Don't Leave Money Unclaimed: File the FAFSA
Filling out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, known as the FAFSA, is a crucial step when applying to college. Students must fill out the application to receive federal financial aid in the form of grants, loans or work-study stipends. The 2021-2022 FAFSA officially opened last week on Oct. 1. The deadline to file the FAFSA is June 30, 2022, but students can – and should – get a head start by filing early, which may be required by certain colleges and may be advantageous to families living in states that distribute aid on a first-come, first-served basis.
Whether your family files the FAFSA shortly after it opens or later on, it's important to do so. A Sallie Mae poll found that only 71% of families filled out the FAFSA for the 2019-2020 school year, possibly leaving much-needed financial aid on the table. Don't miss out – learn more about how to file the FAFSA and why your family should complete the form sooner rather than later.
