Paying for college is often one of the biggest concerns students and their families have about college. Filling out the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) can ease some of those fears and is an important step in helping finance a college education. It’s also required of all students filing for financial aid and by most colleges for their college scholarships.
The great news is the federal government has made some changes over the last couple of years to improve the system. Those include moving the date students can begin filing to October 1 (you used to have to wait until January) and you can use last year’s tax information instead of waiting until this year’s tax forms are completed.
That means you can file the FAFSA earlier and, in turn, learn what your federal financial aid eligibility is much sooner.
In addition to all that, the government has announced a new app called myStudentAid is now available in the Apple Store and Google Play, making the form available on your phone. If you’ve filled out the form previously, you’ll notice the FAFSA website has changed. That was done to accommodate use on cellphones and tablets.
Everyone is encouraged to file the FAFSA and determine their eligibility for financial aid. Many people are surprised to learn they are, indeed, eligible.
The Financial Aid specialists at Eastern Iowa Community Colleges are more than willing to help students and families navigate the FAFSA process. All three of our colleges are hosting FAFSA nights:
- Tuesday, October 15 at Clinton Community College
- 4 – 6 p.m.
- 1000 Lincoln Blvd. in Clinton, IA
- Wednesday, October 16 at Scott Community College
- 4 – 6 p.m.
- 500 Belmont Rd. in Bettendorf, IA
- Thursday, October 17 at Muscatine Community College
- 4 – 6 p.m.
- 152 Colorado St., Muscatine
- Thursday, November 6 at CCC Maquoketa Center
- 501 W. Washington St., Maquoketa
- 1 -6 p.m.
The sessions are free and open to everyone, regardless of whether they have already committed to attending one of our colleges or are still considering their options.
For more information about the sessions call 1-888-336-3907 or email eiccinfo@eicc.edu.