Skip To Content

✨ Cedar Crest College’s Federal School Code is 003243 ✨

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is completely new for 2024-25. Here’s what you need to know.

Congress passed the FAFSA Simplification Act to completely redesign the process used to award federal student aid. Due to the implementation of this law, the 2024-25 FAFSA form has been experiencing unexpected delays and updates to how information is processed.

We’re pleased to let you know that we can now offer you a financial award estimate within 3 business days of receiving your information. The estimate will incorporate forecasts for your federal and state aid eligibility, despite the delays in FAFSA data. 

Two Steps to Your Financial Aid Awards

  1. Complete the 24-25 FAFSA for your OFFICIAL financial aid award eligibility.
    Completing the FAFSA is a critical step in determining your official financial aid eligibility.
  2. Fill out our secure Cedar Crest financial aid form to receive your financial aid ESTIMATE.
    Once we receive your completed information, we’ll send you an estimate within 3 business days.  

To make things even smoother, we’re hosting several FAFSA Filing nights where our team will guide you through the FAFSA filing process. When you attend one of these events, you’ll leave with your estimate in hand. Learn more at cedarcrest.edu/visit »

Questions About Your FAFSA?

Mel DeFlorio (he/him)

Counselor
Phone: 610-606-4666
We‘re keeping it simple for siblings

If you have more than one college student in your household and you’re concerned about how these changes will affect your contribution, we see you. We’re keeping our math simple to make sure you’ll get the maximum aid possible.

A close up shot of some white daisies

What‘s changing?

This new measurement of your ability to pay for college now allows for a minimum value of -1500 instead of zero and will implement separate eligibility determination criteria for Federal Pell Grants.

For more details, see the StudentAid.Gov website »

 

New definitions of how the FAFSA measures family size are intended to align more closely to what is reported on a student or parent’s tax returns.

Please note: it’s important that the family financial information is consistent on both the parent and the student FAFSA submissions. Any inconsistencies could delay processing.

  • More students will be eligible for the Federal Pell Grant.
  • Eligibility for Federal Pell Grants will be linked to family size and the federal poverty level.
  • Incarcerated students in federal and state facilities will regain the ability to receive a Federal Pell Grant.
  • Lifetime eligibility for the Federal Pell Grant will be restored to students whose school closed while they were enrolled or if the school is found to have misled the student.

What‘s staying the same?

Starting once again with the 2025-26 FAFSA, the form must be filled out annually starting in October to be considered for federal student aid.

Questions about a student’s sex, race, and ethnicity will remain on the FAFSA, however they will now just be used for statistical purposes.

The FAFSA will still require you to answer questions about your dependency status to determine if your parents need to submit any information.

You will still be required to submit your tax information from the previous year to fill out the FAFSA.

Students who are experiencing unusual circumstances or who may be unable to provide parental information can still request special circumstances review.

The requirements for a federal education loan have not changed.

The student’s rights and responsibilities for federal aid have not changed.

Academic requirements for students to be eligible for federal student aid have not changed.

What happens after you receive your financial aid package?

Helpful information on how to understand your financial aid package will be posted here soon.

To appeal your financial aid package:

Complete this secure Financial Aid Appeal Form »

If you have any questions, please contact us at or 610-606-4602.

File Your FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid)

Start by requesting your FSA ID number for both you and your parents at www.StudentAid.gov. This will be your electronic signature for the FAFSA and other financial aid documents. Enter the Cedar Crest College code 003243 on the FAFSA to make sure we receive it.

A young woman in a yellow shirt typing on a laptop in the library.

Financial Aid Programs

Have questions about how the financial aid process works? Curious about what types of programs are available to you as a Falcon? Financial Services has the answers to these questions and any others you may have about this crucial process.

Learn about our Financial Aid Programs
A young woman holding up a black orientation folder.

Financial Aid Policies

There are federal and state regulations, as well as Cedar Crest College policy that require you to maintain satisfactory academic progress (SAP) towards your degree to receive financial aid. We will evaluate your record after each academic year, to make sure you remain eligible as you work toward your degree.

How do we ensure eligibility?
Students sitting at a desk in a lecture hall taking notes.

Cost Calculator

Our net price calculator can help you estimate how much is will cost to attend Cedar Crest College as a first-year, full time undergraduate student.

Remember, this calculator is for estimate purposes only.

To maximize your financial aid package, please be sure to adhere to all admissions and financial aid application deadlines.

Net Price Estimate Calculator
Three students in green t-shirts standing in front of South Gate with pom-poms and cheering.