FAFSA Paperwork for 2017-18 School Year Now Available
For students enrolling in college, applying for financial aid just got a little easier. Starting with the 2017-18 school year, two major changes will impact the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) process.
- FAFSA forms can be filed as early as Oct. 1, 2016, instead of Jan. 1, 2017. In addition to relieving deadline pressure for high school seniors and returning college students, this allows more time to explore financial aid options and meet state and school deadlines. Students and parents are encouraged to utilize this extended period and apply early to increase their chances of securing funding.
- Students (and parents, as appropriate) will be required to report income and tax information from an earlier tax year. For example, on the 2017-18 FAFSA, filers will report their 2015 information. Estimating current-year taxes – and then re-entering the correct numbers at a later time – is now a thing of the past.
“Submitting FAFSA paperwork is a crucial first step for students who need monetary assistance, so we’re glad to see these changes taking effect,” said Ray Larsen, vice president for collective impact at Heart of Florida United Way. “By making the process more user-friendly, more students will be able to achieve access to higher education – and that’s a major goal at United Way.”
Throughout America, there is a need for more awareness about the financial aid process. Locally, fewer than half of all high school seniors completed a FAFSA application last year. In Central Florida alone, that resulted in nearly $17 million in need-based Pell Grants being left on the table.
To combat this problem, in 2014 Heart of Florida United Way launched its “Going to College” program, which uses text messages to help students, parents, guardians and counselors keep track of important financial aid and college-specific deadlines. To learn more, visit www.HFUW.org/going2college.
For additional details on the FAFSA process, including state and school financial aid deadlines, visit www.FAFSA.gov.
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About Heart of Florida United Way
Heart of Florida United Way (HFUW) is Central Florida’s most comprehensive health and human services charity and the largest provider of funds to the region’s most critical health and human service programs. Last year, it raised and managed $26.1 million throughout Orange, Osceola and Seminole counties. HFUW is working to advance the common good by focusing on education, income, health and basic needs. It operates United Way 2-1-1, Central Florida’s information and assistance, crisis, suicide and referral helpline; Volunteer Resource Center; Gifts In Kind Center; Emergency Homelessness Services; and the Ryan White Part B program, which administers more than $2 million to provide HIV/AIDS services and referrals. HFUW impacts more than 600,000 individuals annually through its direct service and funded programs. United Way partners with local businesses, government, other charities to increase awareness of local health and human service issues and to inspire hope, provide options and create possibilities for people in need. Visit www.HFUW.org for more information, or call (407) 835-0900.
