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The FAFSA is changing

Change can be confusing—but you can navigate the latest changes to the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) process with ease.

We’re here to help.

Nearly 100% of students at the University of Lynchburg receive some sort of financial aid. Getting financial aid at any institution begins with completing your FAFSA.

It’s the one application you need to open the door to grants, loans, Lynchburg scholarships, and work study opportunities.

This year, the Department of Education is making changes to how and when the FAFSA is completed, including fewer questions and better ways to determine who needs aid. The changes are meant to make higher education available to more families and a simpler process for everyone.

Every institution of higher learning in the U.S. is experiencing these changes at the same time. It can feel confusing, but we’re here to make it as simple as possible for you.

Update: 12/13/23

Here's what we know:

  • The FAFSA will open on Dec. 31. This is a shift from the usual Oct. 1 opening due to the extensive nature of the updates.
  • The changes are aimed at making the process more accessible and user-friendly.
  • Upon submission, students will receive immediate feedback, including an estimate of their student aid eligibility.
  • Introduction of the Student Aid Index (SAI): This replaces the Expected Family Contribution (EFC).
  • The SAI calculation will no longer consider the number of family members attending college.
  • Parent of Record Determination: For divorced or separated parents, the criteria for the parent of record has changed to the one providing the most financial support over the past 12 months.
  • There’s now a mandatory requirement for all FAFSA contributors to consent to IRS data exchange. No consent. No federal financial aid. This could also affect institutional aid.
  • Students can now add up to 20 colleges on their FAFSA.
  • Grandparent contributions through 529 plans won’t affect financial aid eligibility

Here's what we don't know yet:

  • It’s still unclear how the SAI calculation will impact individual financial aid packages.
  • We don’t fully understand how the removal of family size consideration in the SAI will impact families with multiple students in college.
  • Given the significant changes, the extent of potential processing delays for applications is uncertain.
  • We don’t know how these changes will play out over the long term, especially in terms of compliance and user experience.

When we know more, so will you!

Recommendations and Resources

Explore these useful updates, tools, and resources to help you navigate the process this year.

Estimate Your Costs Today

Finding out what your college education could cost is simple. Here’s how:

1. Fill out the FAFSA (keep track of your Student Affordability Index number or SAI)

2. Opt in to our net price calculator.

3. Use the net price calculator to determine your estimated financial aid (make sure to plug in your SAI from the FAFSA)

4. Email the results from the net price calculator to [email protected]

5. Sit back, relax, and start dreaming of your future as a Lynchburg Hornet!

Important Guarantee Information:

The institutional financial aid (money from the University of Lynchburg) on your estimate is guaranteed if your official SAI calculated by the FAFSA is within 15% of your estimated SAI.

 - Federal Aid (Pell Grant, SEOG, work-study, or loans) is subject to change based on FAFSA results.

 - Additional scholarships or external aid could adjust your final need-based aid.


You've got Q's, we've got A's. (FAQs)

Why is filing the FAFSA important?

Filing the FAFSA is essential to determine your eligibility for federal, state, and institutional financial aid. It’s also the only way to qualify for federal grants and loans.

What's the deadline to file my FAFSA?

We recommend filing by Feb. 1 to ensure timely financial aid offers.

What happens if my SAI changes significantly?

If your official SAI from the FAFSA differs by more than 15% from the estimated SAI, your institutional aid may be adjusted.

Can I update my financial aid estimate later?

Yes, if your circumstances change, you can provide updated information, and we’ll work with you to reassess your package.

How do I use the Net Price Calculator?

Visit our Net Price Calculator to get started. It only takes a few minutes to see your personalized estimate!

Videos to help you navigate the FAFSA process.

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