FAFSA 2024-2025 confusion - renewal vs. new application & tax year issues
I'm absolutely stumped with the 2024-2025 FAFSA for my son's senior year! Three things I can't figure out: 1) I completed his FAFSA last year for junior year (2023-2024), but this year it's asking me to complete everything from scratch instead of just updating? Shouldn't this be a renewal since he's already in the system? 2) When logging in as a parent contributor, I'm confused about whose FSA ID to use - mine or my son's? And it's asking me to invite other parent contributors, but my wife and I file taxes jointly. Do I still need to invite her? 3) Most confusing part - it's asking for 2022 tax information! I thought for 2024-2025 FAFSA we'd use our 2023 taxes? Did I miss something? This new system is so different from previous years. Anyone who's figured it out, please help!
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Nia Wilson
The 2024-2025 FAFSA is completly different from previous years - total overhaul of the entire system. It's not a renewal anymore, everyone has to start fresh with the new form. And yes, they ARE using 2022 taxes for the 2024-2025 FAFSA, weird as that seems. As for the parent contributor part, you use YOUR FSA ID (the parent), not your son's. And yes, both you and your wife need separate FSA IDs even with joint filing - its stupid but thats how the new system works.
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Luca Russo
•Thanks for confirming! So frustrating they didn't make this clearer. So my wife needs her own FSA ID even though we file jointly? And we really use 2022 taxes for the 2024-25 year? Seems so outdated...
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Mateo Sanchez
Financial aid counselor here! The 2024-2025 FAFSA is completely redesigned (now called the "FAFSA Simplification Act"). Here's what you need to know: 1) This year ALL applicants must start fresh - there are no renewals because the entire system changed 2) Parent login: You use YOUR FSA ID (the parent), not your student's. The student creates their own account first, then lists contributors (you). Even though you file jointly, BOTH parents need separate FSA IDs if you both want access. However, only one parent needs to complete the contribution section. 3) Yes, the 2024-2025 FAFSA uses 2022 tax information (prior-prior year). This is actually standard practice now - they always use tax info from two years before the academic year. The new system calculates the Student Aid Index (SAI) instead of the old EFC, which changes how financial need is determined.
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Luca Russo
•Thank you for the detailed explanation! So the SAI replaces the EFC now? Will colleges still use the same process for determining financial aid packages, just with this new number?
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Aisha Mahmood
You're definitely not alone in your confusion. The only way I managed to complete this new system was: 1. Make sure your son creates his account FIRST and starts the application 2. Then he adds you as a contributor and you'll get an email invitation 3. You create your own FSA ID as the parent (separate from his) 4. Yes, use 2022 taxes (this is actually normal - they always use prior-prior year) 5. Your wife should have her own FSA ID too, though only one parent needs to contribute information The system was supposed to be "simplified" but honestly it's causing so much confusion. Just take it step by step and follow the contributor email instructions carefully.
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Ethan Clark
•This is so helpful!! My daughter sent me an invite but I kept getting stuck in an endless loop trying to create my account. Does the student need to be present when the parent fills out their part? Or can I do it on my own time once I have the invitation?
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Aisha Mahmood
•You can complete your section independently after getting the invitation. Just make sure you're creating a NEW FSA ID for yourself as the parent, not trying to use your student's login info.
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AstroAce
Im in the EXACT same boat!!! Been on the phone with FAFSA for DAYS and keep getting disconnected or put on eternal hold. The 2022 tax thing is correct (weird I know) but everything else is a nightmare. My daughters application has been "processing" for 3 weeks now with no SAI score. The whole system is a disaster this year.
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Yuki Kobayashi
•I got through to an actual human at Federal Student Aid after using Claimyr (claimyr.com). They have this service where they wait on hold with FSA for you and call you back when an agent is on the line. Saved me like 3 hours of hold time. There's a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/TbC8dZQWYNQ. The agent explained that processing times are super delayed this year because of the new system but they could at least tell me what was causing my specific delay.
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AstroAce
•OMG thank you!!! Going to try this right now. So tired of being on endless hold just to get disconnected.
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Carmen Vega
The new FAFSA is a COMPLETE DISASTER!! They delayed the release by MONTHS, then rolled out a buggy system that doesn't work half the time. My daughter's college financial aid office told me they're seeing MASSIVE delays in processing. And yes, they're using 2022 taxes which is ridiculous because many families' finances changed dramatically since then. The department of education has totally FAILED students this year.
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Andre Rousseau
•I heard you can submit a special circumstances form to your financial aid office if your 2022 taxes don't reflect your current situation! My cousin lost his job in 2023 and was able to have his daughter's aid recalculated based on current income.
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Carmen Vega
•Good to know but that's just ANOTHER form and MORE bureaucracy to navigate! Why can't they just use current information to begin with?! The whole system is broken!
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Ethan Clark
lol this new FAFSA is crazy confusing...my daughter and I spent like 4 hours trying to figure it out. the parent contributor part was super weird. btw for the tax thing, its always been 2 years behind, even before this new system. good luck!!
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Luca Russo
•4 hours! That makes me feel better that it's not just me struggling with this. Did you and your spouse both have to create separate FSA IDs?
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Ethan Clark
•yep, we both had to make our own accounts even tho we file together. makes no sense but whatever lol
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Mateo Sanchez
One more important tip: The new system calculates the Student Aid Index (SAI) differently than the old EFC formula. Your son might qualify for more or less aid than in previous years, even with similar financial information. The biggest changes are: 1. More protection for low-income families 2. Different treatment of multiple students in college 3. Changes to how assets are counted Once you complete the form, your son should contact his college's financial aid office to understand how his specific aid package might change under the new system. Many schools are still figuring out how to adapt their institutional aid to work with the new federal formula.
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Luca Russo
•Thank you! I'll make sure he reaches out to the financial aid office. I've heard the multiple student benefit was reduced - we have another child starting college next year, so I'm concerned about how that will affect our overall aid.
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Mateo Sanchez
•You're right to be concerned. The new SAI formula doesn't provide the same benefit for multiple students as the old EFC did. However, many colleges are aware of this issue and some are adjusting their institutional aid to help families with multiple students. Definitely mention this specific situation when your son contacts the financial aid office.
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Chloe Delgado
I'm going through this exact same nightmare right now! Just wanted to add that if you're having trouble with the parent contributor invitation system, make sure your son sends the invitation from HIS account after he's already started his application. I kept trying to create my FSA ID before my daughter had sent the invite and it kept giving me errors. Also, the 2022 tax thing threw me off too - apparently they switched to "prior-prior year" a few years ago to make processing faster, but with all the delays this year it seems pointless! The whole "simplified" FAFSA is anything but simple. Hang in there - we're all figuring this mess out together!
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