GREENSBORO, N.C. — This year’s FAFSA form is redesigned. The website calls it a “better form”. There are 60 fewer questions than in previous years. But what was supposed to alleviate frustration for parents and students, is now causing a problem.
"As universities of higher education, we all need the data from the FAFSA to even offer anything to students. To tell students, 'Hey, this is what you can get to help pay for school.' But right now it is up in the air because we can't give that to students yet, said Taylor Jones, Interim Associate Director of Financial Aid, IU South Bend.
To make it very clear, colleges won't start receiving student's financial aid data from FAFSA until March. That's usually when the financial award letters are out to students so they can make those “where will I go to school” decisions.
But with the school's delay, it could be April before students know anything.
"I know there is some frustration, especially from newer students if they are trying to decide on where they are going to go. They are reaching out saying, 'Hey, I filled out my FAFSA do you know what my aid is going to look like?' And we don't have an answer yet because we don't have the data yet,” said Jones.
If you haven’t filled out your FAFSA forms yet, know that there are federal deadlines, state deadlines, and school deadlines.
The North Carolina FAFSA page shows the UNC-system schools have a June 1, 2024 deadline, Community Colleges have August 15, 2024, while the Federal deadline is June 30, 2024.
You don’t want to wait until the deadlines to apply, those who file early often qualify for more grants and scholarships. state grants are often awarded on a first-come, first-served basis.