When completing the current  FAFSA you will be able to use the applicable tax year for that FAFSA. If you use the IRS Data Retrieval Tool (DRT) to transfer your official IRS tax information into the FAFSA, you will reduce errors and speed up completion time.

FILING EARLY IS KEY
We cannot stress enough the importance of filing your FAFSA using correct  tax information as early as you are able. Roughly $150 billion in aid is awarded annually to college students by the Federal government in the form of need-based grants, loans, and work-study funds. If you file your application late, you may risk missing out on certain funds.

UNDERSTANDING PROFESSIONAL JUDGMENTS
If you are currently making much more or much less income that you did in the applicable tax year, then there is a significant difference between your current income and the income reported on your current taxes. We encourage you to reach out to your Financial Aid Office so that we can help review your income changes and determine if Professional Judgment can be used to ensure the financial information on your FAFSA accurately reflects your current financial situation. Keep in mind you will still need to complete the FAFSA with the appropriate tax data. The aid office will guide you through any necessary steps if professional judgment is required.

POSITIVE CHANGES
The FAFSA changes bring advantages for students and parents, who previously may have felt rushed to complete their taxes and to make decisions on which school to attend. These changes mean you can:
• Apply earlier for financial aid via the FAFSA, available Oct. 1, 2016
• Potentially qualify for additional aid due to earlier application
• Have additional time to resolve any income verification requirements

HERE TO SUPPORT YOU
Please reach out to the Financial Aid Office via [phone] or [email] with questions or concerns you may have regarding the upcoming PPY changes. We appreciate that financial aid and the college admissions process can be an emotional time, and we want to make the path as smooth and enjoyable as possible.