Before the start of each academic year, millions of students fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), which is key to getting financial aid from the federal government to help pay for college. For the upcoming 2024-25 FAFSA, significant changes have been introduced that will make it easier for students and their families to apply for financial aid with a more streamlined application process. 

Historically, the FAFSA has been available beginning Oct. 1 every year. However, because of the improvements being made to the application by the U.S. Department of Education, the 2024-25 FAFSA will not be available until December 2023. Exact dates will be posted on the Financial Aid & Scholarships webpage once available. 

The new FAFSA form will be shorter and more intuitive. It will change how federal aid eligibility is calculated, broadening the number of students who qualify for the Federal Pell Grant. 

“More than 90% of UNLV students are offered some kind of financial aid when admitted, but it's key to apply on time! Some funding is limited, so we recommend students apply as soon as applications are available,” said Zachary Goodwin, executive director for Financial Aid & Scholarships.

New First-Year Undergraduate Students

Since the 2024-25 FAFSA is delayed this year, new first-year undergraduate students applying for admission for fall 2024 should complete the UNLV Institutional Aid Application through the Rebel Success Hub now. The UNLV Institutional Aid Application will allow UNLV Financial Aid & Scholarships to determine financial aid eligibility for incoming students sooner. 

As a new first-year student, priority consideration for financial aid and scholarships is based upon completing a 2024-25 UNLV Institutional Aid Application and being admitted to UNLV by the Nov. 15 priority deadline.

• FAFSA-eligible students who complete the UNLV Institutional Aid Application must also complete the 2024-25 FAFSA once it is available. The deadline will be announced after the FAFSA launches in December 2023.
• DACA, immigrant, or international students who are not Title IV aid eligible only need to complete the UNLV Institutional Aid Application to apply for institutional need-based grants and scholarships.  

New Transfer Undergraduate Students

Transfer students do not need to complete the UNLV Institutional Aid Application. Instead, transfer students should apply for financial aid and scholarships who are interested in applying for financial aid and scholarships for the 2024-25 academic year are encouraged to complete the 2024-25 FAFSA or the 2024-25 UNLV Alternate Need Form as soon as applications become available in December 2023.

As a new transfer student, priority consideration for financial aid and scholarships is based upon completing either the 2024-25 FAFSA or 2024-25 Alternate Need Form, and being admitted to UNLV by the March 15 priority deadline.

Current Students and New Graduate Students

Students who are interested in applying for financial aid and scholarships for the 2024-25 academic year are encouraged to complete the 2024-25 FAFSA or the 2024-25 UNLV Alternate Need Form as soon as applications become available in December 2023. The Alternate Need Form is available for DACA, undocumented, and international students who are not Title IV aid-eligible to be considered for institutional need-based grants and scholarships.  

The priority deadline for current students will be announced after the FAFSA launches in December 2023.