Thursday, January 4, 2024

UTSA One Stop offers guidance on FAFSA changes

UTSA One Stop offers guidance on FAFSA changes

AFFORDABILITY
Spotlight on UTSA’s mission to make higher education accessible to every student who dreams of a college degree

AUGUST 16, 2023 — Significant changes are coming to the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and the Texas Application for State Financial Aid (TASFA) processes. The updates, which aim to streamline the application process and expand financial aid opportunities for eligible students, will go into effect for the 2024-2025 aid year, and are a direct result of the FAFSA Simplification Act that was signed into law in December 2020.

"These federal changes are an important step in reducing financial hurdles and creating a smoother application process for students,” said Lynn Barnes Jr., UTSA senior vice provost for strategic enrollment. “More than ever, UTSA is dedicated to helping students apply for financial aid and providing competitive and substantial offers to further their educational goals."

With these changes to the FAFSA and TASFA processes, the university aims to bolster its commitment to supporting students in achieving their academic goals.


“These changes are an important step in reducing financial hurdles and creating a smoother application process.”


Some noted changes include:

  • The FAFSA application will be simplified with fewer questions for students to answer. There will also be an easier way to transfer tax information directly from the IRS.
  • The FAFSA for the 2024-2025 school year is expected to open in December 2023—a delayed launch from the traditional application date of October 1.
  • Due to the delayed FAFSA availability, the opening of the TASFA will also be delayed. That date has not yet been announced.
  • The Department of Education is replacing the Expected Family Contribution (EFC) with the Student Aid Index (SAI)—a more simplified calculation which may increase the number of Pell-eligible students.
  • Students will now have the option to indicate on the FAFSA if they have unusual circumstances.

EXPLORE FURTHER
Monitor updates to FAFSA and TASFA.
Learn more about UTSA’s Financial Aid options.
Learn more about the FAFSA Simplification Act.

Students can contact the UTSA Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships for further guidance and information. Comprehensive updates will also be posted on the UTSA One Stop Enrollment website as they become available.

The Financial Aid and Scholarships team, along with UTSA One Stop, are dedicated to supporting students during the financial aid application process. Alongside federal and state aid programs, the university provides institutional scholarships, grants, and work-study opportunities to help bridge the financial gap for students from all backgrounds. UTSA’s Financial Success team will be offering several workshops for new and continuing students to assist with financial aid applications. As of this article’s publication, UTSA’s Financial Aid priority deadline of January 15 has not changed.

Lindsay O'Day



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of The University of Texas at San Antonio.

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UTSA Today is produced by University Communications and Marketing, the official news source of The University of Texas at San Antonio. Send your feedback to news@utsa.edu. Keep up-to-date on UTSA news by visiting UTSA Today. Connect with UTSA online at Facebook, Twitter, Youtube and Instagram.


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UTSA’s Mission

The University of Texas at San Antonio is dedicated to the advancement of knowledge through research and discovery, teaching and learning, community engagement and public service. As an institution of access and excellence, UTSA embraces multicultural traditions and serves as a center for intellectual and creative resources as well as a catalyst for socioeconomic development and the commercialization of intellectual property - for Texas, the nation and the world.

UTSA’s Vision

To be a premier public research university, providing access to educational excellence and preparing citizen leaders for the global environment.

UTSA’s Core Values

We encourage an environment of dialogue and discovery, where integrity, excellence, inclusiveness, respect, collaboration and innovation are fostered.

UTSA’S Destinations

UTSA is a proud Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI) as designated by the U.S. Department of Education .

Our Commitment to Inclusivity

The University of Texas at San Antonio, a Hispanic Serving Institution situated in a global city that has been a crossroads of peoples and cultures for centuries, values diversity and inclusion in all aspects of university life. As an institution expressly founded to advance the education of Mexican Americans and other underserved communities, our university is committed to promoting access for all. UTSA, a premier public research university, fosters academic excellence through a community of dialogue, discovery and innovation that embraces the uniqueness of each voice.