A friendly reminder to all financial aid professionals, as published in the Dear Colleague letter (DCL ID ANN-23-01), the Department’s Better FAFSA® Better Future Webinar Series commences on June 6th.
The series of 10 live webinars are presented by Federal Student Aid staff to help prepare schools on implementation of the FAFSA Simplification Act, the FUTURE Act, and upcoming changes for the 2024–25 award year.
Registration is not required but participation is limited to 10,000 attendees. The webinars are held at 1pm ET. A PDF handout will be available for download the day before the live webinar in the “Upcoming Webinars” section of the FSA Training Center.
If you miss a webinar, don’t stress. A video recording of each session will be available a week after the live session. To locate the recordings and transcripts, log in to the FSA Training Center and then select the “FAFSA® Simplification Training and Resources” icon on the home page.
The full schedule of the webinars is below:
Tuesday, June 6, 2023, 1–2 p.m. ET
Better FAFSA® Better Future Overview and Timeline
Big changes for a Better FAFSA Better Future! This session will focus on the Department’s implementation of the FUTURE Act and the FAFSA Simplification Act. We will review the legislation and discuss the phased implementation from 2023–24 through 2024–25. The session will conclude with additional resources, upcoming training dates, and an opportunity to ask questions.
Link to Join Webinar: Microsoft Teams Link for Better FAFSA® Better Future Overview and Timeline Webinar June 6, 2023
Thursday, June 8, 2023, 1–2 p.m. ET
Protecting Federal Tax Information (FTI) at Your Institution
The IRS DRT is being replaced by the Future Act Direct Data Exchange (FADDX). The session will cover your responsibilities in protecting FTI beginning with the 2024–25 FAFSA form. We will also cover the consent process for students and parents and the impact of failure to consent.
Link to Join Webinar: Microsoft Teams Link for Protecting Federal Tax Information (FTI) at Your Institution Webinar June 8, 2023
Tuesday, June 13, 2023, 1–2 p.m. ET
ISIR vs. ISIR
Stop scrolling! You need this! In 2024–25, you will note multiple changes to the Institutional Student Information Record (ISIR) that are the result of updates to FAFSA questions and processing changes. Discover how the layout of the ISIR has changed so you can identify the fields that have been added or removed. Images of the 2024–25 ISIR will be featured.
Link to Join Webinar: Microsoft Teams Link for ISIR vs. ISIR Webinar June 13, 2023
Thursday, June 15, 2023, 1–2 p.m. ET
Professional Judgment, Dependency Status, and Verification
Learn about changes to professional judgment for both the 2023–24 and 2024–25 award years, including changes related to unaccompanied homeless youth and foster care youth determinations. We will also discuss 2024–25 verification changes.
Link to Join Webinar: Microsoft Teams Link for Professional Judgment, Dependency Status, and Verification Webinar June 15, 2023
Tuesday, June 20, 2023, 1–2 p.m. ET
Better FAFSA® Better Future Q&A – Session 1
Need answers? FSA will respond to questions from previous sessions and field additional questions about Better FAFSA Better Future.
Link to Join Webinar: Microsoft Teams Link for Better FAFSA® Better Future Q&A – Session 1 Webinar June 20, 2023
Thursday, June 22, 2023, 1–2:30 p.m. ET
Student Aid Index (SAI) – Part 1
Goodbye EFC! Hello SAI! Join us as we spotlight the differences between the SAI and EFC formulas and navigate through the world of SAI calculations. Part 1 of this training focuses on SAI formulas for dependent students.
Link to Join Webinar: Microsoft Teams Link for Student Aid Index (SAI) – Part 1 Webinar June 22, 2023
Tuesday, June 27, 2023, 1–2:30 p.m. ET
Student Aid Index (SAI) – Part 2
Goodbye EFC! Hello SAI! Join us as we spotlight the differences between the SAI and EFC formulas and navigate through the world of SAI calculations. Part 2 of this training focuses on SAI formulas for independent students.
Link to Join Webinar: Microsoft Teams Link for Student Aid Index (SAI) – Part 2 Webinar June 27, 2023
Thursday, July 6, 2023, 1–2 p.m. ET
Pell Grant Minimums, Maximums, and In Between
Get ready to learn about Pell Grant minimums and maximums and examine the new methodologies used to calculate a student’s scheduled award in between the minimum and maximum Pell Grant. This session also includes case studies of the different measures used to assess a family’s ability to pay for college.
Link to Join Webinar: Microsoft Teams Link for Pell Grant Minimums, Maximums, and In Between Webinar July 6, 2023
Tuesday, July 11, 2023, 1–2:30 p.m. ET
The FAA’s Role in FAFSA® Simplification
Financial Aid Administrators (FAAs) have a significant role to play in the successful implementation of Better FAFSA Better Future. What will the aid applicant experience look like, and how will you assist? How do you identify and work with partners, both internal and external to your campus, during implementation? How will your policies, procedures, and operations be updated to align with all the changes? This session will highlight items for you to consider as you answer each of these important questions.
Link to Join Webinar: Microsoft Teams Link for The FAA’s Role in FAFSA® Simplification Webinar July 11, 2023
Thursday, July 13, 2023, 1–2 p.m. ET
Better FAFSA® Better Future Q&A – Session 2
Need answers? FSA will respond to questions from previous sessions and field additional questions about Better FAFSA Better Future.
Link to Join Webinar: Microsoft Teams Link for Better FAFSA® Better Future Q&A – Session 2 Webinar July 13, 2023
Thursday, Aug. 17, 2023, 1–2:30 p.m. ET
2024–25 FAFSA® Demonstration
Big changes are coming to the 2024–25 FAFSA form! Join us as we tour new features and discuss important updates to the FAFSA experience. Our demonstration will include a look at the new roles page, inviting contributors, new question order, student demographic questions, the parent wizard, and other exciting features. We will also view how to provide consent to retrieve and disclose Federal Tax Information (FTI).
Link to Join Webinar: Microsoft Teams Link for 2024–25 FAFSA® Demonstration Webinar Aug. 17, 2023
SOURCE: (ANN-23-01) Live Internet Webinars – Better FAFSA Better Future Webinar Series, June–July 2023