The 2025–2026 Free Application for Federal Student Aid opens on December 1, 2024. This is expected to be a temporary change, and in future years the FAFSA will open on October 1.

FAFSA is open now for Beta testing, but this is a testing phase so that the Department of Education can continue to test issues.

Key Changes

  • At Walsh we will start loading FAFSA records as early as January.
  • The Priority Deadline for all Walsh University Students to submit 2025–2026 FAFSA is May 1.
  • The updated FAFSA will feature fewer questions, fewer requirements, and retrieve tax information using a direct data exchange from the IRS instead of the previous IRS Data Retrieval Tool.
  • The Expected Family Contribution (EFC) is referred to as the Student Aid Index (SAI). It removed the number of family members in college from the calculation, allows a minimum SAI of -1500, and implements a separate eligibility determination criterion for Federal Pell Grants.
  • For divorced or separated parents: The parent who provided the most financial support to the student will need to provide their information on the FAFSA.
  • The updated FAFSA introduces the term contributor, which refers to anyone who is required to provide information on a student’s FAFSA form, including the student, the student’s spouse, a biological or adopted parent, or the parent’s spouse. Being a contributor does not imply responsibility for the student's college costs.
  • Who counts as a parent on the FAFSA form? | Federal Student Aid

Next Steps

  • Create an FSA ID on the Federal Student Aid website and assist contributors, such as your parent(s) or spouse, in creating an FSA ID. An FSA ID is an account and password that gives you access to the Federal Student Aid’s online system and serves as your electronic signature. With the FSA ID, you can fill out the FAFSA, sign your Master Promissory Note (MPN), apply for repayment plans, complete loan counseling, and use the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Help Tool. If you already have an FSA ID, there is no need to create a new one. Your existing FSA ID will continue to work.
  • Complete the 2025–2026 Walsh University Supplemental Application available online. This is an internal form Walsh uses to verify enrollment intentions, sport and activity involvement, outside financial contributions, and other factors that contribute to a student’s institutional aid eligibility. If you are not planning to pursue federal or state financial aid, this form has a space to mark that you are not filing a FAFSA.

Terms to know

  • Student Aid Index (SAI): calculated by the FAFSA data; will determine student aid eligibility. This replaces the EFC that was used in previous years
  • Cost of Attendance (COA): includes tuition and fees, food and housing, books and supplies, miscellaneous expenses, and transportation
  • Contributor: a parent, stepparent, student or spouse of the student who is providing information for the FAFSA.
  • Consent: required from all contributors in order for the IRS to share tax data directly to the FAFSA. If any contributor does not provide consent to share the tax data, the student will automatically be ineligible for aid
  • Direct Data Exchange (DDX): previously known as IRS Data Retrieval; this tool imports tax data directly from the IRS to the FAFSA
  • FAFSA Submission Summary (FSS): A summary of the completed FAFSA information. This replaces the Student Aid Report (SAR) that was used previously

FAQ

  • What semesters are covered by the 2025-2026 FAFSA?
    • Summer 2025, Fall 2025, and Spring 2026.
  • Do I have to do a FAFSA every year?
    • Yes, every year you will need to fill out the FAFSA, with your prior year’s tax information.
  • Does my information auto-renew in the form?
    • No, not this year.
  • What types of financial aid could I get by doing to FAFSA?
    • Federal Pell Grant, Ohio College Opportunity Grant (OCOG), Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG), Federal Loans (Unsubsidized and Subsidized), Federal Parent Plus Loan, and Federal Work-Study.
  • What is the difference between Subsidized and Unsubsidized Loans?
    • Direct Subsidized Loans: you will not be charged interest while your enrolled in school, and also during your 6-month grace period.
    • Direct Unsubsidized Loans: Interest starts accumulating from the date of your first loan disbursement.
  • What is the difference between Grants and Scholarships vs Loans?
    • Grants and Scholarships are money you will not have to pay back. Loans are money that you will need to pay back.
  • FAFSA Help Website

Last updated: November 2024