For college next year, the time to start is now

With the 2016-17 school year just under way, it might seem like piling on to tell students they should be thinking about the 2017-18 year, but that is exactly what high school seniors should be doing if college is in their future.

“The motto is, the earlier the better,” said Wendy Rohleder-Sook, director of financial aid at Fort Hays State University. “That applies to the entire process – application, admissions and financial aid.”

That is especially true this year. Two big changes are going into effect for the gateway to the largest financial aid system in the nation: the Free Application for Federal Student Aid. The initials are pronounced as a word, FAF (rhymes with “staff”)-suh. A completed FAFSA is required for all federal financial aid programs: Grants, of which the Pell Grants are the largest; direct student loans; and federal work study.

“The FAFSA is the application for all of those programs,” said Rohleder-Sook.

The changes can actually make it easier. Previously, said Rohleder-Sook, students could submit the FAFSA beginning on Jan. 1. This year, they can submit beginning Oct. 1, 2016, for the 2017-18 year. But the tax-return requirement on the FAFSA is for the 2015 tax year and not, as would have been the case previously, the 2016 year. Earlier is now easier in that one very important aspect.

Rohleder-Sook emphasized that “early” is important for many reasons. Students need to find out what the scholarship process is for a particular school; what are the deadlines; and what is required (the FAFSA may be required by individual schools and states in their financial aid programs).

The U.S. Department of Education website, studentaid.ed.gov, has a wealth of information as well as the link to fill out the FAFSA, including information on preparing for college, managing loans, what kind of aid is available.

“It is a great comprehensive website,” she said.