The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is an effort to make things run more smoothly during the financial aid application process and increase access to higher education. The Student Financial Services department at Quincy University currently is working with the new FAFSA and has undergone many changes with the new system. It is very important for students at Quincy University and students applying all over the country to be aware of the vital changes and new FAFSA standard as they get ready to start their college lives. 

The goal for the simplified FAFSA  is to make it easier for students to apply for financial aid. The adjustments are for a number of variables, including home size, college attendance rates, the family contributor, and family income. Another goal of this expansion is to enable more people to access higher education and give financial aid to a much wider range of students. 

Stacey Hert works in the Student Financial Services office at Quincy University. She says the new simplified FAFSA plan will be utilized in 2024. 

“Another notable change in FAFSA is the financial aid offices are not receiving FAFSA right now until the end of January. So this is delaying your financial aid offers. We are here and willing to help with any FAFSA questions, ” Hert said. 

The simplified FAFSA will give families a better understanding of what resources are available to them.  The vast majority of students who attend Quincy University are dependent on financial assistance to meet their educational goals. The university is committed to ensuring that a QU education is accessible and affordable to all students. 

Transparency is highly valued throughout the financial aid process for the simplified FAFSA. There will be more clarity provided to students and their families regarding the kinds of aid that are available, the requirements for qualifying, and the anticipated family contribution. 

 Tom Oliver, director of student financial services, reassured students who are anxious about the new process.

“Transparency is important but guidance and direction from the department of education has been rolling out slowly, which has created some confusion and anxiety from students and their families. We are here to answer any question and want to assure students and once the information comes rolling our way we will be sending out information as soon as possible,” Oliver said. 

Quincy University student Ryleigh Jones has not filled out the new simplified FAFSA.

“It takes way too long for me to fill out my FAFSA. I also struggle to understand and there are too many tedious things to do when filling it out. Being flagged is also very time consuming because I have to deal with my parents W-2 and taxes. I hope the simplified FAFSA takes care of these issues,” Jones said. 

For the simplified FAFSA  the main idea is still to increase everyone’s access and affordability of higher education, even with the changes made to the simplified FAFSA . The simplified FAFSA goals are to expand access to assistance and increase participation in the federal financial aid process, while improving transparency. Knowing these important developments as prospective students get ready to submit their applications will make a more seamless and knowledgeable financial aid process.