Current and prospective college students will now be able to complete and submit their Federal Application for Free Student Aid and California Dream Act applications at an earlier date.
Effective this year, students can turn in their applications as early as Oct. 1, a change from the previous Jan. 1 date.
The FAFSA now obtains income data from the Internal Revenue Service website, which allows applicants the ability to use financial information from the previous year’s tax returns. As a result, students will no longer need to manually input income data.
In a letter on the California Department of Education website, State Superintendent of Public Instruction, Tom Torlakson, said that “the earlier window will provide more time for students and their families to plan and prepare for college.”
Information about the FAFSA and CADAA, including help with completions of the applications, can be obtained at a free Cash for College workshop. Students are encouraged to attend between Oct. 1 and March 2, the deadline to apply for Cal Grants.
Students looking to locate a workshop should visit the Cash for College website, cash4college.com.