Veterans need to be aware of a few special circumstances when completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). These circumstances include the student aid treatment of veterans education benefits and the definition of a veteran for student aid purposes. Veterans Education Benefits are usually treated as resources, not income, for federal student aid purposes. The resources below are a good resource for understanding Veteran’s Education Benefits:
- Military.com maintains a Veteran’s Education Benefit Guide. This guide outlines several options for education benefits.
- Understand Combat Pay and Other Untaxed Income and how to report it on the FAFSA.
- Veterans Status for Student Aid Purposes is not necessarily the same as veteran status for VA purposes.
IMPORTANT FAFSA INFORMATION
The 2024-25 FAFSA is currently being revamped by the US Department of Education. It is expected to become available in December 2023, not October on 1st as previously scheduled. The exact date has yet to be announced.