FAFSA Week of Action pushes high school seniors to seek financial aid

NORHEAST MISSOURI/SOUTHEAST IOWA — Certain deadlines may have come and gone, but the U.S. Department of Education is still pushing for high school seniors to complete their Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

The agency, along with the Biden Administration, recently designated April 14-19 as the FAFSA Week of Action.

Through this initiative, the department is encouraging everyone from high school counselors and principals to non-profit organizations and other state groups to push students to submit their FAFSA form.

The agency pursued this initiative following the re-structuring of the application, which included removing several questions pertaining to tax information. Applicants can now go through the IRS to plug in their tax info.

Paula Clay, director of outreach with The Missouri Department of Higher Education and Workforce Development says the state of Missouri has extended the deadline to apply for its Access Missouri grant to June 1.

"[The extension is] just so we can make sure that more students get the opportunity to get that aid," says Clay. "So we want to let students know that it's not too late - they still have time to get that FAFSA in."

The MODHEWD has also launched a social media campaign on all of their platforms that builds on their efforts to drive in more submissions, including periodically holding what they call a “FAFSA Frenzy” completion effort.

FAFSA Frenzy allows applicants to schedule short sessions with outreach coordinators if they need help filling out their applications.

Students will still be able to schedule sessions after the Week of Action.

Clay encourages students to visit the "Journey to College" website if they need that help. You can visit the site here.

The department also plans to give out graduation cords to seniors who complete their FAFSA applications to wear as part of their regalia.

"It's a nice little incentive, to recognize their accomplishment of graduating, and also getting their FAFSA done," Clay says.

The Iowa College Access Network is allowing students to make appointments with advisors either in-person or virtually for assistance in filling out their FAFSA. They also offer on-demand assistance, as well as additional tools and resources.

Iowa seniors can get help with their FAFSA application by visiting the ICAN's website here.