The FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) uses student and parent asset and income information to calculate an indicator of the student’s financial need for college. The FAFSA application is open now at studentaid.gov.

2024–2025 FAFSA Status Update

(updated June 3, 2024)

New, incoming students for fall of 2024: We’ve been sending financial aid letters to students. Please check your student portal. The functionality for students and families to make corrections to your FAFSA or add Calvin to it is now available. See details below. FAFSA adjustments to be made by the school (processing special circumstances forms) is not yet available.

If you have not yet begun the process, we encourage you to follow the steps below to submit a 24–25 FAFSA form.

What you can do

  1. New and returning families: Apply now for FAFSA

    Haven’t started your FAFSA application yet for the 2024–2025 school year? It’s not too late—start today!

    • New student and parent: Create your FSA ID
      A Federal Student Aid (FSA) ID—also known as StudentAid.gov account—is your login and password to sign into the FAFSA. It’s required for all contributors, including the student and one parent. Get your FSA ID now

    • New and returning families: Start your application at studentaid.gov
      We recommend completing your application as soon as possible to receive your full financial aid offer as soon as possible.

    • Use Calvin’s FAFSA code: 002241
      When you submit the FAFSA, be sure to list Calvin University as one of your school choices so we receive your application for aid.

      Check out our 14 Tips for Completing the FAFSA.

      If you’ve already submitted your FAFSA, no further action is needed. Federal Student Aid or our Calvin Financial Aid Office will communicate with you on any additional steps, as necessary.

  2. Make corrections or add Calvin to your FAFSA

    The functionality for families to fix or add Calvin to their FAFSA is now available. Log into your Federal Student Aid account to:

    • Make corrections to your FAFSA, from the student or parent.

    • Add Calvin University to your FAFSA if you haven’t yet.

  3. Look for your financial aid letter from Calvin

    We’ve started sending financial aid letters to new, incoming students.

    • High school seniors who live in the United States: you will receive your initial financial aid letter in the mail and an email notification to review in the student portal.

    • Students living outside the US: you will receive an email notification to review your financial aid letter in the student portal.

    • If you are a high school senior who has been admitted to Calvin and you have not yet received your financial aid information, please email finaid@calvin.edu.

    • Currently enrolled Calvin students who are returning for 2024–2025: you will receive notification of your 24–25 financial aid in June.

Timeline: What to expect

Once we receive your FAFSA data from Federal Student Aid, we will expedite the financial aid process. The timeline below may be adjusted if FAFSA data arrives later than expected.

  • May 1 and ongoing: New, incoming students
    Decision day. Submit your $300 enrollment deposit to secure your place at Calvin. This will allow you to get a jump on the next steps in your enrollment journey such as housing preferences, academic advising, and selection of orientation day. Extensions are granted on a limited basis. Let us know if you would like an extension.

    • Calvin is currently processing FAFSA data and sending financial aid letters to new students as quickly as possible. If no additional information is needed from you or your parents, we hope to have your award letter to you within a week of receiving your FAFSA data. If additional information is needed to complete your FAFSA processing, you will receive an email from Calvin with instructions referring you back to the FAFSA webpage.

  • Mid-June and ongoing: Returning Students
    You will receive email notification of your 24–25 financial aid starting in June.

  • End of June and early July: Special Circumstances Form processing
    Calvin is committed to partnering with your family to better understand your financial situation. The information you provide will be used to determine if additional aid is appropriate but may not result in increased aid. Federal Student Aid has announced schools can begin processing Special Circumstances Forms at the “end of June.” If processing results in changes to financial aid packages, students will be updated via email alert.

 

Why did the FAFSA change?

As part of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, Congress enacted the FAFSA Simplification Act. This is a transformative piece of legislation aiming to:

  • Simplify the application process.

  • Broaden federal aid program eligibility.

  • Eliminate barriers for certain students.

  • Enhance the overall user experience.

Traditionally available on October 1, the 2024 FAFSA didn’t open until January, due to the changes in the application process.

Some notable changes you’ll encounter on the updated FAFSA include:

  • Direct data sharing with the IRS (internal Revenue Service). Consent is required from all contributors (the student, parent, step-parent, or spouse providing information for the FAFSA).

  • Fewer questions on the form

  • A shift from the Estimated Family Contribution (EFC) to the new Student Aid Index (SAI) calculation

  • More students in need will become eligible for Pell Grants

FAFSA and Financial Aid at Calvin

Our family webinar is packed with timely answers to parent FAFSA questions.

Questions about the FAFSA?

We are hard at work processing your financial aid to make sure Calvin remains an affordable choice. Your patience is invaluable, and we sincerely appreciate it.

Email us at finaid@calvin.edu if you have any questions or concerns—we’re here to help every step of the way. Thank you for considering Calvin University on your exciting educational journey!