Close up of federal financial aid application Getty Images. Photo by Richard Stephens via iStock / Getty Images Plus
The end of a tumultuous year for student aid is coming to a close as deadlines for the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or FAFSA, are set to pass next week.
The 2024-2025 FAFSA, which covers the 2024-25 school year through June 30, 2025, had a rough start in its Dec. 30 soft launch then full opening in early January, when in the past it would open to students in the fall.
This created a time crunch for families hoping to meet priority deadlines for financial aid, and many schools have to adjust their schedule for releasing awards to students. However, the changes to the form made it simpler and quicker to fill out, University of Northern Iowa Director of Financial Aid Tim Bakula said in a previous interview.
Further delays in getting FAFSA results to colleges and universities caused financial aid departments to begin sending out financial aid packages to students almost half a year behind schedule. Many of the forms also held incorrect data due to changes in how tax information was included, making universities have to send them back for corrections.
Now, schools are still working to provide students with award packages as Iowa’s July 1 deadline closes in. Financial aid officials are still encouraging students to file their FAFSA ahead of the deadline, saying it’s worth it to learn what sort of aid is available even with the issues and delays.
Certain state scholarships and grants also require a student’s FAFSA to be filed by a certain date. The Iowa Tuition Grant, which provides up to $7,500 for four years to students with a financial need going to one of the state’s private colleges, requires that applicants have the FAFSA filed by July 1.
Some other state financial aid with July 1 deadlines include the Iowa Workforce Grant, Iowa Vocational-Technical Tuition Grant and Iowa Skilled Workforce Shortage Tuition Grant.
The Future Ready Iowa Last-Dollar Scholarship, which provides funds to fill the gap between any aid and the remaining cost of tuition and fees, has a FAFSA deadline of July 15.
Drake University Financial Aid Director Ryan Zantingh said if students and families have any questions or need assistance with the FAFSA or other aspects of financing a college degree, they should contact their school’s financial aid office for help.
“If families are struggling with … how to put together a plan to pay, they (should) certainly reach out to their financial aid office,” Vantingh said. “That’s why we’re here, trying to help make sure that families understand all their costs, understand their options.”
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