FAFSA Updates for 2024-25

Beginning with the 2024-25 academic year, the Department of Education is implementing the FAFSA Simplification Act, which will streamline the process of applying for financial aid and expand access to federal programs such as the Pell Grant for millions of families.  

The FAFSA is now available.

The deadline for Regular Decision applicants to complete the CSS Profile is February 7, 2024. CSS Profile Applications received by this date will be prioritized for review. We understand there may be challenges completing the FAFSA by this date and will continue to review applications received after February 7.

Complete the 2024-25 CSS Profile (undergraduate students only)

• Start with the CSS Profile at cssprofile.collegeboard.org.   
• The CSS Profile helps colleges and universities determine your eligibility for institutional need-based aid.  
• USC’s CSS School Code is 4852.

Create Your FSA ID  

Anyone reporting financial information on the FAFSA (students, parents, spouses) is required to have an individual FSA ID. If you haven’t already, be sure you and your contributors create one.   

Students and contributors can create an FSA ID and set up their accounts on the Federal Student Aid website. 

Complete the 2024-25 FAFSA (all students)

The FAFSA is required for the financial aid application process and is available now.

NOTE: The department request will remain on your FAST portal until we receive your FAFSA data from the Department of Education. We appreciate your patience.

• Apply at fafsa.gov.  
• USC’s Federal School Code (OPEID) is 001328.
• You will be asked to import your 2022 federal tax return information.  

Secure IRS Data Exchange

The redesigned Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) reduces the amount of information students and families need to enter and, whenever possible, auto-populates the form with tax return data imported securely from the IRS.   

Please note: All FAFSA contributors must consent and approve having their federal tax information imported directly from the IRS system. Even non-tax filers and those without Social Security numbers may provide consent and approval. 

Apply to More Schools  

Students can list up to 20 schools on their FAFSA, making it easier for them to find a top-choice college that can offer the financial assistance that best meets their needs.  

Expanded Pell Grant Eligibility  

The FAFSA Simplification Act expands eligibility for Federal Pell Grants and uses family size and the federal poverty level to help determine a student’s eligibility for federal aid.   

Expected Family Contribution (EFC) versus Student Aid Index (SAI)  

The federal Expected Family Contribution (EFC) is being replaced by the Student Aid Index (SAI). The SAI is a figure used to help determine a student’s potential eligibility for federal subsidized aid (Pell Grants, Federal Work-Study and Subsidized Loans).  

Unlike the federal EFC, the SAI formula does not factor in the number of family members in college. It does not determine eligibility for institutional aid.   

The minimum SAI can be -$1,500, instead of $0. This will better assist financial aid administrators in identifying students and families with especially challenging situations. It does not increase need in a financial aid package. 

USC, however, will still use an Expected Family Contribution to determine a student’s eligibility for institutional need-based aid. The EFC is the university’s estimate of what students and parents can expect to pay out of pocket. It includes a minimum Student Contribution (SC) plus an estimated Parent Contribution (PC).   

• Students are expected to contribute to their education through summer earnings or other savings.   
• If the biological parents are divorced or not married, the EFC may include a noncustodial parent contribution.  

The EFC is based on:   

• Taxed and untaxed income.  
• Assets (liquid and illiquid).   
• Special circumstances.   
• Number of children in the family.  
• Siblings pursuing full-time undergraduate studies.  
• How close the parents are to retirement age.

Other Changes  

Custodial Parent(s)  

Custodial Parent(s) will be defined as those who provided the student with more financial support, rather than those the student lived with the most, during the past 12 months.   

Provisional Independent Status  

If an otherwise dependent student is unable to provide their parents’ information due to unusual circumstances, their FAFSA will no longer be rejected but will be processed with a provisional independent status.  

Estimate Your Federal Student Aid  

Students and families can visit the Federal Student Aid website to get an early estimate of the aid they may be eligible for.  studentaid.gov/aid-estimator