Get Help Paying for College: Fill Out Your FAFSA Application now

The U.S. Department of Education announced that they are launching this year?s Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) early this year on October 1st, instead of the traditional January 1st date. {{more:Read more …}}

This may have caught parents and students who are planning to attend school next fall (2017-18 school year) by surprise but it more in align with the application process that many colleges and universities use. FAFSA

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The FAFSA is needed to determine eligibility for financial aid. By not applying, students miss out on federal, state and school financial aid, including student loans, scholarships, work-study and grants.

According to the news release the application process has also been streamlined with added connection with resources such as the College Scoreboard which helps with the college decision process. It also allows flexibility in using tax return information.

What does it mean ?

• The applications process has been moved up three months to October 1. This will be the new day for this year and all future deadlines.

• A tax return that is up to two years before the aid year the application can be used. This means tax returns for 2015 or 2016 tax information can be used for this FAFSA application.

• FAFSA is a first-come, first-serve system so it is important to apply before money runs out. FAFSA

  application

• You have to apply every year.

• For all first-time college students, make sure you list all the colleges you are applying too, that way you can save your spot in line for financial aid once you choose a school.

• Take time to fill out every section carefully; missed or incorrect information can affect the amount you receive in aid.

Texans leave money on the table every year …

 

An estimated 70 percent of college students get or eligible for some kind of federal financial aid and it all starts with the FAFSA application.

 

According to Anna Helhoski, NerdWallet, more than half of Texas high school students did not complete or submit the free application for federal student aid (2014). Nationwide the completion rate is 55%. NerdWallett