The FAFSA Simplification Act represents a major overhaul of the processes and systems used to award federal student aid. Starting with the 2024–2025 award year, the FAFSA will be revamped and many policies and procedures for schools that participate in federal financial aid programs will change. At UW-Whitewater, the 2024-2025 FAFSA covers fall 2024, spring 2025, and summer 2025.
Due to the breadth of changes (addressed below) being implemented by the U.S. Department of Education, the 2024-2025 FAFSA will be delayed from the usual October 1 release date to sometime in December 2023. A more precise FAFSA availability date will be updated here once it is known.
New Undergraduate Students (Freshmen and Transfers)
New undergraduate students for 2024-2025 should continue to prioritize completion of their UW-W admission application by January 1, 2024 for scholarship consideration.
The FAFSA remains the application for new freshmen and for transfer students to receive a financial aid offer from UW-W. The delay of FAFSA availability until December does slightly shorten the window for applying for aid, and UW-W will work to begin awarding aid for new students with FAFSAs on file as soon as systems are ready. Anticipated timelines in awarding will be detailed here.
Continuing Undergraduate Students
Returning students should complete the FAFSA as soon as it is available. While some students will receive more need-based aid through the new SAI calculations, others may receive less. You will want to know your aid eligibility sooner than later to make financial plans for continuing your education. Awards for returning students with FAFSAs will occur in spring 2024 to assist in your financial planning.
Graduate Students
Graduate students, because they are primarily eligible for non-need-based federal loans through FAFSA completion, will experience a simplified application process but are unlikely to see any changes in their aid eligibility.
NOTE: 2024-2025 FAFSA changes are being implemented by the U.S. Department of Education. Information on this webpage is subject to change as new information becomes available.