FAFSA Simplification
The U.S. Department of Education is implementing the FAFSA Simplification Act to streamline the financial aid application process for students and families. Our financial aid staff at UTEP are here to answer your questions and guide you through the process. For parents and other contributors who do not have a Social Security Number and who need to create a FSA ID, please follow the instructions here (para padres y otros contribuyentes sin número de seguro social que necesiten crear una FSA ID, siga las instrucciones en español aquí).
Recent Updates
4/15 - Eligible Students Are Now Being Awarded, FAFSA Corrections Are Now Available
UTEP is now awarding eligible students and award offer letters are being mailed out. The U.S. Department of Education has also opened the FAFSA for corrections by students and their contributors.
3/18 - Received First Batches of FAFSA Data
As of March 18, 2024, UTEP has begun receiving FAFSA data from the U.S. Department of Education, and our office is diligently working to process this information. If you have submitted your FAFSA, expect to receive additional information via email in April.
3/18 - Issues for Contributors Without Social Security Number Fixed
The U.S. Department of Education has made updates to the 2024-2025 FSA ID process for contributors (parents) without a Social Security Number (SSN). These updates now allow for contributors without an SSN to successfully submit the FAFSA form. For more detailed information regarding how to submit the 2024-2025 FAFSA with a contributor who does not have an SSN, please visit the U.S. Department of Education's Contributor Tip Sheet.
2/29 - Online 2024-2025 TASFA Now Available
The 2024-2025 Online Texas Application for State Financial Aid (TASFA) is now available for students who are not eligible for federal aid.
2/27 - State Priority Deadline Extended to April 15
The state priority deadline has been extended to April 15, 2024. Students may be awarded beyond that date if funding is available. The priority deadline for the Paydirt Promise Program has also been extended to April 15, 2024.
FAFSA Terminology Changes
A new term introduced on the 2024–25 FAFSA form, Contributor refers to anyone asked to provide information on a student's FAFSA form (i.e., the student, the student's spouse, a biological or adopted parent, or the parent's spouse).
Formal consent provided by an applicant and any applicable contributor(s) for a given FAFSA cycle (e.g., December 2023 to September 2025 for the 2024–25 FAFSA form) that meets the statutory requirements of collecting and using an individual’s personally-identifiable information.
Replaces the Student Aid Report (SAR) as the student’s output document providing a summary of data input on the FAFSA form.
Replaces the term “household size” on the FAFSA form.
The data and information related to federal tax returns. It includes a return or return information received directly from the IRS or obtained through an authorized secondary source such as the U.S. Department of Education.
Replaces the Expected Family Contribution (EFC) as a formal evaluation of a student’s approximate financial resources to contribute toward their postsecondary education for a specific award year.
FAFSA Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):
Q: What is the FAFSA Simplification Act?
A: In 2020, the U.S. Congress passed a law called the FAFSA Simplification Act that included implementing a revamped Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to streamline the financial aid application process for students and families. The form now has fewer questions, expands Pell Grant eligibility, and reduces barriers for homeless and unaccompanied youth, and students from low-income backgrounds.
Q: When does the FAFSA Simplification Act go into effect?
A: The FAFSA Simplification Act is being implemented for the 2024-2025 financial aid award year. The online FAFSA is now available.
Q: Will the delays with the FAFSA and processing affect the financial aid award offer I receive from UTEP?
A: No, financial aid eligibility will not be affected by the FAFSA processing delay. We are dedicated to assisting eligible students receive grants, scholarships, and other financial aid. UTEP is proud to be an excellent choice for an affordable and outstanding college experience.
Q: I’m worried that because of the difficulties I’m having with submitting the 2024-2025 FAFSA that I won’t be able to submit it in time to qualify for financial aid. What can I do?
A: Students and families will have ample time to complete the 2024-2025 FAFSA and do not need to rush to fill out the form immediately. Determining financial aid eligibility to attend UTEP will not be impacted by the FAFSA processing delay.
Q: When should I expect to hear back about my financial aid award offer for UTEP?
A: UTEP has begun receiving FAFSA data from the U.S. Department of Education, and our office is diligently working to process this information. If you have submitted your FAFSA, expect to receive additional information via email in April.
Q: What if the delay in receiving information about my financial aid award offer doesn’t leave me enough time to carefully consider my college choices before the decision deadlines?
A: UTEP does not have a decision deadline, so students can take the time they need to consider their financial aid award offer after receiving it
Q: What are the specific changes in the FAFSA this year?
A: Some specific changes to the FAFSA include the following:
- The Expected Family Contribution (EFC) has been replaced by the Student Aid Index (SAI), which is a different way to determine financial aid eligibility.
- Tax information will be directly imported into the FAFSA from the IRS.
- The SAI will no longer take the number of students in a family in college into consideration. This may reduce need-based aid eligibility for current students with siblings in college.
- Students will be able to list up to 20 colleges/universities on the FAFSA.
- Each Contributor (student, student’s spouse, parent(s), and/or stepparent) will have to provide consent to complete the FAFSA. If any contributors do not provide their consent, the SAI will not be calculated, and eligibility for financial aid cannot be determined.
- For students whose parents are separated or divorced, the guidance on which parent income to report has changed to the parent who provides the most financial support for the student, rather than the parent the student lived with the most.
- Students who are considered independent due to homelessness or qualifying dependency override no longer need to recertify their dependency status each year unless their situation changes.
- When required, families must now report the value of their small business or family farm.
Q: Where can I learn more?
A: For additional information, the U.S. Department of Education has created a 2024-25 FAFSA Issue Alerts page. You can bookmark the page and check it periodically.