495 – [email protected]
Key Updates to FAFSA
- Federal aid eligibility will be extended to more students.
- The FAFSA will be streamlined and more user-friendly with fewer questions.
- The Student Aid Index (SAI) will replace the Expected Family Contribution (EFC).
- To simplify the process, the IRS Direct Data Exchange (DDX) will be mandatory for students, spouses and parents to transfer their 2022 tax information or non-filing status.
- The FAFSA calculation will no longer consider the number of family members in college.
- For divorced or separated parents: The parent who provided the most financial support to the student will need to provide their information. Previously, the parent who the student lived with the most provided their information.
- Everyone contributing to the FAFSA form online must have their own account on the Federal Student Aid (FSA) website. Each contributor, including the student, will access their account with their own FSA ID (account username and password).
- Certain untaxed items such as payments to tax-deferred retirement or pension plans, veteran’s non-educational benefits, and worker’s compensation will no longer be required.
Dos and Don’ts for New Students
Do
- File a 2024-25 FAFSA as soon as possible. The sooner you file, the sooner you will receive a financial aid award package.
- Schedule college visits and explore campuses to make sure you have all the information necessary to make your final decisions, and current students should enroll in classes for next semester as soon as registration opens.
- Confirm your interest in enrollment if you know where you are attending. Check if your college has required an enrollment deposit, housing deposit, and/or orientation.
- Sign up for orientation. Check to see how your desired college offers an orientation (virtual, in-person, etc.).
- Use the SAI Estimator to understand how much aid you should expect to receive for the 2024-25 academic year.
- Use net price calculators to gain a general understanding of college costs.
- Research and apply for scholarships: use this list to find scholarships that you may qualify for. They have varying requirements so you may qualify!
- Use school counselors, admissions counselors, financial aid counselors, academic advisers, college success coaches, and faculty as resources if you have questions about your educational future.
Don’t
- Be afraid to ask for help. No matter what stage you are in, there are resources available!
- Assume you know whether you will or will not qualify for financial aid based on past results.
- Wait to apply to college or schedule classes until your financial award is available.
REMEMBER THAT YOU HAVE RESOURCES AND SUPPORT
While official financial aid offers won’t be available until later in the spring, you have access to resources and tools, as well as individuals who can help inform your postsecondary decision-making. The updated FAFSA will provide a simplified application process that unlocks more money overall. Financial aid awards might take longer to arrive this year due to nationwide delays from the FAFSA simplification process, but they will not impact your eligibility to receive financial aid. Check out these additional tips:
- Use the live chat and/or email ([email protected]) for assistance with completing the FAFSA. If you receive an error message, it’s helpful to provide screen captures of the error messages.
- Pay attention to and attend webinars or updates your college may be providing.
Additional Information for Returning Students
Complete your 2024-2025 FAFSA by June 1, 2024 at studentaid.gov. The CCS school code for FAFSA is 006771.
All Michigan Students should file by July 1, 2024 to ensure they meet the deadline for Michigan State Grants.
Financial aid awards will take longer to arrive this year due to nationwide delays from the FAFSA simplification process, but they will not impact your eligibility to receive financial aid. Check Self Service periodically to review your comprehensive Financial Aid offer and to accept grants, awards and loans.
Resources
- Pro Tips for the 2024–25 FAFSA® Form
- Use these tips to help you successfully complete the 2024–25 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®) form.
- Parent & FSA ID Flowchart
- CCS Undergraduate Scholarship & Aid
- CCS Graduate Scholarships and Financial Aid
If you or your family has questions, our teams can support you:
CCS Admissions – 313.664.7425 – [email protected]
CCS Financial Aid – 313.664.7495 – [email protected]
FAQs
What is the FAFSA?
The financial aid process begins with the completion of the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid). The FAFSA is the only application that CCS uses to determine eligibility for federal, state and institutional awards such as loans, grants and work-study. All U.S. citizens and permanent residents with proper documentation are eligible to complete a FAFSA. The CCS school code is 006771.
What is the CCS school code for FAFSA?
The CCS school code for FAFSA is 006771.
What is the FAFSA Simplification Act?
The FAFSA Simplification Act is a law that represents a significant overhaul of the processes and systems used to award federal student aid starting with the 2024–25 award year, including changes to the FAFSA. Learn more about the law.
Contact us at [email protected] if you have any additional questions.
When did the 2024-25 FAFSA become available?
The U.S. Department of Education launched the FAFSA on Dec. 31, 2023.
What semesters are covered by my 2024-25 FAFSA?
Fall 2024, Winter 2025 and Spring/Summer 2025
When is the 2024-25 Suggested Filing Date for New Incoming Students at CCS?
As soon as possible or by May 1.
When is the 2024-25 Suggested Filing Date for Returning Students at CCS?
As soon as possible or by June 1.
The FAFSA application says all “Contributors” need a FSA ID. What is a “Contributor”?
A Contributor is anyone who is asked to provide information on the student’s FAFSA. This includes the student, student’s spouse (if applicable), biological or adoptive parent, or the spouse of the remarried parent who is on the FAFSA.
Is a contributor required to have an FSA ID?
Yes, all contributors must have an FSA ID.
Do the invitations to contributors to provide federal tax information and consent expire?
Yes. Invitations to be a contributor will be deleted when they have been inactive for 45 days. Any previously entered information will be deleted and the process will need to start over.
I’m a graduate student, how does this impact me?
CCS Graduate Studies financial aid processing relies on the FAFSA for US domestic students. Therefore, incoming and current graduate student aid will be processed once the federal government provides information. This could result in a delay in graduate student aid processing.
I completed my 2024-25 FAFSA but CCS does not show that it has been received. Is there a problem?
Probably not. The U.S. Department of Education has alerted schools that there will be a delay in receiving FAFSA information. CCS may not be able to confirm receipt of your FAFSA until sometime in late spring.
My parents are divorced or separated. Which parent is a contributor for my FAFSA?
The parent who provides the most financial support to the student should be the contributor on the FAFSA.
I’m a current CCS student, when will I receive my financial aid package?
Current CCS students can submit the FAFSA at any time and are encouraged to do so by June 1. We anticipate access to the FAFSA data in enough time to provide financial aid packages for existing students on our regular schedule.
