2025-2026 FAFSA Updates
As the FAFSA continues to be simplified at a federal level, we are working to ensure our students and families have the information they need to file for the 2025–26 aid year. This page is dedicated to updates regarding the FAFSA; students can also monitor their University email for updates. Looking for 2024–25 FAFSA information?
what we commit to
Last year, the Department of Education finalized the FAFSA Simplification Act, which presented some challenges during implementation. While we do not expect to encounter similar issues this cycle, Charlotte is still committed to communicating anticipated impacts to our students and families as soon as details are confirmed. As of now, the 2025–26 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form is available to all students and you can submit your FAFSA now at studentaid.gov.
Updates
Dec. 1 — FAFSA is now available
The 2025–26 FAFSA is now available! To be eligible for financial aid next year, you will need to submit a FAFSA, we encourage you to complete it by March 1, 2025. Note, the Department of Education did open a beta version of the FAFSA early last week, if you submitted during that time, please do not submit again.
Timeline
As we enter the FAFSA submission period, please be aware that our teams will be diligently processing applications. We anticipate a high volume of submissions, and we kindly ask for your patience and understanding during this busy time. Rest assured that we are committed to processing applications as efficiently as possible, and we appreciate your cooperation.
FAQs
What is the priority deadline? What does that mean?
- UNC Charlotte’s priority deadline is Friday, March 1, 2025. This is the same deadline for new and continuing students.
- The priority deadline encourages you to submit a complete application in order to receive their financial aid offer in a timely manner.
- Charlotte knows that some students are experiencing challenges with submitting the form, and we encourage them to submit as soon as they are able. We will work with students to review their information as soon as it is available to ensure they have aid offers/packages in a timely manner.
What do I do if I can’t get my FAFSA submitted due to my family member not having a social security number (SSN)?
- If you are affected by this known issue, we encourage you to submit as soon as you are able. UNC Charlotte recognizes the extraordinary circumstances of this year’s FAFSA process.
- Currently, the Department of Ed. is encouraging students without a SSN, or students with contributors without a SSN, to move forward with entering their data manually.
- Students may still experience errors if the entered data does not match their studentaid.gov account information or if they have have sent multiple invitations to contributors.
- As the Department of Ed. continues to resolve outstanding issues, they have created a listserv for students and families impacted by these issues to sign-up for regular updates on the FAFSA. You can sign up for that listserv by going to the listserv page or by sending an email to FAFSAContributorUpdates@ed.gov asking to be added to the list.
Where can I go if I need help? What resources are available?
- Online Resources
- Federal Student Aid (FSA) provides many online resources to help students and families navigate the new FAFSA process.
- FAFSA Pro Tips is an online resource guide that provides in-depth information on submitting the form.
- FSA’s YouTube channel provides short informational videos on each step of the process for students and families.
- FSA has offered webinars for students and families on different topics related to FAFSA:
- 2024-25 FAFSA Contributor Prep (December 2023 recording)
- Understanding the New FAFSA Submission Summary (February 2024 recording)
- UNC Charlotte developed many resources for students and families as well.
- Niner Central
- 49er Family Hub (links to posts below)
- Federal Student Aid (FSA) provides many online resources to help students and families navigate the new FAFSA process.
- Virtual Assistance
- Niner Central offers Virtual FAFSA Assistance appointments. You must register for these using your NinerNET Google account.
- You can directly access the appointment calendar here.
When will students receive their financial aid offers/packages?
- New students: If you submit by the priority deadline, you’re guaranteed an offer by April 1
- Continuing students: If you submit by the priority deadline, you’re guaranteed an offer by mid-May
- Some students’ applications may have additional requirements, such as needed corrections or being selected for verification, before being considered complete. These requirements may affect the offer availability timeline.
Resources
Federal Student Aid (FSA) Website
Monitor the FSA website for first-hand information and updates regarding the 2024-25 FAFSA.
Video Resources
Federal Student Aid (FSA) YouTube
- Check out the 2024–25 FAFSA FAQ Video playlist that will share details about what the FAFSA is, changes which are coming to the 2024-25 application, and details regarding FAFSA contributors.
- This channel also includes explanation videos that share insights into informed borrowing and student loans.
- For students, check out this Financial Aid Bootcamp playlist for details on how to prepare for the 2024-25 FAFSA and view a prototype of the application. Additional videos are expected to be added soon.
- For parents and families, check out this Financial Aid Bootcamp playlist for details on how to you as a contributor can prepare for the 2024-25 FAFSA and view a prototype of your portion of the application. Additional videos are expected to be added soon.
NASFAA Offers Spanish Translation
NASFAA is pleased to offer its explainer document on how to obtain an FSA ID for individuals without a Social Security Number (SSN) in Spanish. Please note, the explainer is based on the most recent information from the Department of Education.
Additional Information
Did you fill out a FAFSA form for 2023–24?
- Log in to your StudentAid.gov account and be sure we’ve got your current email address.
Didn’t submit a 2023–24 FAFSA form?
- Make sure to create your StudentAid.gov account—and remember your username and password so you can access and submit the 2024–25 FAFSA form when it is available.
You can also follow Federal Student Aid (FSA) on social media for announcements and resources.
Additional Questions?
Questions about the information outlined on the FSA website can be submitted to the Department of Education using the Contact Customer Support form in FSA’s Partner Connect Help Center. To submit a question, please enter your name, email address, topic, and question. When submitting a question related to this announcement, please select the topic “2024-25 FAFSA.”