GREENSBORO, N.C. — Changes to the 2024-25 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) mean late financial aid packages for students.

What You Need To Know

  • Students won’t receive their financial aid packages from colleges and universities until April

  • The FAFSA will now be shorter to complete

  • Maddie Talton is hoping to get into N.C. A&T

The new FAFSA changes will impact students and universities, causing a ripple effect. 

“The main focus is on students and families but also could have ramifications for institutions as well, especially HBCUs,” Bennett College director of financial aid Justin Pichey said.

Maddie Talton is already feeling that ripple effect.

“They delayed it from October to Dec. 31," Talton said. “However, it wasn't available for a lot of people until a couple of days after, and I was able to fill it out around Jan. 2 or Jan. 3.”

That October deadline was crucial because it gave colleges and universities more time to receive students FAFSAs.

Like most students, Talton says financial aid is a big factor in deciding where she will be attending college.

“We want to know how we're going to pay for college. … They're redoing the FAFSA, and they're taking stuff into account, but it doesn't take away the stress that me and a lot of other students have about how they're going to pay for college,” she said.

Congress passed the Consolidated Appropriations Act in 2020, which meant FAFSA would be simplified for students and families. 

With the recent changes, students won’t receive award packages until April, which leaves students feeling uncertain.

“Will I have enough time to visit or revisit my top schools after I get my financial aid package?” Talton asked. “And will I be able to appeal my financial aid package before decision day, which is May 1.”

Talton already has her plan for the future mapped out.

She’s currently dual enrolled at N.C. A&T through Dudley High School's early college program.