The 2024-2025 FAFSA Application is now open!
The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is your application for financial aid at Missouri Baptist University and determines your eligibility for need-based grants, loans and work-study.
Where to Start & Expectations
Documents You May Need:
Before diving into the FAFSA, gather the necessary documents to streamline your application process. Please note these items are needed for both the student and the parent. Here’s your checklist:
- FSA ID and password
- List of colleges you’re applying to (up to 20 colleges can be listed)
- Social Security number
- 2022 Federal Tax Returns along with any filed schedules.
Begin the application here: https://studentaid.gov/h/apply-for-aid/fafsa
Please be aware that the Priority Deadline for the state is April 1, 2024. If you meet the requirements for state aid eligibility but miss this deadline, funding cannot be guaranteed. Missouri will continue to take applications through June 1st and may continue awarding eligible students as long as funds remain.
After submitting your FAFSA, a “FAFSA Submission Summary” may be generated for you. Processing of FAFSA data began in mid-March, but the Department of Education is only processing select FAFSA’s while they continue to test their systems. Processing will continue to accelerate through the start of April.
Students who filed earlier this year may not have received a “FAFSA Submission Summary” at that time, but you can a) expect one will be emailed to you by the Department of Education if it was not made available at the time you completed your FAFSA, and b) retrieve it from your account on StudentAid.gov. Here are instructions on how to retrieve your “FAFSA Submission Summary” as well as your “Student Aid Index”.
Questions? We’re Here to Help!
Click here for an ongoing list of common errors people are experiencing. If you have any questions or need assistance at any stage of the process, the Office of Student Financial Aid at Missouri Baptist University is here for you. Reach out, and we’ll guide you through OR Click Here to schedule an appointment with one of a Student Financial Services Counselor.
New terminology for the 2024-2025 FAFSA
Student Aid Index (SAI): The need analysis formula to determine financial aid, formally known as the Expected Family Contribution (EFC), will now be referred to as the Student Aid Index (SAI). The new formula implements a separate eligibility determination for Federal Pell Grants.
Contributor: The FAFSA is introducing the term contributor, which refers to anyone who is required to provide information on a student’s FAFSA form, including the student, the student’s spouse, a biological or adopted parent, or the parent’s spouse. All contributors are required to have an FSA ID. Being a contributor does not imply responsibility for the student’s college costs.
Consent: All contributors are required to provide consent to have their federal tax information transferred from the IRS, have their tax data used to determine the student’s eligibility for aid, and allow the U.S. Department of Education to share their tax information with institutions and state higher education agencies for the administration of Title IV financial aid.
Why is the FAFSA changing?
The FAFSA Simplification Act was enacted by Congress as part of the Consolidated Appropriations Act. Changes have been implemented in phases with the most significant changes effective with the 2024–25 aid year. The FAFSA Simplification Act creates a more streamlined application process, expands eligibility for federal aid programs, reduces barriers for certain students and offers a better user experience when completing the FAFSA form.