In an effort to promote completion of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) among high school seniors and returning college students, the Missouri Department of Higher Education & Workforce Development (MDHEWD) is launching the Finish Your FAFSA campaign.
The campaign aims to increase overall FAFSA filing in Missouri, bring awareness to common FAFSA errors, and remind students of upcoming financial aid deadlines.
“The FAFSA is the primary application for most forms of federal and state financial aid programs, and some institutional grants and scholarships,” said Zora Mulligan, commissioner of higher education. “This campaign is about awareness. We hope to remind students that filing is the first step, but checking to make sure everything is accurate is just as important.”
Errors can prevent the application from being processed correctly, leaving students without the financial aid they may need to enroll.
Many students mistype their Social Security number, birthdate, or even forget to sign the application before submitting it. Students are encouraged to review their Student Aid Report to check for mistakes that may need correcting.
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The priority deadline for the Access Missouri Grant Program – the state’s largest student financial aid program – is quickly approaching. Students must complete the FAFSA by Monday, Feb. 1, to be guaranteed a grant award if they meet all eligibility requirements.
Students completing the FAFSA after Feb. 1 but before the April 1 final deadline could still receive a grant if funding is available. However, early submission of the FAFSA is encouraged because funds are limited. The grant is the state’s only student aid program based on financial need.
More than 43,000 Missouri students received funding through the program during the 2019-20 academic year.
Students can file the FAFSA online at https://fafsa.ed.gov/ or by downloading the new myStudentAid mobile app.
Need assistance completing your FAFSA or help with finding a training program? Contact your local Job Center today.