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• Students and parents/guardians will not be able to access the FAFSA form without an FSA ID. Be sure to  if you haven't already.
• If you do not have a Social Security number (SSN),.
• If you or a parent/guardian do not have a SSN, and are in the progress of validating your identity within the FAFSA process, you will still be able to submit your FAFSA app.
• Students interested in learning more about the California Dream Act Application (CADAA) may connect with ºÚÁÏÍø's Dream Success Center for additional support.

New FSA users who request a account and cannot validate their identity using the knowledge-based questions (as generated by TransUnion), may still complete the manual process to validate their identity. 

As of April 30, 2024 you will not need to wait for identity (for yourself or a family member) to be validated before submitting your FAFSA or CADAA. This means students or family members who do not have an assigned SSN may still submit their FAFSA/CADAA forms.
 

As of April 30, 2024 students or family members who do not have an assigned SSN may still submit their FAFSA/CADAA forms. Identity validation does not need to be fully completed before using an FSA account username and password to access and complete the 2024-2025 FAFSA.

Individuals awaiting the results of the identity validation process may use their account immediately.
 

When you submit your FAFSA, you will likely see an "in review" status. No action is needed as long as you received a confirmation email that your FAFSA was submitted.

It is expected that ºÚÁÏÍø will receive student aid data from the U.S. Department of Educationbeginning in late March. Please see below for anticipated processing windows:

• Newly-Admitted Students: Processing will begin in April and aid packages will be sent out shortly after.
   
• Current Students: Processing will take place during the spring semester and aid packages will be sent out shortly after the spring semester ends.

First, view the U.S. Department of Education's .

While the is the best source to help you with your individual FAFSA, you may seek general advice and support from ºÚÁÏÍø's Financial Aid and Scholarships team.

Students interested in support with the California Dream Act Application (CADAA) may connect with ºÚÁÏÍø's Dream Success Center.

• There are less questions to complete on the 2024-2025 FAFSA and a simpler process for transferring tax information directly from the IRS.
• Expected Family Contribution (EFC) has been replaced with the Student Aid Index (SAI). This is a new need analysis formula that will be used when evaluating need-based grants and scholarships.

Review the U.S. Department of Education's

*Any updates regarding the 2025-2026 FAFSA will be shared as they become available.