FAFSA Tips for 2025


Avoid Mistakes, Maximize Financial Aid, and Submit On Time

🎓 What Is FAFSA and Why Does It Matter?

The FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) is your gateway to:

  • Federal grants

  • Federal student loans

  • State scholarships (like LIFE and Palmetto Fellows)

  • Need-based college aid

Every family should file FAFSA—regardless of income—because many colleges use it to determine merit aid and institutional grants, too.

📌 The 2025–2026 FAFSA opened in December 2024 due to system updates. Don’t wait—submit early for best results.

✅ FAFSA Tips for 2025

1. Submit Early

Aid is often awarded on a first-come, first-served basis. Filing in the first 1–3 weeks gives your student an advantage.

2. Use the Right FSA IDs

Both the student and one parent need their own FSA ID. Create these a few days before filing to avoid delays.

3. Use the IRS Direct Data Exchange

This tool pulls your tax info automatically. It’s fast, secure, and reduces errors.

4. Report the Correct Parent’s Info

If the student’s parents are divorced, only the parent providing more support should report income—not necessarily who the student lives with more.

5. List All Colleges You're Considering

Even if you're unsure—list every potential college to maximize aid options and ensure the info gets to the right schools.

🔄 FAFSA Changes in 2025

The FAFSA was overhauled for the 2024–25 cycle, and those changes are still in effect for 2025:

  • Fewer questions (simplified format)

  • Changes to family size & number in college

  • New Student Aid Index (SAI) replaces EFC

  • Pell Grant eligibility tied directly to income & family size

We stay current on every rule—so you don’t have to.

🛠️ How College Refocus Helps

We work with SC families to:

  • ✅ Walk step-by-step through FAFSA

  • ✅ Review before you submit

  • ✅ Clarify dependency or divorced-parent rules

  • ✅ Maximize eligibility for need-based and merit aid

  • ✅ Sync FAFSA with other scholarship deadlines (like SC Tuition Grants)

Filing FAFSA isn't hard—but filing it correctly and strategically can make a huge difference.

💬 What Families Say

“I thought FAFSA was just a form—but Kevin explained how it connects to scholarships and even school-specific grants. We ended up qualifying for more than we expected.”
— Spartanburg, SC

📞 Want Help With Your FAFSA?

We’ll walk you through it—or double-check what you’ve already done.

🎯 Free FAFSA Review Session includes:

👉 Book a Free FAFSA Help Session »

🔗 Helpful Links