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A Simpler FAFSA

Red background with white text reading Students attending college in the 2024-25 school year can expect a very different Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) filing process than in previous years. Despite the changes, we're here to help! We'll post updates to this webpage as new information from the Department of Education becomes available, so check back regularly. To read more about the FAFSA Simplification Act from the Department of Education, please click here.

Important update on Feb. 5, 2024: After opening the FAFSA at the end of December, the Department of Education worked through issues with the form through the end of January. Colleges were supposed to receive student FAFSA data in late January but were notified by the federal Department of Education last week that all 2024-25 student FAFSA data will be further delayed in being sent to colleges to make financial aid offers. This delay will prevent Whitworth's student financial services team from starting and sending out financial aid offers for the 2024-25 school year until the data is released from the Federal Department of Education. 

Students are encouraged to complete the 2024-25 FAFSA as soon as possible, and the student financial services team will begin creating financial aid awards when the data becomes available.

Stay informed.

  • Click here to register for text message updates about the FAFSA from the Department of Education. 
  • Review known issues and tips for troubleshooting your FAFSA here. 
  • Check your email for monthly FAFSA updates from Whitworth.

What do you need to know?

  • Timeline change: Historically, the FAFSA has opened on Oct. 1.; however, the 2024-25 FAFSA (for students enrolling for fall 2024) opened on Dec. 31.
  • Before you complete the FAFSA, please make sure all contributors (students and parents) have filed and received an FSA ID.
    • An FSA ID consists of a username and password you create to gain access to the U.S. Department of Education's online systems. An FSA ID can also serve as your legal signature when completing electronic documents. While you are not required to have an FSA ID to complete and submit a FAFSA form, it is the fastest way to sign your application and have it processed. It is also the only way to access or correct your information online, or to prefill a FAFSA form with information from your previous year's FAFSA form. You must keep your FSA ID secure and never share it with anyone.
    • To create your FSA ID, click here.
  • What's changing on the 2024-25 FAFSA? Click here to read about it or watch this short video.
  • Want to know who is a contributor on the 2024-25 FAFSA? Watch this short video.
  • In the past, the FAFSA has used Expected Family Contribution (EFC) to determine need. The 2024-25 FAFSA will use Student Aid Index (SAI) to determine how much federal student aid the student would receive. This number results from the information that is provided by the student on their FAFSA. Students can use the Federal Student Aid Estimator to estimate SAI for the 2024-25 school year.
  • Wondering if you should file a FAFSA? Whitworth University encourages all students pursuing a degree to apply for financial aid with the FAFSA.