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FAFSA Updates and Support

FAFSA Updates and Support
2025–2026 FAFSA Updates

The FAFSA Simplification Act was passed in 2023, introducing significant changes to the FAFSA. Please review the information below to prepare for the transition and new process. Stay alert, be prepared and apply early!

The 2025–2026 FAFSA is open! The Department of Education has announced several known issues and is working to resolve them. In addition, TAMUSA will not receive FAFSA files until mid-March. Texas A&M-San Antonio will continue to provide updates on when files will be received and when students will receive award letters.

The U.S. Department of Education has updated the FAFSA for the first major redesign in 40 years. New formulas are estimated to increase Pell funding by nearly 15 percent with A&M-SA students estimated to receive over $3 million more in the Pell Grant.

Current Timeline:

  • December 2024: 2025–2026 FAFSA and TASFA will open
  • February 15, 2025: Fall 2025 Application for Admission Priority Deadline
  • February 15, 2025: FAFSA or TAFSA Priority Deadline
  • February 15, 2025: A&M-San Antonio Scholarships Priority Deadline
  • June 30, 2025: A&M-San Antonio Scholarships Final Deadline
FAFSA Application

2024–2025 Release Delayed

The 2024–2025 FAFSA was released by the federal government in December 2023. A&M-SA will continually monitor for more details or any changes. Please regularly visit the Paying for College website or this page for the latest information.

Paying for College Website

Student Aid Index

The new Student Aid Index is a measurement of a student and their family’s ability to pay for college. The new formula will provide financial aid administrators more insight regarding students. The new methodology will expand the Federal Pell Grant to more students by linking the family size to the federal poverty level by offering three different Pell Grant levels.

Student Aid Index Details

Consent to Retrieve and Disclose

Students, spouses, parents and stepparents (contributors) will now need to give consent to provide their Federal Tax Information (FTI) in the new Consent to Retrieve and Disclose Federal Tax Information section of the FAFSA for federal student aid eligibility. Dependent students will not be able to qualify for need-based grants without parental consent.

Consent to Retrieve and Disclose

Changes to the FAFSA Process

5 Changes in the New FAFSA Process

  • Terminology Changes
    • The Expected Family Contribution (EFC) is now the Student Aid Index (SAI).
    • The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Data Retrieval Tool (DRT) is now the IRS Direct Data Exchange (DDX).
    • Contributors is replacing the terms student, parent, parent spouse and student spouse.
  • Your spouse or stepparents may need to participate as a contributor and provide consent with their FSA ID. All contributors will be required to provide consent even if the contributor does not have a social security number (SSN).
  • Federal Tax Information will be directly transferred through the consent process.
  • The number of questions on the FAFSA will be reduced from 108 to 48 questions. This shortened application will take less time to complete.
  • Your parent of record on the FAFSA may change. Income and asset information will be required for the parent that provides the most financial support even if you did not live with them in the past 12 months.
FAFSA Application

Preparation and Resources

How to Prepare

Resources for Students and Families

Learn More at studentaid.gov

Frequently Asked Questions

How long will the FSA ID process take?

It may take around 3 days for the FSA to complete the verification process. Please complete your FSA ID and encourage your contributor to complete theirs as soon as possible.

What happens if my contributor is unwilling to provide consent?

If a required contributor is unwilling to provide consent to have their tax information transferred on the FAFSA, the student will not have a Student Aid Index (SAI) calculated to provide eligibility. Please contact the Office of Student Financial Aid and Scholarships if your contributor is unwilling, we can possibly help in providing loan eligibility in some cases.

Where can I get an estimate of my federal aid eligibility?

The Federal Student Aid Estimator is a tool that helps to provide you with your SAI and federal financial aid eligible awards.

Federal Student Aid Estimator

Will there be any available workshops to help with the creation of my FSA ID or FAFSA application?

The Office of Financial Assistance will offer FSA ID workshops on campus and virtually in November and December. Weekly FAFSA workshops will begin as soon as the FAFSA opens. Check back regularly as events will be soon added. Events will be open to new applicants and continuing students.

Will the TASFA priority deadline change or be impacted?

The state released a revised deadline of April 15. Applications should open in December.

My Pell Grant eligibility decreased with the new SAI. Will there be any additional consideration?

Please contact the Office of Student Financial Aid and Scholarships. They can review your eligibility and help with any special circumstances that may impact your eligibility for the Pell Grant.