Important FAFSA updates for high school seniors
Changes to this year's FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) are causing longer processing times. You may not find out how much financial aid you can get until late spring.
Don't get discouraged! Applying for aid is essential to getting money for college or career training. Remember, more aid is available now than ever before. Stay positive and keep pushing forward!
Good news:
Apply for financial aid today! The new FAFSA has a shorter application.
More money is available to more people with programs like WA Grant and College Bound.
Challenges:
Schools will have to process more applications in less time, so expect financial aid offers to be delayed.
Students whose parents don’t have a social security number are not yet able to apply.
You may need extra help applying if your family owns a farm or didn’t submit taxes in 2022.
You won’t be able to update or correct a submitted FAFSA application until mid-March.
Important tips:
Do not replace FAFSA with WASFA! WASFA is a state aid application for people who are ineligible for federal aid.
If you start a financial aid application and don’t finish within 45 days, you will have to start over.
Most colleges have priority deadlines. Even if you miss them, still apply for financial aid.
You can get help from colleges, your high school counselor, Federal Student Aid, or local/virtual financial aid events! Find more detailed info on the WSAC website.