On January 30, the U.S. Department of Education (USDOE) announced that institutions can expect to start receiving FAFSA data during the first half of March. This is a significant delay beyond the previously stated timeline of late January. The USDOE is working to resolve several related issues (see list).
What does this mean for current Ithaca College students?
- The 2024-2025 FAFSA is open: Students should submit their FAFSA as soon as possible (if they have not already done so). Contingent on receiving FAFSA data in March, the Office of Student Financial Services will begin notifying students of their financial aid awards as soon thereafter as possible.
- Students who need to make a correction to an already submitted FAFSA must wait until March to do so.
- The delay in FAFSA data release has necessarily also delayed review of the IC Scholarship application. The IC Scholarship Application will open on March 1 and close on April 1.
- The delay in FAFSA data release will also impact other processes and deadlines. We will communicate updates as decisions are made.
Be assured that since plans for FAFSA simplification were announced, Ithaca College has been taking action to ensure that we support students through this transition and provide the most accurate and timely information about 2024–25 financial aid as possible.
In the coming weeks, we will email prospective students with additional information about their next steps to receive an estimated financial aid package. True to our Ithaca Commitment, we remain dedicated to empowering students and their families to choose IC with confidence and support.
Please contact SFS at sfs@ithaca.edu or 607-274-3131 if you have any questions.