Pandemic makes filing early for financial aid advisable
October 13th, 2020Families applying for need-based financial aid can begin completing FAFSA forms (Free Application for Federal Student Aid). As you’ll read in the New York Times article below, this year it could be more important than ever to file early, especially for families with changed economic circumstances due to the pandemic.
The new FAFSA requires tax information from 2019 but due to the economic shift many families are experiencing, additional materials may be required to show a change in your financial situation.
Every college provides comprehensive information about the financial aid application process on its website. Please review these sites with care to determine which additional materials each college requires, such as CSS Profile or institutional addenda.
Article referenced below from The New York Times, published September 25, 2020, written by Ann Carrns
It’s especially important to apply early for financial aid this year, college experts say, because many families have suffered economically during the coronavirus pandemic and may have to take extra steps to qualify for maximum help.
That means families should complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid — the form known as FAFSA — as soon as they can. The form is a major gateway for financial help from the federal government, as well as from many states and colleges. The FAFSA for the 2021-22 academic year is available starting Thursday.
