The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FASFA) is a form completed by current and prospective college students in the United States to determine their eligibility for student financial aid. All seniors are required to fill out FASFA to graduate high school.
FASFA is changing its form for the first time in over 40 years. Due to these changes, the release date has been moved to Dec. 31 instead of Oct. 1. The delay is a result of the revamp of the federal form.
“The form is due March 15 for the Texas priority deadline,” College, Career and Military Readiness Adviser Cenee Precure said. “FASFA staff has said it will be in the student’s best interest to have it [the FAFSA] completed by Feb. 15 because this time frame is your best chance to get the most money this year.”
Precure said the new application process will be timesaving and easier for students to complete. It will feature new terminology, fewer questions and requirements. She also said students need to avoid typical mistakes like wrong spellings or incorrect information to avoid locking the account.
“We are meeting with seniors and doing the FSA ID,” Precure said. “You have to have the FSA ID before you can ever log into the form. The FSA ID takes about three to five days to process so we want to do that before the holidays so that if you get the opportunity you can sit down with your parents and complete it. Parents also have to have their FSA ID to do the form.”
On Feb. 1, Canyon ISD is holding a “Financing Your Future” event for seniors and parents. It is a come and go event from 4:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Happy State Bank Stadium. West Texas A&M University, Amarillo College, Wayland Baptist University and more will be in attendance with their scholarship programs.
Financial aid offers are expected to begin in late March 2024. Next year the release date will be moved back to Oct. 1.
The founder of College Career Military Ready (CCMR), Sarah Thrash, has resources for all high school students on her website. Information on local scholarships were shared through email from Precure Monday.
