The 2024-25 Colorado Application for State Financial Aid (CASFA) opened on December 31, 2023!
The CASFA is the state financial aid application for undocumented, Colorado ASSET students. The CASFA bridges equity gaps and creates access to postsecondary education for qualifying students. Students who do not have lawful immigration status and who do not meet Colorado ASSET qualifications are still encouraged to apply for institutional aid using the CASFA. Students who are eligible for Federal Title IV aid by completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) should not complete the CASFA.
If you work directly with students, please encourage them to complete the 2024-25 CASFA as soon as possible. Applying sooner will encourage financial aid offices to process and award aid with improved timeliness.
The soft launch of the 2024-25 FAFSA is underway, please expect intermittent access, if you are planning FAFSA completion events, schedule them later in January and in February to account for the soft launch period.
For the first time in nearly four decades, the FAFSA will undergo major transformations expected to improve and streamline the application processes for millions of learners and their families. Some of the changes include:
A new Student Aid Index (SAI), which replaces the Expected Family Contribution (EFC)
Expansion of federal Pell grant eligibility
Automatic population of federal income tax data from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS)
More details about the school’s cost of attendance (COA)
But, while there is a myriad of changes for students, families and even those in higher education, the rollout of the improved forms are available now as a soft launch, with intermittent access. The soft launch is scheduled to conclude at the end of January. Starting in February, all FAFSA functionality is scheduled to be processing.
Click here for updated college/university enrollment deadlines due to recent FAFSA changes
Maintaining Progress Despite the Delayed FAFSA
The delay in the 2024-25 Free Application for Federal Student Aid could have significant ramifications for historically underserved students. With less time than usual to complete the form, state agencies, school districts, institutions, and school and college access counselors should plan accordingly to assist all students in completing the form on time.
To support this work, National College Attainment Network (NCAN) and NCAN member uAspire, developed a statewide toolkit containing action steps, state-specific information, strategies, and templates to help make it easier to transition to the new FAFSA form and process. The materials contained here are helpful to those who provide training.
Students and contributors should start their FSA ID creation process four (4) business days prior to completing the FAFSA form or attending any FAFSA completion event. When students and contributors create their FSA ID, the use of their FSA ID will be restricted to completing, signing, and submitting an original (first-time) FAFSA form. They will have to wait one (1) to three (3) days for their information to be confirmed by the Social Security Administration (SSA) before they can use their FSA ID. Once their information is verified, they will receive an email letting them know that their information was successfully matched with the SSA. For more information about scheduling FSA ID creation events in February, click here.
Students will be able to submit their applications but won't receive FAFSA Submission Summaries (FSS) until the end of January.
Finally, it’s not too late to sign up for FAFSA-related training and events. Learn more about the series here. To view CDHE’s trainings, click here.
The Financial Aid Toolkit provides federal student aid information and outreach tools for counselors, college access professionals, nonprofit mentors, and other advisors.
- Students and Families
Creating an FSA ID (Students and contributors should start their FSA ID creation four days prior to completing the FAFSA form or attending any FAFSA completion event)
Federal Student Aid Estimator Tool
- Professionals
Federal Student Aid - Financial Aid Toolkit for Counselors
2024-25 Better FAFSA Preview Presentation
FAFSA Completion by High School and Public School District
How to Host a FAFSA Completion Event
New FAFSA Provisions for Homeless and Foster Youth
Quick Guide for Counseling Staff Working with Students Experiencing Homelessness