FAFSA applications available at earlier date

This will be changing, effective for the 2017-18 school year.

In previous years, the FAFSA was not available to file until January 1.

This year, they can start October 1.

Completing the FAFSA earlier means families can receive critical information like the Student Aid Report (SAR) sooner.

Finally, if you are anxious that you have not yet determined which colleges are on “wish list”, know that you can still file your FAFSA as long as you list at least one school. NerdWallet found that in 2014 more than 1.4 million high school students nationwide didn’t fill out the FAFSA.

Chad Flannery, Executive Dean of Student Services at Southeastern Illinois College says applying early is the best way for students to get the most bang for their buck.

Tessie Wilson, Chairman of College Access Fairfax said, “Most schools have what’s called a priority filing deadline“.

The time frame isn’t all that’s changing. And, if you’ve, indeed, filed your taxes for 2015 by October 1, you may be able to link your FAFSA to the handy IRS Data Retrieval Tool (IRS DRT), which will pre-populate your form with required figures so that you don’t have to do it manually. A 2012 study showed that students who take college courses before graduation are much more likely to continue onto higher education and then graduate than peers who don’t.

Scott said TCU will wait until the summer for returning students to receive their aid, in order to check their spring semester grades.

Get a FSA ID at fsaid.ed.gov before the kickoff date.

“That’s the good news”, said Margaret Thornton, director of Crawford College Connection. You should report the current amounts as of the date you sign the FAFSA, rather than the 2015 tax year amounts.

“It is incredibly important to not wait on questions; please, come in and ask for help”, Friar said, “We will be able to walk you completely through what you need to do”. Three unsuccessful login attempts are enough to lock someone out. “That information is already done and already filed for a majority of students”. Students can apply online at www.fafsa.gov. Café College is a resource available for students.

Students can do some of their online applications through ACES, she said.

The location is one of 50 sites across the state where students can get help. This will eliminate the need for students and their parents to estimate income information or delay submitting the FAFSA until taxes have been filed. The FAFSA application requires financial information of both the student and the parent, which includes balances in savings and checking accounts. Remember: Even if you think you won’t qualify for need-based financial aid, apply!

Castellano noted that there’s some concern that parents or students could be tempted to procrastinate. Most people, this year, will be able to make use of a “shortcut” offered on the FAFSA, which is the I.R.S. Data Retrieval Tool.

College students and parents should not have to worry about being wrong with their guesstimates. You should also the FAFSA deadline for each school you plan to apply to – some are as early as November 2016.

But that, too, is changing.

It’s important not to inflate your wealth because you don’t know what’s required. For many, that could be a mistake.

Despite its name, the application also is used to determine eligibility for state financial aid, some aid from colleges and some scholarships.

Be aware that if you’re heading to college in 2017, your aid package will be based on your family’s 2015 taxes. Well, it is still possible to file the FAFSA.

The applications will be accepted until June 30, 2018, according to the federal Department of Education.