A New, Shorter FAFSA

Using the New FAFSA Form

Here are some important things that you need to know.

• This year's timeline starts Dec. 1
• You'll need to create an FSA ID account
• The new FAFSA uses some new terms that you'll want to learn
• Find more FAQs and videos below

This Year's Timeline Starts Dec. 1

The new form for the 2025-26 school year is available as of Dec. 1, 2024. The video below was made for last year's form, but the information still applies to this year.

You'll Need To Create an FSA ID Account

There’s a new process for parents or spouses (or others) to get an FSA ID if they don’t have a Social Security number. Because there have been some glitches with the new FAFSA process, they can follow these steps instead: 

• First: Download the Attestation and Validation form
• Next: Download and follow the instructions for completing the Attestation and Validation form
• Note: Students whose immigration status is undocumented should not use the FAFSA or the Attestation and Validation form – You should use the California Dream Act Application instead.

You Should Learn These New Terms

The FAFSA form uses some new terms, including "Contributors" and "Student Aid Index."

More Information and FAQs

You’ll find more information at studentaid.gov and at csac.ca.gov/how-apply, as well as in the FAQs listed below.

You can also click to download a handy financial aid fact sheet from the California Student Aid Commission, which has been updated with information about the new FAFSA and CADAA.

We'll post more updates on this webpage as needed.

• What else has changed with the FAFSA?

  The revised FAFSA includes a number of updates intended to provide a more streamlined and user-friendly experience, as well as several changes in the way a student or family's financial need is calculated. Some highlights are:

  • The look and flow of the FAFSA are updated, and it will be available in additional commonly spoken languages in the U.S.
  • Applicants and required contributors must consent to the IRS Direct Data Exchange, allowing the FAFSA to access their tax information directly from the IRS.
  • The total number of questions will be reduced, from more than 100 to less than 50. Some students will have even fewer questions, depending on their circumstances.
  • Some students will be automatically awarded the federal Pell Grant if their family meets certain income criteria based on the federal poverty level. For example, a student could qualify for a maximum Pell Grant if their family's AGI is within 175% (or 225% for single-parent households) of the federal poverty level for their household size.
  • For students with divorced or separated parents, the parent reported on the FAFSA will now be whichever parent provided the most financial support over the past year (or the most recent year financial support was provided).
  • Students with unusual circumstances, such as unaccompanied homeless youth, may be able to submit to the FAFSA without parental information as a provisional independent student. Schools must still document if the student's situation qualifies.
  • Applicants and contributors must report the value of small businesses and family farms as assets when required.

• What isn’t changing?

  While there are many changes in the FAFSA, there are still many things that will remain the same or close to the way they have been:

  • The general types of aid and aid limits will be the same.
  • The FAFSA will still need to be completed each year to be awarded and receive aid.
  • The FAFSA will still use income and tax information from the "prior-prior year." For example, you will report 2023 information on the 2025-26 FAFSA.
  • Students must still meet federal student aid eligibility criteria, including being a U.S. citizen, permanent resident or national, or other eligible non-citizen.

• Do I still need to input financial information manually?

  The new FAFSA is designed to draw information directly from tax returns, with permission from you and any other "contributors" or individuals whose information is needed. But there may still be times when someone needs to input their financial information manually, such as when:

  • The contributor’s marital status has changed since filing their Internal Revenue Service (IRS) tax return for the applicable tax year (e.g., parents filed a joint tax return but are separated, divorced, or remarried when filing the FAFSA)
  • The contributor filed taxes in a U.S. territory (Puerto Rico, Guam, American Samoa, U.S. Virgin Islands, Northern Mariana Islands), commonwealth, or foreign country
  • The contributor indicates on the online FAFSA that they have not filed a tax return but plan to
  • The contributor is a victim of IRS tax-related identity theft.
  • The contributor did not provide consent to transfer federal tax information
  • The contributor's identifiers do not match IRS records (IRS Response Code 203)
  • The transfer of tax information was incomplete (IRS Response Code 206; reason unknown)
  • The IRS was unable to confirm tax return data (IRS Response Code 212; reason unknown)
  • IRS data is unavailable for an IRS system-related outage at the time the FAFSA is being completed

• Will there also be changes in the California Dream Act Application (CADAA)?

  California has also made some changes to the CADAA, in part to be consistent with the new FAFSA. Here are some highlights:

  • The CADAA will also use the new Student Aid Index (SAI) as a measurement of a family's ability to contribute to college costs, replacing the old Expected Family Contribution.
  • The CADAA is adding questions about race, ethnicity and gender for research purposes, but these are optional and won't affect your eligibility for financial aid.
  • New questions will also be added to help colleges determine eligibility for nonresident tuition exemption under AB 540.