Optimist
  • News
  • Sports
  • Opinion
    • Columns
    • Editorials
    • Letters to the Editor
  • Features
    • Book Review
  • Multimedia
    • Photo Galleries
    • Videos
  • Police Log
  • Print Edition
  • Projects
  • Classifieds
  • About
    • Advertise
    • Policies
    • Staff Contacts
    • Jobs
You are here: Home / News / FAFSA applications open for financial aid

FAFSA applications open for financial aid

November 18, 2016 by Max Preston

FAFSA applications for the 2017-2018 academic school year are now open and can be filled out for possible financial aid.

The federal government made the decision to open up the 2017-2018 Free Application for Federal Student Aid earlier than in previous years because they now require information from 2015 tax returns instead of waiting for the students’ 2016 tax returns. 

“We don’t have to wait for last year’s taxes to get filed because they are usually already filed from the previous year,” said student services specialist Jacob Crabtree. “It smoothens out the whole process; we don’t have to cram a whole lot of applications into a shorter time.”

Crabtree said a lot of applications have already been filled out and the financial aid employees have already started looking over the FAFSAs that have been turned in.

There are no guarantees that students will hear back quickly or receive their package shortly after they submit their application. However, the financial aid staff is able to get the results back to students who have filled out the FAFSA early in a timely manner.

Although students can use their filed taxes from the previous year, it is encouraged that they keep up with their present financial situations just in case there is a drastic change in the next year, said assistant director of the Depot, Carolina Witcher.

“With such a large gap between when they are filing their FAFSA and their taxes, there might be significant differences,” said Witcher. “We have an application students can fill out if that is the scenario, and they should also set up a meeting with their counselor.”

Graduate students are also eligible to fill out the FAFSA early, and financial aid pertains to them just as it does to undergraduates.

“Graduate students are able to do the FAFSA as well,” said Witcher. “Typically, it would only require their own tax information. It is not going to require the parents.”

The FAFSA website says that this is the earliest the application has ever opened and also notes that some states and schools have limited funds and students should fill it out as soon as possible.

Filed Under: News

Other News:

  • Arch apartments receive complaints from students, issues with communication, maintenance

  • Undergraduate Research, Creativity and Innovation Festival accepting abstracts for presentations until Friday

  • Annual Lunar New Year celebration held by ASO

About Max Preston

Max Preston is a senior convergence journalism major from Amarillo.

I wouldn’t be the sports director if I didn’t love sports. I’m involved in Galaxy social club and like being social. I’m here for a good time not a long time.

You are here: Home / News / FAFSA applications open for financial aid

Other News:

  • Arch apartments receive complaints from students, issues with communication, maintenance

  • Undergraduate Research, Creativity and Innovation Festival accepting abstracts for presentations until Friday

  • Annual Lunar New Year celebration held by ASO

Follow us online

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Optimist on Twitter

acuoptimist The Optimist @acuoptimist ·
2 Feb

BREAKING: Campus will be operating remotely in the morning. Any classes after 1 p.m. will be in person.

Reply on Twitter 1620939263557734401 Retweet on Twitter 1620939263557734401 Like on Twitter 1620939263557734401 Twitter 1620939263557734401
acuoptimist The Optimist @acuoptimist ·
31 Jan

BREAKING: Campus will continue operating remotely Wednesday due to continued icy conditions.

Reply on Twitter 1620523455421779970 Retweet on Twitter 1620523455421779970 Like on Twitter 1620523455421779970 1 Twitter 1620523455421779970

Optimist on Facebook

The Optimist

5 days ago

The Optimist
ACU’s Alpha Psi Omega chapter raised money for the Living Waters Charity by putting on a show in the span of 24 hours. See more photos from our gallery: ... See MoreSee Less

Gallery: 24-Hour Musical tells the heartwarming story of Junie B. Jones - Optimist

acuoptimist.com

ACU’s Alpha Psi Omega chapter raised money for the Living Waters Charity by putting on a show in the span of 24 hours. This year, the department chose to perform the beloved children’s musical “...
View on Facebook
· Share

Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linked In Share by Email

The Optimist

1 week ago

The Optimist
Greek Life has started a partnership with Campus Director, a software company that works with universities all over the country. Read more: ... See MoreSee Less

Student life implements new software, updates rushing process - Optimist

acuoptimist.com

Greek Life has started a partnership with Campus Director, a software company that works with universities all over the country. The Campus Director software has an algorithm programmed to match rushe...
View on Facebook
· Share

Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linked In Share by Email

Videos

Optimist Newscast Jan. 25, 2023

Tune in to this week's newscast for a look at Greek Life rushing, the annual ... [Read More…]

  • Women’s tournament run ended by first-round exit against UTRGV
  • Optimist Newscast Feb. 22. 2022
  • Optimist Newscast 2.16.2022

Latest Photos

  • Home
  • Podcasts

© 2023 ACU Optimist · All Rights Reserved