Published: Oct. 12, 2016

A new timeline that听eliminates听the rush to file taxes: that鈥檚 the quickest way to explain the updates for financial aid for the 2017-18 academic year.

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) has made two big changes to help students and their parents complete the application. First, it听uses听tax information from two听years ago instead of last year 鈥 that way, families will not be held up from applying for aid while they file and the IRS processes their tax return. For most people, it also means that they can use the IRS Data Retrieval Tool which transfers tax information from the IRS database to the application.

Since families don鈥檛 have to wait to file taxes 鈥 why wait to apply? The FAFSA for the 2017-18 academic year opened Oct.听1, three months prior to its usual open date. This second change helps incoming students the most. Apply now and they will get a better idea of their financial aid eligibility before they decide which college to attend.

What if your 2015 tax information doesn鈥檛 accurately reflect your current financial standing? It鈥檚 a questions that most financial aid offices are preparing to answer as this new season of applicants begins. And the answer is: CU 麻豆影院鈥檚 Office of Financial Aid will consider a families current financial situation.

鈥淎pply now with your 2015 tax information and let us ask you if we need any additional information,鈥 advises Deputy Director of Financial Aid Ofelia Morales. 鈥淵ou won鈥檛 need your 2016 tax information until you apply for 2018-19 aid. And remember - We鈥檙e here to help.鈥

More information about these changes are online at .听