Time Running Out To File FAFSA & Claim Financial Aid

Virtual events are being held to help students file before April 15.

(Indianapolis, Ind.) - File the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) before Indiana’s April 15, 2021 deadline or risk losing out on millions of dollars in state and federal financial aid. That’s the message the Indiana Commission for Higher Education is sending students and families across the state with one month left to file the 2021-22 FAFSA.

Filing the FAFSA is an important step in the postsecondary enrollment process for all Hoosier students and families—despite socioeconomic status. Having a current FAFSA on file ensures college is as affordable as possible and opens opportunities for federal, state and institutional financial aid.

It is free to file the FAFSA online at www.FAFSA.gov or even via mobile phone. Today, the form can be pre-populated with 2019 tax information, making it even easier for families to navigate the process.

Unfortunately, FAFSA filing rates are lagging nationally compared to last year; the story is no different in Indiana. About 10 percent fewer FAFSAs have been filed by Indiana’s 2021 high school graduating class so far this year. More troubling, the filing rate is down about 20 percent for low-income students—those who stand to benefit the most from financial aid—in the same cohort.

“Fewer students filing the FAFSA is a serious concern for Indiana. We have been working for decades to make college as affordable as possible for Hoosier students and families. We have made great strides in this area, but we need Hoosiers to take action and not leave money for financial aid on the table,” said Indiana Commissioner for Higher Education Teresa Lubbers.

Indiana has been working in partnership with organizations around the state to emphasize the message of filing the FAFSA before the April 15 deadline and has a staff of dedicated outreach members working with students and families in virtual and safe in-person settings where possible.

The Commission, in partnership with INvestEd, is hosting two upcoming virtual FAFSA filing sessions to assist even more students and families via social media platforms, manned by Commission staff members to answer common FAFSA questions live.

WHAT:    Indiana FAFSA Virtual Events

WHO:     Indiana Commission for Higher Education Outreach staff and INvestEd team members

WHEN:   Saturday, March 27, 2021

               12-1 p.m. (ET)

                Tuesday, April 13, 2021

                6:30-7:30 p.m. (ET)

WHERE: Online: Learn More Indiana social media accounts on Facebook, Instagram  and Twitter

By text and phone: To best serve the state, the Commission has outreach members dedicated to eight regions of Indiana. A full list of counties and associated numbers is available at www.learnmoreindiana.org. Reach INvestEd any time at (317) 715-9007 for free assistance with the FAFSA. 

Note: Do not share your Social Security Number or other private information over social media. Please be patient during the event; if you cannot get ahold of someone by phone, leave a voicemail and they will return your call as soon as possible.

Information needed to file the FAFSA

• Federal Student Aid ID (the FSA ID is a username and password created through the FAFSA website)
• Social Security number
• Driver’s license number
• Student and parents’ or guardians’ 2019 federal tax returns (IRS forms 1040, 1040EZ or 1040A); students under age 23 require a parents’ or guardians’ information in addition to their own
• Records of money earned, including W-2 forms and recent bank statements
• Alien registration numbers or permanent residence cards (if students or parents/guardians are not U.S. citizens).