FAFSA & Financial Aid
Find answers to frequently asked questions about the FAFSA updates and other financial aid questions.
As we learn more about the updated FAFSA and about any updates to the process, we'll update this page.
A Note from Financial Aid
“Planning for the next chapter in life after high school can be exciting for a student and their family; however, with that comes some anxiety and concerns as they consider their options and make decisions.
We understand that the changes made to the 2024-25 FAFSA process might add some frustration. Please know that Dordt University’s Financial Aid Office is committed to processing financial aid offers as quickly as possible once the completed FAFSA information is provided to our office by the Department of Education.
Thank you for your patience and understanding as we work to navigate this new process together.”
— Harlan Harmelink, Director of Financial Aid
Recent Updates
January 31
You can access and complete the 2024-25 FAFSA form here: https://studentaid.gov/h/apply-for-aid/fafsa
The Department of Education originally reported that, once a student fills out and submits the FAFSA, schools including Dordt University would not receive the student’s FAFSA information until the end of January 2024.
However, there will be further delays in financial aid offers as the Department of Education has identified the need to make some additional changes to the FAFSA report. These changes are intended to protect a larger portion of a family’s income and assets from being considered, which may result in students being eligible for additional aid.
It was announced this week that the Department of Education will begin passing along FAFSA data known as the Institutional Student Information Record (ISIR) to colleges and universities in the first half of March.
While this delay is disappointing, please know that Dordt's Financial Aid Office is working to be sure your student receives their aid award information as soon as possible.
FAFSA Information
What is the FAFSA?
The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®) form is required to apply for federal student aid such as federal grants, work-study funds, and loans.
In 2020, an act was passed to streamline the process of the FAFSA. Those changes are going into effect now, so the government is currently working on simplifying the process. This is the most ambitious and significant redesign of the financial aid form and process in 40 years.
Improvements coming with the new FAFSA:
- Reduction in the number of questions
- More generous for low-income students
- Securely transfer federal tax information directly from the IRS
The federal government launched the updated FAFSA on December 31, 2023.
It was announced in late January that the Department of Education will begin passing along FAFSA data known as the Institutional Student Information Record (ISIR) to colleges and universities in the first half of March. Dordt University will start processing packages as quickly as possible once we receive that information.
Here are a few steps you can take now:
- Create a username and password at studentaid.gov
- Determine contributors and have them create their username and password: Identify contributors
- Complete Dordt's Supplemental Data Form
You will receive a confirmation page with the submission date, Student Aid Index (SAI), and estimated Pell eligibility. After submitting the FAFSA, you should monitor your emails from Dordt University as well as the Department of Education, as they might want you to submit additional documentation.
Again, colleges and universities won’t receive your FAFSA information until March 2024 at the earliest. Dordt University plans to process packages as quickly as possible once we receive the information.
Watch the “Preparing for the FAFSA Form” playlist to better understand what information and documents you’ll need when filling out the FAFSA form. The “2024-25 FAFSA FAQs” playlist will also give you a more detailed sense of what’s changed on the new form.