“If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it”. I totally agree. But if it IS broken, and you fix it, make sure it’s better. Both the FAFSA and the SAT have initiated major changes and both are set to debut for the Fall 2023-2024 application season. I’ve talked a bit about the new digital SAT in prior blogs, so my goal today is to provide a reminder of the changes and what to expect.
The digital SAT was first administered internationally in Spring 2023 and will begin in the United States in March of 2024. The first class this will impact are rising juniors.
Some things that are still the same:
1. The scores are still based on a 1600 scale and it still has two sections: Reading/Writing and Math
2. The test will still be administered at a test center or at school
3. Accommodations are still available for students who need them
4. The Khan Academy is still partnered with The College Board to offer free practice testing
5. Students can still bring a pen or pencil and scratch paper to work out answers
Some things that are different (and BETTER!):
1. Results will be available faster (within days, not weeks)
2. It is a much shorter test (2 hours vs 3 hours)
3. It contains shorter reading passages over a wider range of topics and only one question per passage
4. Students can use calculators for the entire math section, not just one of them
5. It is easier to administer and take
The SAT has been on time with its rollout and feedback from international students has been generally positive. Test prep companies have taken advantage of this to fully prepare to support domestic students, including the opportunity to sign up for and take digital practice tests.
The same can’t be said of the new FAFSA. For starters, the new version will not be available under the beginning of December, a full two months later than its usual October 1st date. What this means in terms of how this could impact colleges’ ability to calculate financial aid awards remain to be seen.
For now, let’s focus on the few things we do know:
The length of the form has been reduced from 108 questions down 36, making the FAFSA about two pages long, instead of six pages long.
Who files as “custodial parent” used to be based on who the student lives with the majority of the year. It is now changed to the parent who provides the most financial support.
Families who have multiple children in college simultaneously will no longer receive a break on their financial aid eligibility
The list of colleges you can include on the form has expanded to 20
Assistance from grandparents will no longer be considered part of student’s income for the first two years of college. They can contribute from the beginning.
A list of the changes can be found here. For analysis on what this means and how it affects your family, I’m going to direct you to articles like these or blogs and newsletters from smart folks who have dedicated their careers to understanding and providing information on all things to do with the financial aid part of the admissions process.