Navigating FAFSA Changes: Why Alignment and Flexibility Matter

Changes to the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) over the past several years have significantly affected both students and education abroad offices across the United States. Although the redesigned FAFSA is intended to be more streamlined and user-friendly, its delayed release—in December in 2023 and late November in 2024, rather than October 1, when it has typically been available—means that students have had to wait several months to learn about their available financial aid. Now, education abroad offices are determining how to support students and rethinking processes for navigating the uncertainty.

The Impact

The impact of FAFSA changes on students and offices alike has been dramatic and wide-ranging. Education abroad professionals report challenges related to increased confusion for students, lags between financial aid policy announcements and implementation, and disruptions in the ability to announce institutional awards in a timely manner, impacting students’ decisions about their education options based on affordability.

On top of the challenges presented by FAFSA delays and confusion, uncertainty around funding for certain scholarships and programs has created additional issues. In particular, potential disruptions to federal grant opportunities such as the Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship Program and U.S. Department of State–funded scholarships have caused some students to hesitate when considering study abroad. (One silver lining amidst the challenges: More students appear to be eligible for the Pell Grant, which can open the door to additional study abroad scholarships. Pell Grant recipients can also now receive a “mini Pell” for summer study abroad programs.) 

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