State extends FAFSA deadline to April 18

The Indiana Commission for Higher Education has extended the filing deadline for the 2022-23 Free Application for Federal Student Aid to April 18.

The state’s original deadline of April 15 is a state holiday and state offices will be closed. Financial aid funding will only be available on a first-come, first-served basis following the April 18 extension. Students and families should submit the form at fafsa.gov as soon as possible to ensure maximum consideration.

Students need to complete the federal form to be eligible for most financial aid. State financial aid programs, such as the 21st Century Scholarship and Workforce Ready Grant, require students to have a current FAFSA on file in order to maintain their scholarship and grant funding.

The number of Hoosiers filing a FAFSA has steadily declined over the past several years, according to a news release from the commission. The overall filing rate as of March 18 is down 15.2% from the same date in 2021. For the state’s high school Class of 2022, the number of filings is down nearly 3%. Each year, Hoosiers who don’t file the FAFSA miss out on millions in federal financial aid.

The commission, in partnership with INvestEd, will hold a Facebook Live event from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. April 13 to inform families about the FAFSA and answer frequently asked questions live at facebook.com/learnmorein.

The commission also will be hosting live FAFSA events around the state. A calendar of events is available at learnmoreindiana.org.

Information: Visit in.gov/che or call 317-715-9007