Class of 2024 FAFSA 2024-2025
The 2024-25 FAFSA will be delayed for the entire country and will NOT be available until sometime in December 2023. All students with the assistance from their families are encouraged to complete the form as soon as possible once available to do so to ensure that they don't miss any college or state aid deadlines for financial aid.
The U.S. Department of Education has implemented some significant changes to simplify the FAFSA process for students and their families. For the 2024-25 FAFSA launch the U.S. Department of Education will undertake additional larger steps in streamlining and potentially reducing the number of questions, modifying the formula to calculate the federal Pell grant and changing the Expected Family Contribution (EFC) to Student Aid Index (SAI) and more.
With the delay of the 20245-25 FAFSA release, this delay will affect the NJ Alternative application for NJDREAMERS release as well and make this NJ application for undocumented or DACA students have the same launch date as the FAFSA.
Beginning with the Class of 2022 (and beyond), each graduating high school senior in Newark is required, as part of the District's new graduation requirement, to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid or the NJ Alternative Financial Aid Application.
The FAFSA is an opportunity to have access to the resources that are needed to consider and enter postsecondary education – whether it be 2-year, 4-year, or technical school. In addition, students who are NJ residents but do not meet the requirements for FAFSA may consider the New Jersey Alternative Financial Aid Application (NJAFAA) as an option. The NJAFAA enables students to receive state financial assistance to support their post-secondary college and career goals.
If you do not qualify for the FAFSA or the Alternative Financial Aid Application, parents/guardians should complete the FAFSA/NJAFAA Exemption Form and submit it to your child’s school counselor of your child’s senior year.
Download Documents
College Preparation YouTube Playlist
Curious about what college is like? Take a look at the videos in our “Prepare for College" YouTube playlist. The playlist includes such topics as “What’s the biggest myth about college?” and “What’s the best tip about going to college?”
Checklists
Whether you’re a student or parent, years away from college or just about to start, the following checklists will help you get ready.
- Elementary School Checklist: Student and parent checklists that start the student on the road to enjoying learning and point the parent to resources for college savings accounts.
- Middle School Checklist: Student and parent checklists that get the student thinking about high school and possible careers and encourage the parent to keep an eye on the student’s progress.
- High School Checklist: Student and parent checklists that help the student focus on succeeding academically and learning about financial aid and provide the parent with tips for supporting the student and participating in the financial aid application process.