The FAFSA can be overwhelming, no doubt. And, it can feel like a lot is riding on it. Plus, on top of the already confusing process, this year, they announced big changes to the form and these changes delayed the application process. Don’t worry, we have you covered.

In the long run, these changes make completing a FAFSA faster and easier, whether you’re filing for the first time or applying for ongoing aid. What are those changes and how will they help? Here are 7 of the most impactful changes you will see:

1. The FAFSA will be delayed this year. While it was delayed this year only until December 31, 2023. (It’s usually available in October.), the FAFSA is now open and many of the initial kinks have been worked out. It’s important you complete the FAFSA as soon as you can so if you have not filled it out yet, it’s a good idea to do that now.

2. You can get your FSA ID now! In order to complete the FAFSA, you and at least one of your parents will need to create an account on the studentaid.gov website. If your parent(s) already has an account, they can check to make sure their log-in is working. Do this as step one when filling out your FAFSA. Then, proceed to the FAFSA website to fill in your form.

3. The FAFSA is much shorter. The simplified form is only about 30 questions – down from about 100! And the answers to several questions will be populated automatically using your and your parents’ federal tax data.

4. More students will be eligible for Pell Grants. A Federal Pell Grant is based on need and is typically only eligible to students who are getting an undergraduate degree and who do not have any other undergrad degree. Eligibility will mostly be based on family income and household size, and it will be easier to know if you qualify (and in some cases, for how much) up front. Pell grants are different than loans in that they do not need to be paid back.

5. The Expected Family Contribution (EFC) is now the Student Aid Index (SAI). The EFC stands for expected family income and is the amount of money the government believes your household can contribute to your education. Most financial aid packages are determined based on this EFC. The SAI is your eligibility number that is used to determine how much federal student aid you would receive if you attended the school. The SAI will be calculated differently than the EFC was, but it serves the same purpose: determining your financial need by subtracting it from the college’s Cost of Attendance. The SAI is calculated based on the contribution made by your parents and your student contribution. The calculation is meant to take your total financial resources and then subtract out the minimum amount of money your family needs for living expenses each year.

6. You very likely don’t need your tax forms to file the FAFSA. For most students, a new streamlined process will import your federal tax info directly from the IRS.

7. You’ll be able to estimate your federal financial aid award and your SAI. The English and Spanish versions of the new FAFSA have a tool that gives you an early estimate of your SAI and federal financial aid. More information is becoming available week by week! Check out studentaid.gov for the latest. We’re here to help you navigate these changes. Reach out to our Financial Aid team for more information or with any questions you have!

Avila student and basketball player Desmond Combs, from Fort Worth, Texas, said, “I’m looking forward to getting my bachelor’s degree! That’s my main goal. That should be the goal for everybody.”

This class consists of freshman, transfer, and international student populations. 78% of these students are local to the Kansas City metro. “We’re seeing exciting interest from international students (with more to come), and our MASSIVE increase resides with incoming freshmen, up 100% from last year,” said Parisse. 

Avila student and Truman High School graduate Chey-Ann Morgan said she’s looking forward to “making new friends, gaining new experiences, and getting out of my comfort zone.”

This impressive incoming class results from many efforts on campus to position Avila as the private university of access. “New and seasoned collaborations with organizations like the Hispanic Development Fund, KC Scholars, and MCCKC, a dedicated recruitment campaign in our local KC backyard, and the unwavering dedication of our enthusiastic admissions and coaching teams who wholeheartedly support our ACCESS mission have all come together to create this remarkable Avila class,” said Parisse. 

The future of Avila lies within this incoming Eagle class. We are building a university of access for them, and they are shaping what we will become tomorrow.  “More Avila Eagles on campus allows for increased opportunity to help launch greater numbers of ambitious change-makers into a life of impact and success,” said Parisse.

“It’s a clear sign of the institution’s growing reputation and appeal. The increased enrollment can lead to a more diverse and vibrant student body, enriching the academic environment and fostering a strong sense of community. Moreover, the influx of students can boost the college’s resources, enabling the expansion of programs, co-curricular activities, and student support services,” said Curtis Burton, dean of students. 

Avila student and baseball player Josiah Singleton, from Baton Rouge, Louisiana, said he’s looking forward to “connecting with new people. It’s a new scenery for me! It’s a big adjustment, but I’m excited to be part of the community here. Everybody is very engaged.”

The şŁ˝ÇÖ±˛Ą of today began in 1963 when construction began on the present-day campus in South Kansas City as a response to growing enrollment. That begs the question of whether today’s campus will suffice for this growing population of students and what may lie ahead.  “Our campus boasts the capacity to handle the influx of students, and an exceptional team of staff and faculty are poised to deliver the utmost care and attention that our students truly deserve,” said Parisse.

“We are taking strategic measures to expand facilities, enhance infrastructure, and optimize resources to ensure a smooth transition. Our priority is to maintain the quality of education and student experience while effectively meeting the needs of the growing student body. This includes increasing housing options and bolstering support services to ensure all students can thrive academically and socially,” said Burton. 

Campus-wide efforts are underway to ensure that all incoming students (and those returning this fall) feel welcomed into the Avila community. 

“We’re making sure all incoming students feel warmly welcomed through a variety of initiatives. Our orientation program provides a comprehensive introduction to campus life, academic expectations, and resources available. Additionally, we’re enhancing student engagement opportunities, creating mentorship programs, and organizing events to foster connections among students, faculty, and staff. Our goal is to create a supportive and inclusive environment where each student can easily become a part of our vibrant community and embark on a successful academic journey here at şŁ˝ÇÖ±˛Ą,” said Burton. 

Avila student Jaren Miller, from Anchorage, Alaska, said, “I’m looking forward to experiencing the community and culture here and how it is to be an Avila Eagle–Go Eagles!”

Metropolitan Community College and şŁ˝ÇÖ±˛Ą leaders signed a six-year, $13.7 million scholarship agreement today, creating high-quality, low-cost pathways to obtaining a bachelor’s or master’s degree. The brief ceremony, led by MCC Chancellor Dr. Kimberly Beatty and Avila President Dr. James Burkee, marks the beginning of a renewed commitment to access and opportunity.

“A college degree remains the gateway to economic mobility in the United States,” said Burkee. “But vast inequalities exist, inequalities our friends at MCC, and we are dedicated to changing.”

Under this agreement, Avila will commit to providing $13.7 million in guaranteed, full-tuition scholarships between 2023-2029 for up to 50 MCC graduates annually, based on financial need. Plus, most students graduating with an associate degree from MCC will receive automatic admission to Avila. Should they choose to earn their master’s degree, Avila will also offer a discounted pathway to graduate degree programs for these MCC students. 

“As we all know, finances are frequently the biggest obstacle for students wishing to further themselves through education,” said Beatty. “This agreement makes it incredibly easy for a student with an associate degree from MCC to transfer seamlessly to Avila.”

By accepting the transfer of the first 60 credit hours in a block and then up to 90 total transfer credits, the agreement will mean huge cost savings for MCC students who need it most.

“You’ve already done the hard work of getting into college and earning an associate’s degree; you should keep it. We’re not going to add new hoops for you to jump through to earn your bachelor’s degree,” said Burkee.

This agreement will enable students to transfer credits seamlessly between MCC and Avila to obtain a bachelor’s or masters in as few credit hours as possible. 

“When we can ease the burden by making the transfer to a four-year institution easier, that translates to fewer additional courses for completion and less debt load for our students,” said Beatty. “We are incredibly proud to partner with Avila, which — like MCC — serves many first-generation college students and underserved populations who will benefit greatly from this agreement.”&˛Ô˛ú˛ő±č;

“I am excited about what this investment means for the students and their families, as well as for the Avila family,” said Dr. Burkee. “Avila is the university of student opportunity in Kansas City. Making Avila the most transfer-friendly university for all MCC students while investing in a cohort of 50 new MCC scholars each year demonstrates this commitment. We are thrilled to add so many ambitious and determined students to our community.”&˛Ô˛ú˛ő±č;

In most cases, students who bring an associate in arts, associate in science, or associate in applied science degree from MCC will enter Avila as juniors, and the first 60 MCC credit hours will be applied toward an Avila bachelor’s degree. Some students can transfer up to 90 hours of MCC credit to Avila, depending on the degree program.

“Economically disadvantaged students are less likely than others to finish college, even when controlling for other characteristics. But some colleges are more successful than others at advancing social mobility by enrolling and graduating large proportions of disadvantaged students awarded with Pell Grants” (U.S. News & World Report).

“Although social mobility can be defined in many ways, it is most often quantitatively measured through economic mobility,” said Avila Director of Institutional Effectiveness Craig Haile, Ph.D. 

Student success has an immediate and generational impact on students’ lives, their families, and the KC region.

“Avila provides degree and certificate programs that are in high demand and needed in the KC community; thus, our graduates are able to secure jobs and advance their careers with the skills and credentials they receive at Avila,” said Haile. Recent enrollment partnerships with KC Scholars, InUni, Academic Partnership (AP), and K-12 Teachers Alliance came into reality because of the shared value of providing greater access to a college degree. These commitments to providing students with a path to success help solidify Avila as Kansas City’s university of access. 

“Avila’s focus on being the university of access means that the institution is committed to reaching students for whom a college education can have the greatest impact,” said Haile. “Avila provides access and support for determined students with tremendous potential. Having these students succeed will have immediate and long-term effects on their lives, the lives of their families, and on the KC region as a whole for multiple generations, as research has shown that educational advantage is persistent to future generations.”&˛Ô˛ú˛ő±č;

Leveling the post-graduation playing field

echoes the importance a college degree can have on social mobility, “A new study, based on millions of anonymous tax records, shows that some colleges are even more economically segregated than previously understood, while others are associated with income mobility.”&˛Ô˛ú˛ő±č;

This study ranked several universities on economic diversity and student outcomes. When compared to its peers, şŁ˝ÇÖ±˛Ą ranked 9th out of 56 colleges in Missouri as median individual income [of graduates] at age 34, and 22nd out of 56 colleges in Missouri on the overall mobility index [of graduates]. “This measure reflects both access and outcomes, representing the likelihood that a student from Avila moved up two or more income quintiles.”

“A survey of recent graduates (academic year 2019-20 and 2020-21) showed that even in the midst of the pandemic that over 95% of our graduates had a “positive career outcome” in the first six months post-graduation as defined by the National Association of Colleges and Employers, meaning they were employed or enrolled in graduate school. Over 85% felt they were doing as well or better economically than their parents at the same age, and over 85% felt they would do as well or better economically in the long run,” said Haile.

When looking at the positive economic impact of its degrees, şŁ˝ÇÖ±˛Ą is one of the best universities in the country for social mobility. By providing access and support for students, Avila’s commitment to opportunity and student success means its graduates are more likely to improve their economic standing.  “Interestingly, there was no significant difference in average starting graduate salary regardless of their family household income bracket, indicating that our graduates born into families at the bottom of the income distribution are able to be on a level playing field with wealthier peers,” said Haile.

Beginning with the 2023-2024 academic year through 2031-2032, şŁ˝ÇÖ±˛Ą and KC Scholars will award eight cohorts of up to 100 students per year with full tuition scholarships per year. Each scholarship will be renewable for up to five years.  These scholarships will be incremental to and separate from the over 400 scholarships that KC Scholars awards each year to 11th-grade low- and moderate-income students in the six-county Kansas City area.

As part of the agreement, şŁ˝ÇÖ±˛Ą has committed to investing $110 million dollars over eight years to fund this effort. KC Scholars will invest $20 million dollars over the same period.

“There is so much need in Kansas City,” said KC Scholars President and CEO Earl Martin Phalen. “During our last award cycle, approximately 900 applicants met the KC Scholars qualifications but didn’t receive scholarships due to funding restrictions. This agreement will afford hundreds more hardworking, deserving Scholars an opportunity to attend college. We are extremely grateful to Avila for their partnership and commitment.”

“I am excited about what this investment means for the students and their families, as well as for the Avila family,” said şŁ˝ÇÖ±˛Ą President Jim Burkee, Ph.D. “Avila is the university of student access in Kansas City, and investing in a cohort of 100 new KC Scholars each year demonstrates this commitment. We are thrilled to add so many future leaders to our roster.”

“When I decided to make a switch to be an educator, I knew I wanted to find an accredited, rigorous program with a strong reputation that would help successfully prepare me to be a great teacher,” said Collins.

Now a middle school teacher in the Olathe (Kansas) Public School District, Collins teaches literacy and journalism to sixth through eighth-graders. “I would not be the teacher I am today without my experience at Avila.”

Congratulations on your 2020 Kansas Horizon Award!

Thank you! Now that I am in the middle of my fourth year of teaching, I know that teaching is definitely the career for me thanks to my Avila roots. I was lucky enough to earn the award in 2020. Only 32 new educators earn this award in the entire state of Kansas. This award not only validated my career switch but also showed me the value of my Master’s degree and everything I learned at Avila.  

(The is a Kansas State Department of Education program that identifies and recognizes representatives of excellent teaching in the elementary and secondary classrooms of the state).

What’s next for you?

 I plan to be a classroom teacher for a couple of more years. I plan to get certified in ELL (English-Language Learner) teaching and become an ELL teacher within my school district.

What made Avila’s Master’s of Education program special to you? 

I formed many good relationships with Avila’s faculty and staff. Dr. Natalie Cobb was my student teaching advisor during my time in the teacher certification program. She wrote numerous letters of recommendation to help me land my first teaching job. She also wrote a short essay about my teaching abilities for my Kansas Horizon Award. Dr. Sue Ellen Mccalley taught me more about the science of learning than I ever could have imagined. Even though I graduated a couple of years ago, I still refer to my notes from her course. Cory Roup was an excellent advisor who helped me graduate quickly.

I was lucky to have only great experiences with all of my professors.