Prepare for the 2024-25 FAFSA: Virtual session Tuesday

This year, the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) was simplified by the U.S. Department of Education.

Due to these changes, the FAFSA form will open in December, rather than the usual October 1 opening date. We hope that the changes to the FAFSA form will enable increased eligibility for federal student aid and create an easier application process.

Virtual FAFSA session

Join Jeff Teague, Carthage director of financial aid, and Ashley Hanson, vice president for enrollment, for a virtual session about the new FAFSA form and what changes to prepare for at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 28. This virtual event is open to current Carthage students, parents, and families.

Join on Zoom

Action Steps for…

Students who submitted a 2023-24 FAFSA form:

• Log in to your StudentAid.gov account as soon as possible. Why? The same account will be used to file the 2024-25 FAFSA, as well as future FAFSA forms.
• Confirm that your current email address is attached to your account.
• Once the FAFSA becomes available, students and parents will receive an email reminder to apply for 2024-25.

Students who did not submit a 2023-24 FAFSA form:

• Create your StudentAid.gov account as soon as possible. Why? Your account must be created before you can file the FAFSA. The U.S. Department of Education recommends creating your account at least two weeks before you wish to file the FAFSA.
• Write down your username and password (called your FSA ID), and keep it somewhere you will not lose it. You will use the username and password you created to submit the 2024-25 FAFSA form when it becomes available.

Parents and family members who will contribute to the 2024-25 FAFSA:

• Create your own StudentAid.gov account as soon as possible. You will need your own account this year to act as a contributor for your student. Why? Your FSA ID acts as your legal signature, so it should not be shared.
• Write down your username and password (called your FSA ID), and keep it somewhere you will not lose it. You will use the username and password you created to contribute to the 2024-25 FAFSA form when it becomes available.

FAFSA help and tips:

FAFSA renewal applications will not be possible this year, meaning that students will not be able to transfer past information to the 2024-25 FAFSA.

Why? The changes to this year’s FAFSA make the old format outdated. In future years, FAFSA renewals will be possible again.

• Forgot your username? Retrieve your username.
• Forgot your password? Reset your password.
• Have a different issue or your login still isn’t working? Get help accessing your account.

For more information, contact:

Office of Student Financial Services: studentfinances@carthage.edu