The 2024-25 application for financial aid would typically open on Oct. 1, but this year, it opened in late December.
Timeline for Fall 2024 & Spring 2025 Financial Aid
Late December: FAFSA opens.
March: CU Boulder expects to receive financial aid applications from the Department of Education. Students will receive email notification and their status in the student portal will update at that time.
March 15: recommended date to apply for some scholarships that require financial need.
Late April: financial aid offers begin for all new and continuing students.
Learn more about the updated timeline
Why the delay
The FAFSA was delayed this year to allow more time to finish simplifying the application for students.
“The number of questions on the FAFSA is getting cut in half,” says Director of Financial Aid Barb Marshall. “That alone should save families time.”
The Department of Education has been implementing changes from the FAFSA Simplification Act for about three years now. The changes slated for the FAFSA will streamline the process of applying for aid, including a more user-friendly format and enhanced data sharing with the IRS to make adding information easier.
“We’re excited about what this means for the student experience going forward,” Marshall says. “But it will be a transition and we’ll continue to work in the best interest of our students.”
What’s new
Many of the changes will happen behind the scenes, requiring financial aid offices to adapt to a new flow of FAFSA information and adjust policies as needed.
“CU Boulder has a great team of financial aid administrators and just like every other college and university, we’re working hard to ensure accuracy and support students in paying for college,” Marshall says.
The Student Aid Index (SAI) will replace Estimated Family Contribution (EFC), the formula that calculates a family's ability to pay for college. Students and families can use the Federal Student Aid Estimator to see how SAI will compare to the previous EFC calculation.
We’re also aware that the 2024-25 FAFSA contains new, optional questions regarding race and ethnicity. CU Boulder will not receive this information and these responses will not be used when determining aid.
Review changes to the application
This is a developing story. We’ll continue to update this article as new information becomes available.