Attention high school and college students, and their parents: FAFSA applications are due by June 30th.

You must complete and submit a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to apply for federal student aid and to apply for most state and college aid. You must also reapply every year for continued aid. Even families that believe their income is too high to qualify for grants and other aid should file a FAFSA to maximize their college dollars.

Starting with the 2017­–18 FAFSA, the following changes have been put in place: 

• Students are now able to submit a FAFSA earlier, starting October 1st, 2016, rather than beginning in January 2017. This earlier submission date is a permanent change.
• Students now report earlier income information. Beginning with the 2017–18 FAFSA, students are required to report income information from an earlier tax year. For example, on the 2017–18 FAFSA, students (and parents, as appropriate) must report their 2015 income information, rather than their 2016 income information.  

The most efficient way to file is online at www.fafsa.ed.gov. To save time, click here for a 2017-18 worksheet which will help you gather all the necessary information beforehand. If filing online, you will need a four digit PIN to "electronically" sign the FAFSA, which you can get by going to www.pin.ed.gov. Click on “Apply for PIN” at the bottom of the page.

To read more about FAFSA changes, visit studentaid.ed.gov/sa/about/announcements/fafsa-changes. Speak with a high school guidance counselor or college financial aid representative if you need additional help.