FINANCIAL AID INFORMATION

Need cash for college? Plan ahead and submit your Free Application for Federal Student Aid, also known as the FAFSA, starting October 1st. It's free, quick and gives you access to the largest source of financial aid to pay for your education.

Changes to the FAFSA^® Process for 2017-18

SUBMIT A FAFSA EARLIER: Students will be able to submit a 2017-18 FAFSA as early as Oct. 1, 2016, rather than beginning on Jan. 1, 2017. The earlier submission date will be a permanent change, enabling students to complete and submit their FAFSAs as early as October 1 every year.

USE EARLIER INCOME AND TAX INFORMATION: Beginning with the 2017-18 FAFSA, students will be required to report income and tax information from an earlier tax year. For example, on the 2017-18 FAFSA, students (and parents, as appropriate) will report their 2015 income and tax information, rather than their 2016 income and tax information.

For more information on the changes, click here.

Here's a summary of key dates for submitting the FAFSA depending on when you plan to go to college:

If you plan to attend college from...	You will submit this FAFSA	You can submit the FAFSA from...	Using income and tax information from...
July 1, 2016 - June 30, 2017	2016-17	January 1, 2016 - June 30, 2017	2015
July 1, 2017 - June 30, 2018	2017-18	October 1, 2016 - June 30, 2018	2015
July 1, 2018 - June 30, 2019	2018-19	October 1, 2017 - June 30, 2019	2016

Resource: U.S. Department of Education, Federal Student Aid

Here are some resources to help you get started:

STEPS TO APPLY

LEARN HOW TO FILL OUT THE FASFA

CREATE YOUR OWN FEDERAL STUDENT AID ID (FSA ID) - The FSA ID is your electronic passport to federal student aid online.

GET HELP PAYING FOR COLLEGE

COMPLETE YOUR FASFA ONLINE

BASICS ON FINANCIAL AID, GRANTS & SCHOLARSHIPS

COMMUNITY COLLEGE FINANCIAL AID OFFICES