This year, there are several notable changes students need to be aware of when filing for the Free Application for Student Federal Aid or FAFSA as it is commonly known. Thanks to the U.S. Department of Education, the 2024-2025 FAFSA has been available nationwide to students as of Dec. 31, 2023, which is later than in previous years. Many students have already seized the opportunity to file this year’s aid application to beat the deadline. 

To save students the time, effort, and headaches associated with missing minor details in the FAFSA process, The University of New Mexico Enrollment Management and Financial Aid offices have a short list of things to remember this filing season as well as workshops through February to help new and returning students navigate each step of the process.

Applicants can now submit a 2024-2025 FAFSA until June 30, 2025. UNM’s Priority Deadline for filing the FAFSA is March 1, 2024. Students submitting after this deadline can risk being excluded from certain time-sensitive and optimal types of priority aid. March 1 is also the deadline to submit any additional required documentation to be considered for priority aid. 

Those students whose taxes have not been completed by the time they file their FAFSA can estimate the required figures or use the previous year’s tax return to complete their FAFSA.

It is important to note that the UNM Financial Aid Office advises not to include decimals in the information you provide in your application. For example, if your wages are $45,503.56, enter $45,504. Ensure that your name is entered exactly as it appears on your Social Security card because any incorrect information on your FAFSA could delay getting your financial aid.

Workshops
The various processes that FAFSA entails can be very overwhelming for many students. To combat this, the Financial Aid office has organized FAFSA Workshops to help students and families complete their FAFSA before the UNM FAFSA priority date of March 1.

To prepare for the FAFSA Workshops, please obtain an FSA ID before your appointment, as they can take 3-5 days to activate. Your Federal Student Aid (FSA) ID can be obtained at studentaid.gov. Also required are your Social Security Number, a Driver’s License, completed 2022 tax forms or W-2s, records of applicable untaxed income, and bank statements or investment records, if applicable.

For more information, visit UNM FAFSA. 

Video courtesy of Federal Student Aid.