The simplified FAFSA form has resulted in 3 million additional applications and unlocked an estimated $5 billion in previously unclaimed federal student aid, according to Department of Education data.

What Changed

The new FAFSA reduced questions from 108 to 36 and integrated IRS data auto-population, cutting completion time from 45 minutes to under 10. The changes particularly benefited low-income and first-generation college families.

Impact

Pell Grant awards increased 22% as students who previously gave up on the complex form now successfully complete applications. Community college enrollment has risen 8% as a direct result.