Undergraduate Financial Aid | Springfield College

Undergraduate Financial Aid

ATTENTION: Are you applying to Springfield College for Fall 2024? There is a change coming to the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). For more information check below.

Whether you’re learning more about us, you’ve already applied, or you’ve been accepted, this is an exciting time. Within this excitement, you’re likely learning to navigate the financial aid process. This can be the part that feels most overwhelming–but we’re here to help.

Most of our students are eligible for some type of aid, whether a grant, scholarship, work-study program, or loan. The Office of Financial Aid can help determine which of these will work best for you.

We can guide you through the steps–from filling out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (you’ll hear it called the FAFSA) to calculating tuition (we can even give you an estimate of those expenses that might be overlooked) to determining which paperwork needs to be submitted and when.

We are here for you, and ready to answer your questions. Let's get started.

2024-25 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) Simplification Q&A

What is FAFSA Simplification?

FAFSA Simplification is a process that the U.S. Department of Education has undertaken to simplify the FAFSA experience for students and families. This is the most significant overhaul of the FAFSA in 40 years. 

When will I receive my financial aid offer?

For those students who have submitted a valid 2024-25 FAFSA, we plan to start notifying prospective students of their financial aid offer approximately late February. Returning main campus undergraduates should be notified by mid-June.

Who is the “family” on the FAFSA?

The term “family” replaces the term “household” (formerly used on the FAFSA) starting with the 2024-25 FAFSA. The family reported on the FAFSA is the parent that provided the student with the most financial support (for dependent students). If that parent is married or remarried, the current spouse’s information is also included.

This may not be the parent(s) with whom the student lives.

Parental information is not reported for independent students who meet the definition of independent.

Who is a parent on the FAFSA?

The parent(s) on the 2024-25 FAFSA are married biological or adoptive parents, or unmarried biological or adoptive parents living together, who provided the most financial support. This may not be the parent(s) with whom the student lives.

Who is a contributor on the FAFSA?

The 2024-25 FAFSA introduces a new concept of contributor on the FAFSA. The student applying for financial aid is always a contributor, and the parent(s) who provided the most support is also a contributor. If the parent who provides the most support is remarried, the current spouse/stepparent is considered a contributor. If tax filing status is “married filing separately,” the spouse will also need to provide consent to transfer their tax information on to the FAFSA. Add the following sentence: If a required contributor fails to sign with their FSA ID and submit their consent the student will not be eligible for federal student aid.

What is a Student Aid Index (SAI)?

Beginning with the 2024-25 FAFSA, the Expected Family Contribution (EFC) is being replaced by the SAI. The index will be used to determine eligibility for federal, state, and Springfield College financial aid, and in some cases a federal Pell Grant.

How do I report Child support received?

On the 2024-25 FAFSA, child support received by the parent(s) reported on the FAFSA will be reported as an asset.

How is a federal Pell Grant calculated?

There are three paths to a federal Pell Grant. Two paths look at the parent(s) income and family size as a factor of federal poverty levels. These paths consider a student for a maximum or minimum federal Pell Grant. The third path, called in-between, is a calculation subtracting the Student Aid Index from the maximum federal Pell Grant.

Our preliminary calculations estimate a few more Springfield College students will qualify for a federal Pell Grant with the new calculation.

The federal Pell Grant is also now calculated using an enrollment intensity. In other words, if you are less than full time (less than 12 credits), the federal Pell Grant will be calculated using the actual number of credits registered in the term; a full-time student (12 or more credits), who is Pell eligible, is eligible regardless of the number of credits registered in the term.

What is the Future Act Direct Data Exchange (FADDX)?

Prior to 2024-25, students and families had the option to link their FAFSA application with the IRS and transfer their tax information on to the FAFSA. Starting with the 2024-25 FAFSA, the FADDX is no longer optional. When completing a 2024-25 FAFSA, the student and parent(s), if applicable, must provide consent to have their tax information transferred from the IRS on to the FAFSA.  

In cases where the parent on the FAFSA is remarried and using a filing status of “married filing separately,” the stepparent will also need to provide consent. This would require the stepparent to create an account and acquire a Federal Student Aid ID (FSAID) at student.gov 

What should I list as Family Size?

The family size (formerly the number in the household) will be transferred from the IRS 1040 as the number of dependents listed on the parent’s 2022 tax return. This number may not be correct. Always review this question for accuracy and update as necessary. 

What should I list as Business and/or farm value?

Prior to the 2024-25 FAFSA, business and/or farm value was only reported if that business or farm employed more than 100 people. Starting with the 2024-25 FAFSA, all business and/or farm value is reported.  A negative value is reported as zero.

What should I list as Number in college?

Starting with the 2024-25 FAFSA, the number of students (from one family) in college at the same time will be asked for, but the answer is not used in the calculation that determines eligibility for financial aid. We expect Springfield College financial aid to remain approximately the same for most families.

What should I list for Federal work study?

Prior to the 2024-25 FAFSA, federal work-study and other need-based employment earnings were self-reported on the FAFSA. Starting with 2024-25, Springfield College will be reporting 2022 tax information for federal work study earnings to the U.S. Department of Education to be used in the SAI calculation.

My Financial Aid: Access your account

Access your My Financial Aid account.  Log in credentials are sent to you shortly after your application for admission is received.  From My Financial Aid you will be able to do the following: 

  • Upload required documents
  • Accept your financial aid offers
  • Track your application materials
  • Follow links to complete online forms
  • Print forms and worksheets
  • View scholarship opportunities
  • View important messages about your financial aid
  • View your financial aid history
  • Track disbursements to your bill

My Financial Aid Portal

Financial Aid Confidential Information Waiver

FERPA (Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act) is a federal law protecting the confidentiality of the student’s records.  In compliance with FERPA, the Office of Financial Aid must have the student’s written authorization to discuss information from their financial aid file to anyone other than a custodial parent(s) that is designated on the current academic year’s FAFSA.  Completing the waiver will allow whomever the student designates to communicate with the Office of Financial Aid.  This waiver will remain on file and in effect until graduation, withdrawal from the college or a written statement to change or eliminate designees.

Download the waiver

Financial Literacy

Looking to better understand your education-related finances?

We're here to help with our financial literacy tools.

Get your questions answered through a series of comprehensive financial aid videos. 

Student looking at their laptop on a bench.