The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) for the 2024-25 academic year soft launched December 31. This new and improved FAFSA application introduces a more streamlined user experience, aimed at simplifying the overall process per the FAFSA Simplification Act.

Students and their contributors (anyone who is required to provide information in support of a student’s financial aid application) can now access the 2024-25 FAFSA form and apply for financial aid. Applicants should apply by March 4, to maximize their eligibility. 

Before you begin

Throughout the month of February, UC Davis Financial Aid and Scholarship team members will host FAFSA-CADAA Pop-Up Night’s for those who have questions regarding the 2024-25 application.

For added support in filing out a FAFSA application, consult the UC Davis 2024-25 FAFSA webpage. Here, individuals will find ample FAFSA resources such as checklists, fact sheets, and presentations (both in English and Spanish) to aid them in starting their application process. 

Troubleshooting tips

If applicants run into issues completing their 2024-25 FAFSAs, they should reach out directly to Federal Student Aid. There is a small icon (in the shape of a green owl), on the bottom-right of the student aid landing page, for Ask Aidan, a new financial aid virtual assistant tool. This tool may provide guidance or updates on known technical issues. For direct help, call 1-800-433-3243 or write to studentaid@ed.gov.

What to expect after filing

Once complete, applicants will receive an email confirmation to indicate that they have successfully submitted their financial aid application. To check the status of an application, visit Federal Student Aid. Once a valid FAFSA Submission Summary is received, applicants can access their personalized UC Davis aid package through MyAwards (the UC Davis financial aid portal).