FAFSA Simplification - Virtual Assistant Updates

Modified on Fri, 23 Aug at 4:17 PM

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Ocelot's Compliance Committee conducts regular reviews and updates to ensure that general library content remains current and accurate. Below is a list of the virtual assistant's general library content that has already been updated as a result of FAFSA Simplification, as well as the content scheduled for future updates.

You can customize general library content with an institution-specific response. Once customized, the question will move to the Custom Questions page of the admin portal. Custom question responses are not reviewed or maintained by Ocelot for accuracy. It is the client's responsibility to review and maintain the content of their custom question responses.

Chatbot questions already updated

For more information on updating content, review the Create New and Edit Existing Questions article.

To help you navigate the updates we have broken it down into the following sections:

Virtual Assistant questions already updated

New FAFSA Simplification questions (May 2023)

What is the FAFSA Simplification Act?
What is the SAI?
What is a negative SAI?
What is the Direct Data Exchange (DDX)?
What is Federal Tax Information (FTI)?
If I am currently incarcerated, am I eligible for federal financial aid?
Why am I being asked questions about my gender and race on the FAFSA?
Can I complete the FAFSA without my parental information if I have unusual circumstances?
What is provisional independent status?
Do I need to complete a dependency override every year?

New FAFSA Simplification questions (October 2023)

Do I need to include my spouse's name and social security number on the FAFSA?
TEMPLATE: How will the school determine my housing status since it is no longer asked on the FAFSA?
What is a FAFSA submission summary?
Will the FAFSA submission summary tell me how much aid I will get?
What do I do if I have a Social Security Number issue on my FAFSA submission summary?
I have an Unusual Enrollment History flag on my FAFSA submission summary. What does this mean?
What do I do if my FAFSA submission summary says I'm in default?
TEMPLATE: How can I tell the school that I am interested in work-study since it is not asked on the FAFSA?
Why did I get an EFC last year and an SAI this year?
Is the Student Aid Index (SAI) the actual amount that I will owe the school?
Is there a maximum SAI for the West Virginia Higher Education Grant? (West Virginia Only)
My parent will not contribute to college costs. Will this salary be counted in our SAI?
Why didn't I get an SAI?
Is the Student Aid Index (SAI) for one year?
How do I know how much my SAI is once I file my FAFSA?
What SAI do I need to get federal grants?
Can my financial aid pay my SAI?
Why did my SAI change?
Will my SAI be changed if I am eligible for the Special Rule for Pell Grants?
How do I figure out why I can not use Direct Data Exchange (DDX)?
When will I be able to have my tax data directly transferred using Direct Data Exchange (DDX)?
What are the advantages to using Direct Data Exchange (DDX) when filling out my FAFSA?
If I already submitted my FAFSA in October and provided my tax information using Direct Data Exchange (DDX), is there anything else left to do?
Will everyone be able to use Direct Data Exchange (DDX) when filling out the FAFSA?
How do I use Direct Data Exchange (DDX)?
Will using Direct Data Exchange (DDX) satisfy my Tax Return Transcript requirement?
Do I have to use Direct Data Exchange (DDX)?
Is Direct Data Exchange (DDX) only if you filed taxes electronically?
Am I required to give consent when I complete the FAFSA?
Why did my financial aid eligibility change with FAFSA simplification?
Why am I now required to report the new worth of my family's farm on the FAFSA when I wasn't previously?
Why am I now required to report the net worth of my parents' or my small business on the FAFSA when I wasn't previously?
How can I apply for a Federal Direct Unsubsidized loan only as a dependent student?
What is family size on the FAFSA?
How can my parent complete the parental section of my FAFSA?
How can my spouse add their information to my FAFSA?
Are all contributors required to give consent when completing a FAFSA?
What is the parent wizard tool?
What is Enrollment Intensity?
What is the Special Rule for Pell Grants?
What should I do if I think I am eligible for the Special Rule for Pell Grants?
How will my financial aid be calculated if I am eligible for the Special Rule for Pell Grants?
Will my SAI be changed if I am eligible for the Special Rule for Pell Grants?
What documentation do I need to provide for the Special Rule for Pell Grants?
How do I apply for the Special Rule for Pell Grants?
How do I qualify for the Special Rule for Pell Grants?
What is a considered a public safety officer for the Special Rule for Pell Grants?
How long can I receive the Special Rule for Pell Grants?
Will I be able to use Direct Data Exchange (DDX) if I filed an amended tax return?
What does it mean to give consent on the FAFSA?
What is a contributor on the FAFSA?
What information will I need to have to invite a contributor to complete the FAFSA?
Which parent should I include on the FAFSA if one is paying child support?
What is the Federal Student Aid Estimator tool?
How can I estimate my eligibility for federal financial aid?
Will my SAI be changed if I am eligible for the Children of Fallen Heroes Scholarship?

New FAFSA Simplification questions (Nov. 2023)

How does my parent give consent on the online FAFSA if they do not have a Social Security Number?
How does my parent get a FSA ID if they do not have a Social Security Number?
How does my spouse get a FSA ID if they do not have a Social Security Number?

Existing general library virtual assistant questions (June 2023)

Should I do the FAFSA even if my parents have money?
Why can't I apply for the FAFSA until October 1st?
When should I fill out a FAFSA?
Can I apply for financial aid after I am admitted?
How does my child apply for financial aid?
Do I need to complete a FAFSA each term?
Do I have to reapply for financial aid each year?
Is there an advantage to filling out my FAFSA earlier?
How do I get my financial aid on time?
When should my child apply for Financial Aid?
When should I apply for a Federal Direct Parent PLUS loan?

Existing general library virtual assistant questions (October 2023)

Are pell grants available in Summer?
My student is paying for school on their own; do I have to provide my information on the application?
How does inheritance money affect my financial aid?
My parent is in jail, how do I complete the FAFSA?

Existing general library virtual assistant questions (Updated October 2023 to give two year responses (2023/2024 and 2024/2025) and then removed 23/24 response July 2024)

What is the maximum amount of Pell a student can receive?
How much is my Pell Grant?
How is financial aid eligibility calculated?
I only received student loans; why is that?
What is FAFSA going to give me?
What are the requirements for free money to pay for school?
What is the parental contribution?
Do you give more grant money than loans?
What can I do if the information I gave FAFSA is not accurate to my current situation?
Are grants and scholarships renewable?
What is a professional judgement?
What is a financial aid offer?
Why didn't I get grants?
What are the requirements for need-based aid?
How long can I receive the Children of Fallen Heroes Scholarship?
What does demonstrated need mean?
What is financial need?
How will my financial aid be calculated if I am eligible for Children of Fallen Heroes Scholarship?
My siblings attend other colleges. Why does their financial aid eligibility differ so much from mine?
What is the Children of Fallen Heroes Scholarship?
What does no need mean?
How do I appeal my award?
Why do I need to provide my tax information?
What is an Amended Tax Return?
What is a 4506-T?
How do I submit my tax information if I am selected for verification?
If I enter my personal income and asset information into the FAFSA can my kids see this information?
I lost my tax information. What should I do?
What tax information do I need to complete my FAFSA on/after October 1st?
Can my tax data be retrieved directly from the IRS?
I need to make some corrections on my FAFSA application and it won't let me. Any idea why it won't?
Will my financial aid be affected by the government shutdown?
What if my parents don't want to give me a copy of their federal income tax return transcripts?
My parents are divorced. Which parent's financial information should I use on the FAFSA?
If my parents are divorced, which parent provides information for the student's FAFSA?
Do I put my stepparent's information on my FAFSA?
What parent do I list on my FAFSA?
Who do I list on the FAFSA?
Whose information do I need to put on the FAFSA?
My parents are separated. Which parent do I put on the FAFSA?
How much less financial aid will I get if I have to use my mom vs. my dad?
What are the requirements for free money to pay for school?
What are the requirements for need-based aid?
What salary level makes me eligible for financial aid?
Should I contact the school before correcting my FAFSA?
What is the household income in order to qualify for financial aid?
My siblings attend other colleges. Why does their financial aid eligibility differ so much from mine?
Does having a sibling in college affect my financial aid?
What is considered untaxed income and benefits on the FAFSA?
What assets should I report on the FAFSA?
What are assets?
Do we report disability income on the FAFSA?
How do I provide proof that I didn't file a tax return?
I was asked to provide W-2s; however, I do not have any W-2s from last year. What should I submit?
I did not file a tax return last year because my income was too low. Can I still submit a FAFSA?
I did not file a tax return this year because my income was too low. Can I still apply for financial aid using the FAFSA?
How many schools can I add on the FAFSA?
What if I am unable to provide parent signatures on the FAFSA?
Can I apply for financial aid if I don't have a Social Security Number (SSN)?
How much is my pell grant?
How is financial aid eligibility calculated?
I submitted my FAFSA multiple weeks ago, but haven't heard anything. What should I do?
Where can I find the College Scorecard?
How long does it take the school to receive a FAFSA correction?
How can I avoid making mistakes on my FAFSA?
Do I need separate FSAIDs for myself, my spouse and my student?
How many FSA IDs do I need?
How do I qualify for the Children of Fallen Heroes Scholarship?
What if my parent does not have a Social Security Number?
I was asked to verify that I did not file a Federal income tax return. How do I do this?
When do I have to apply for foster youth?
How will my financial aid be affected if I cannot provide parent information?

Content Archived at end of 23/24 FAFSA year (July 2024)

Existing general library and client-specific overrides with old terminology in top-level questions (examples: EFC, SAR, DRT) were all archived at the end of the 2023-2034 FAFSA year.

FAFSA Simplification - Virtual Assistant Updates

Virtual Assistant questions already updated

New FAFSA Simplification questions (May 2023)

New FAFSA Simplification questions (October 2023)

New FAFSA Simplification questions (Nov. 2023)

Existing general library virtual assistant questions (June 2023)

Existing general library virtual assistant questions (October 2023)

Existing general library virtual assistant questions (Updated October 2023 to give two year responses (2023/2024 and 2024/2025) and then removed 23/24 response July 2024)

What is the maximum amount of Pell a student can receive?

Content Archived at end of 23/24 FAFSA year (July 2024)