Submit the 2017-2018 FAFSA Now
There are two significant changes to the 2017-2018 FAFSA. The first change is the application date rolled back from Jan. 1, 2017 to Oct. 1, 2016. The second change addresses the income and tax information used to complete the FAFSA.
Instead of using the most recently completed tax year, the FAFSA will now use income information from two years prior. For 2017-18, the FAFSA will use 2015 income, the same information used to complete the 2016-17 FAFSA.
What does this mean for you?
- There is NO NEED to wait until Jan. 1 to submit the FAFSA.
- There is NO NEED to estimate 2016 income or wait until you and your parents file 2016 taxes. We won’t even ask for 2016 income.
- The income information you need to submit the 2017-2018 FAFSA is already available.
- The Data Retrieval Tool is ready for you to transfer data from the IRS to the FAFSA.
You already have everything you need! Make sure your FSA ID is handy and file the 2017-18 FAFSA soon. Submit the FAFSA by Thanksgiving if you want to be considered for work study.
We will begin processing applications in November. Using the IRS Data Retrieval Tool will eliminate the need for our office to verify some application information.
There are a number of factors that go in to financial aid awards and the timing of those award notifications, some of which are dependent on Congress and the Minnesota State Legislature. We will begin notifying you of your 17-18 aid eligibility once those pieces are in place and figures are solidified.
If you have questions about the FAFSA, stop by our office in Owens 107, call 218.477.2083, or email us at finaid@mnstate.edu.