The busiest time of the year is just around the corner. Before the hustle and bustle of the holiday season begins, take time to submit your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The 2022-23 FAFSA opened Oct. 1, which means many students have already had the chance to successfully submit their application. Now is the time to successfully submit yours! This application allows the financial aid office at your chosen college(s) to determine your eligibility to receive many types of financial aid. While some aid does not run out, other types are awarded on a first-come, first-served basis. If you submit your FAFSA too late, you may miss out on important funding. There are a few other significant reasons to submit your FAFSA now:
- Many colleges and universities are setting early enrollment and institutional scholarship deadlines in November and December. During the application process, they’ll want to know if you’ve submitted your FAFSA.
- It’s not uncommon for a scholarship committee to ask for a copy of your Student Aid Report (SAR), which you receive after you submit the FAFSA. Completing your FAFSA early ensures that you won’t miss important deadlines.
- It’s better to complete the FAFSA now so you can focus on other college planning tasks in the spring.
- Since you’ll need to submit the FAFSA each year you’re in college, completing your application now allows you to become familiar with the FAFSA form for next year. If you’re in high school, take this time to ask questions about the application process with your parents and school counselor so you’ll know what to expect next fall.
Don’t wait any longer. Complete your FAFSA today at StudentAid.gov.