Brought to you by WBIW News and Network Indiana
Last updated on Friday, March 3, 2017
(UNDATED) - More than $300 million in state financial aid for college is available this year for Indiana students who qualify for need- and performance-based scholarships.
To receive financial aid, students must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) by Friday, March 10, 2017.
Unfortunately, too many Hoosiers fail to complete the FAFSA--either because they don't know they should, they don't know how or they miss the March 10 deadline.
"Every prospective college student--whether they're a high school senior or a returning adult--should complete the FAFSA," Indiana Commissioner for Higher Education Teresa Lubbers said. "With the FAFSA deadline less than two weeks away, we're encouraging local communities and schools to spread the word and help make sure students submit the FAFSA before the March 10 deadline."
Beyond determining eligibility for state and federal financial aid, colleges use information from the FAFSA to determine their scholarship awards. This deadline is particularly urgent for Indiana's 21st Century Scholars who will not receive their scholarship without submitting an on-time FAFSA.
So far, 35 percent of all Indiana high school seniors have completed the FAFSA--a significant increase compared to 20 percent of high school seniors having filed by this time a year ago. Building on this momentum, the Indiana Commission for Higher Education is continuing outreach in partnership with local schools, colleges and community organizations to remind students and families of the looming deadline.
Filing the FAFSA
The fastest and easiest way to file the FAFSA is online at www.fafsa.gov. To complete the FAFSA, you will need: 1) Your Social Security Number; 2) Your 2015 federal income tax returns, W-2s, and other records of money earned; and 3) An FSA ID to sign electronically. NOTE: Dependent students need this same information for their parent(s). The U.S. Department of Education provides email and live chat assistance for FAFSA filers as well as a helpline at 1-800-4FED-AID.
More FAFSA Help for Hoosiers
Hoosier families can find FAFSA-related help via phone at 1-888-528-4719, email (awards@che.in.gov), Twitter (twitter.com/learnmorein) Facebook (facebook.com/learnmorein), or online at LearnMoreIndiana.org/cost.
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