Filled out 2024-2025 FAFSA on Dec 1 - did I complete the wrong form?
I'm super confused right now! I filled out my FAFSA form on December 1st for the 2024-2025 year, and it shows as 'processed' in my account. But my cousin just told me we're supposed to be doing the 2025-2026 FAFSA now? Is that right? Did I mess up big time? The studentaid.gov site let me submit the 2024-2025 form without any warnings or errors, so I assumed it was the correct one. Now I'm worried about missing deadlines or having to redo everything. Help!
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Brooklyn Foley
If it was December 1st, 2023, then you did the right form. The 2024-2025 FAFSA covers Fall 2024 and Spring 2025 semesters. The 2025-2026 form isn't even available yet - it should open in December 2024.
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Elijah Knight
•Phew! Thank you for confirming! I was about to have a full-on panic attack. So I'm good for next fall semester then?
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Jay Lincoln
Actually, there's some confusion here. If you filed on December 1, 2023, then yes, you completed the 2024-2025 FAFSA which is the correct form for the upcoming academic year (Fall 2024-Spring 2025). However, if you filed on December 1, 2024 (which hasn't happened yet), then you would be completing the 2025-2026 FAFSA. The FAFSA always becomes available on October 1st for the following academic year. So the 2024-2025 FAFSA became available on October 1, 2023. Can you clarify which December 1st you're referring to?
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Elijah Knight
•Sorry for the confusion! I completed it on December 1, 2023 (last month). So sounds like I did it right! Phew!
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Jessica Suarez
The 2024-2025 FAFSA is THE WORST ONE EVER!!! They completely changed the system this year and made everything more complicated. Whoever designed this new SAI system should be fired. My parents and I spent 6 HOURS trying to figure it out and then the site crashed twice!!
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Marcus Williams
•Same experience here. The contributor section was a nightmare - my mom kept getting locked out of her account. Have you received your SAI score yet? We're still waiting for ours to calculate.
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Lily Young
Glad to see you're all sorted out! Just a tip for the future - the academic year for FAFSA is always named for the calendar years it covers. So 2024-2025 means Fall 2024 and Spring 2025. The forms always open on October 1st of the previous year (so Oct 1, 2023 for the 2024-2025 form). Make sure you keep an eye on your SAI (Student Aid Index) calculation when it comes through. With the new FAFSA system this year, many schools also have additional verification steps they might require once they receive your FAFSA data.
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Elijah Knight
•That's super helpful, thank you! I've been checking my account daily but haven't seen an SAI score yet. How long does that usually take to show up?
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Kennedy Morrison
has anyones SAI calculation taken foreeeever? i submited my fafsa like 5 weeks ago and still nothing. tried calling FSA like 8 times but just keep getting disconnected or insane wait times
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Wesley Hallow
•I had the same problem and found this service called Claimyr that actually got me through to a human at FSA in under 10 minutes. They have this system that holds your place in line and calls you back when an agent is ready. Saved me so much time and frustration! Their website is claimyr.com and they have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/TbC8dZQWYNQ The agent told me there's massive delays with the new system but my application should be processed within 10 business days.
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Lily Young
For those wondering about processing times, the Department of Education has acknowledged significant delays with the new FAFSA system. According to their latest update, most applications are being processed within 2-4 weeks, though some are taking longer. Your SAI (which replaced the old EFC) should appear in your Student Aid Report once processing is complete. If it's been more than 4 weeks, it's worth contacting Federal Student Aid directly.
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Jessica Suarez
•4 WEEKS?! That's ridiculous! My college's priority deadline is coming up soon and they need my FAFSA data. Why did they roll out a completely new system during application season??
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Brooklyn Foley
My daughter applied on Nov 15 for 2024-2025 and we finally got the SAI calculation yesterday. So about 6 weeks total. The new system is definitely having issues but hang in there.
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Elijah Knight
•Thanks for letting me know! I guess I need to be more patient. Did you have to submit any additional documents for verification after you got the SAI?
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Brooklyn Foley
We didn't have to submit additional verification docs to FSA, but her college did request proof of income separate from FAFSA. Every school seems to be handling the new system differently.
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Elijah Knight
•Good to know! I'll keep an eye out for emails from my school too. This whole process is so confusing.
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