9 tips for applying for FAFSA as new, simplified form rolls out this year [Video]

(Stacker) – Applying for federal student aid has always been a necessary process, but never a simple one. This year, the federal government rolled out a new, supposedly simplified version of the application form online.

Bold.org analyzed resources from the Department of Education, the National College Attainment Network, and news reports to compile this list of tips for students to get a head start on FAFSA applications for the 2024-25 school year. The aid varies depending on a student’s household income and other factors and isn’t available to noncitizens or Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals recipients.

FAFSA, or the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, has been a lifeline for students who couldn’t afford a college education without it since 1992. Congress added it to the Higher Education Act, intending to bring equal opportunity to college admissions.

Students can apply either through the online portalor by mailing in a printable PDF. The FAFSA form serves …