Even though we’re still in the heat of summer, we are already planning for the future. And we’re encouraging our students to do the same. There are important changes coming for the 2017-18 academic year that students need to know about this year.
In September of 2015, President Obama passed an executive action that will allow students to use Prior-Prior Year (PPY) tax information to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and the Washington Application for State Financial Aid (WASFA) in preparation for the 2017-2018 Academic Year.
Using two-years prior tax information on the FAFSA/WASFA (as opposed to one-year prior information) will make the application process more straight-forward, convenient and in most situations, give students and their families an earlier and more accurate idea of their anticipated financial aid and college costs.
Important Financial Aid Deadlines
Of course, this is a welcome change here at WSU! However, it will create some changes for our students and families in terms of when they should complete the FAFSA/WASFA process and the other necessary steps to receive financial aid.
These are the important dates and WSU Filing Deadlines to know and share with students:
- The 2017-18 FAFSA/WASFA open for completion on October 1, 2016.
- The priority filing deadline for RETURNING WSU students will be November 30, 2016. For NEW WSU students, the priority deadline will be January 31, 2017. These are new dates!
- Students and families will use their 2015 tax information to complete the 2017-18 FAFSA/WASFA.
- The WSU General Scholarship Application deadline will be January 31, 2017.
Find more information about the new financial aid application process here. Also, please feel free to contact us by phone at 509-335-9711 or by email at financialaid@wsu.edu if you have questions or concerns.
