FAFSA/PELL Information

FAFSA

All students must submit a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). A paper copy of the application can be picked up at any Northeast Tech campus, or students can electronically submit one through the Federal Student Aid website. Use Northeast Tech code 012473 when submitting your FAFSA.

The 2025-26 FAFSA application process begins December 1, 2024, on the mobile app, as well as online. Students are encouraged to take advantage of the early application release date to ensure OTAG funds in 2025-26.

Counselors, students and parents are encouraged to visit these other helpful links:

Complete your FAFSA

Quick Tips for Completing the FAFSA

2024-25 FAFSA Changes

How the FAFSA Simplification Act Affects You

Big changes are coming to the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) application for the 2024-2025 aid year! The FAFSA Simplification Act was passed by Congress in 2020 and represents a significant overhaul of the processes and systems used to award federal student aid. This includes the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form, the need analysis that determines federal aid eligibility, changes in terminology, and many policies and procedures for schools that participate in federal student aid programs.

2024-2025 FAFSA available in December 2023. Northeast Tech will receive FAFSA data in February 2024.

Historically, the FAFSA has been available October 1st each year. However, because of significant changes to the application and the rebuild of the FAFSA processing system, the Department of Education has indicated that students will be able to complete the 2024-25 FAFSA by December 31st and schools will begin receiving FAFSA data by January 31st. This means we won't be able to notify students that we've received their FAFSA until February. Updates on an exact dates will be posted here when announced.

What's changing with the FAFSA?

There are a number of benefits of the FAFSA simplification act, including a more streamlined application process and a better user experience for the FAFSA, expanded eligibility for federal student aid, and reduced barriers for certain student populations (e.g., homeless and unaccompanied youth, incarcerated students, English language learners, and students from low-income backgrounds).

Some fundamental changes include, but are not limited to:

The FAFSA will be shorter and more user-friendly.

Students may list up to 20 colleges.

The FAFSA will be available in more languages.

Applicants will be required to use the IRS Direct Data Exchange.

Previously, users had the option to enter their tax information manually or use the IRS Data Retrieval Tool. Beginning with 2024-25, all persons on the FAFSA must provide consent for the Department of Education to receive tax information or confirmation of non-filing status directly from the IRS. In a very small number of cases, students and families will have to enter their tax data manually, but for most, that data will be automatically transferred into the application. This change makes it easier to complete the FAFSA and reduces the number of questions to be answered.

All "contributors" must provide financial information.

A contributor—a new term being introduced on the 2024-25 FAFSA—refers to anyone who is required to provide information on a student's form (such as a parent/stepparent or spouse). A student's or parent's answers on the FAFSA will determine which contributors (if any) will be required to provide information.

Contributors will receive an email informing them that they've been identified as such, and will need to log in using their own FSA ID (if they don't already have one) to provide the required information on the student's FAFSA.

Being a contributor does not mean they are financially responsible for the student's education costs, but it does mean the contributor must provide information on the FAFSA or the application will be incomplete and the student will not be eligible for federal student aid.

The Student Aid Index (SAI) is replacing Expected Family Contribution (EFC).

The number in college will not be used to calculate SAI.

The parent responsible for submitting the FAFSA incases of divorce or separation has changed.

Family farms and small businesses must be reported as assets.

Disclaimer

Northeast Tech's Office of Financial Aid is dedicated to providing timely updates to students, families, and our community. Due to the significant amount of changes that are occurring, portions of our website may not yet be 100% accurate for the 2025-2026 academic year. We'll continue to update this page as we receive more information from the Department of Education and Federal Student Aid, and appreciate your patience as we work to implement the changes brought by the FAFSA Simplification Act.