Time Running Out to File for College Financial Aid

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—or the FAFSA—by Thursday, March 10, 2016.

Unfortunately, too many students fail to complete the FAFSA—either because they don’t know they should, they don’t know how or they miss the deadline. 

“High school seniors and current college students—whether they believe they qualify for financial aid or not—should complete the FAFSA,” Indiana Commissioner for Higher Education Teresa Lubbers said. “With the FAFSA deadline less than two weeks away, we’re encouraging high schools, colleges, parents and communities to help spread the word and make sure current and potential students complete the form before the March 10 deadline.” 

Beyond determining 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 as they will not receive their scholarship without an on-time FAFSA.

This year, FAFSA completion numbers are trailing 2015 completion levels.

So far 20 percent of all Indiana high school seniors have completed the FAFSA—compared to 30 percent of high school seniors in 2015. Furthermore, only 25 percent of 21st Century Scholars who are high school seniors have completed the FAFSA. The Indiana Commission for Higher Education is contacting students and families, high schools and colleges—to remind them of the looming deadline.

Students, parents and educators can submit FAFSA-related questions via phone at 1-888-528-4719, email (awards@che.in.gov), Twitter (twitter.com/learnmorein) or Facebook (facebook.com/learnmorein).

For more helpful information on the FAFSA and other financial aid resources and tips, access the cost section of Learn More Indiana’s website at LearnMoreIndiana.org/cost. The site offers free tools and advice for K-12 students, current college students and returning adult students—including the Indiana College Costs Estimator. Learn how you can prepare to pay at LearnMoreIndiana.org.