Scholarships + Financial Aid
24-25 FAFSA Updates: As of Dec 19, 2023
Delayed 24-25 FAFSA Opening and Soft Launch Period
First, FSA said that “the period leading up to and after December 31” would be a FAFSA “soft launch,” during which time users might encounter “planned pauses” for maintenance and waiting rooms. These planned pauses - during which the FAFSA web site will be down - will occur without advance notice and will allow FSA to quickly address issues negatively affecting the applicant experience. During these pauses, users who are already online will be able to complete their work, but other users may not be able to begin or resume work on the 2024-25 form. FSA noted that , "students and families will have ample time to complete the 2024-25 FAFSA, and do not need to rush to fill out the form immediately when the soft launch period opens.”
Crosby Scholars' office will be closed December 22 - January 2 for the holidays. If you need 24-25 FAFSA assistance while we are away, please use this link to schedule a financial aid counseling session with the Financial Aid Team for after we return.
Launch of the 2024–25 FAFSA® Form: As of Dec 12, 2023
There are major changes and improvements coming to the 2024–25 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®) form. This redesigned and streamlined FAFSA form will be available by Dec. 31, 2023.
What You Need To Know Now
The 2024–25 FAFSA form will expand eligibility for federal student aid.
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610,000 new students from low-income backgrounds will be eligible to receive Federal Pell Grants due to updates to student aid calculations.
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Use the Federal Student Aid Estimator to get an early estimate of what your federal student aid could be after submitting the new form.
The 2024–25 FAFSA form will offer a new, streamlined user experience for students and their families.
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Applicants will be able to skip as many as 26 FAFSA questions, depending on their individual circumstances. Some applicants will need to complete as few as 18 questions, taking less than 10 minutes.
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Watch our “2024–25 FAFSA FAQs” playlist to better understand what’s changed on the new form.
What You Can Do Now
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Make sure to create your StudentAid.gov account—and remember your username and password so you can access and submit the 2024–25 FAFSA form when it’s available.
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Find out if your parent(s) or spouse will need to be contributors (contribute their info on your FAFSA form).
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If your parent(s) or spouse will need to contribute to your form, make sure each contributor creates their own StudentAid.gov account. Even if a contributor doesn’t have a Social Security number, they will be able to create an account when the 2024–25 form goes live.
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Watch our “Preparing for the FAFSA Form” playlist to understand what information and documents you’ll need to fill out the FAFSA form.
- Find out everything parents and students need to know about Federal Student Loan borrowing with CFNC's Smart Loan Borrowing Guide.
Class of 2024 Crosby Scholarship Opportunities: Open Now
Crosby Scholarships for Class of 2024 opened November 1. To learn more about our scholarship opportunities, including how to apply for them, please review our Crosby Scholarships Handbook.
Local, National & Regional Scholarship Database
Sorting through scholarship opportunities can be a time consuming task with difficulty knowing which ones come from legitimate sources.
Let us help you get started by reviewing our Local, National, and Regional Scholarship database to help focus and narrow your search.
Smart Money Moves: Scholarships & Financial Aid Newsletter
Smart Money Moves is your monthly guide to Scholarships and Financial Aid information.
How to Ask for More Financial Aid Due to Special or Unusual Circumstances
Has your family been financially affected by special or unusual circumstances that impacts your ability to pay for college? If so, you should think about writing an appeal letter to your colleges Financial Aid office to ensure that you are being offered as much funding as possible. How do you request a change to your Financial Aid package? SwiftStudent will help you write a financial aid appeal letter for free.
CSS Profile
While all colleges require the FAFSA, some schools also require the CSS PROFILE. The 2024-25 CSS PROFILE will be available beginning October 1, 2023. Unlike the FAFSA, the CSS PROFILE costs $25 for the first application and $16 for each additional application submitted. Make sure that your school requires the CSS PROFILE before filling it out. CSS PROFILE fee waivers are available.
Additional CSS Profile Resources:
1. Getting Started: A CSS Profile Tutorial
2. Need guidance on how to report your Parents on the CSS Profile? Reporting Parents: A Guide
3. What if you have a unique family situation? Completing the CSS Profile as the NON CUSTODIAL Parent
For more information on how to complete the CSS / Financial Aid Profile, including a list of colleges, visit BigFuture College Board.
Helpful Links
Need help comparing your Financial Aid Award Letters? Check out this Compare your Aid Award tool from College Board & Big Future.
CFNC: Choosing the Right Loan Worksheet
CFNC: Borrowing Wisely Worksheet
Understanding your Responsibility when Borrowing Student Loans