Some Iowa students are feeling stressed as they continue to wait for the results of their Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or FAFSA, forms in the midst of graduation season. A new FAFSA form was released this year to make it easier for families to apply. But it wasn’t published until December 31, almost three months after its usual October opening. Norwalk High School Counselor Sarah Adams said she has impacted many students who rely on money to make their college decisions. “Part of it comes down to ‘How much money can I get to pay for school?'” she said. “Because for some, that’s the only way to make it.” Due to tight deadlines, fewer forms have been submitted. In late March, the Iowa Department of Education said it had about 20,000 applications from Iowa students, up from 80,000 at that time in 2023. As of Tuesday, a total of 78,000 applications had been received. That’s still down from the roughly 90,000 that showed up last year. However, Adams said this should only be a one-year issue for students. “Hopefully all the issues have been resolved and going forward things will be a lot easier for everyone involved,” she said. Adams says the form should be available again in October of this coming year. “She hopes the additional time to complete it will alleviate many of this year’s problems.” Download the free KCCI app to get updates on the go: Apple | Google PlayGet the latest headlines from KCCI
NORWALK, Iowa—
Some Iowa students are feeling stressed as they continue to wait for the results of their Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or FAFSA, forms in the midst of graduation season.
A new FAFSA form was released this year to make it easier for families to apply. But it didn’t launch until December 31, almost three months after its usual October opening.
Norwalk High School counselor Sarah Adams said this has affected many students who rely on money to make their college decisions.
“Part of it comes down to ‘How much money can I get to pay for school?'” he said. “Because for some, that’s the only way to make it.”
Due to tight deadlines, fewer forms have been submitted. In late March, the Iowa Department of Education said it had about 20,000 applications from Iowa students, up from 80,000 at that time in 2023.
As of Tuesday, a total of 78,000 applications had been received. That’s still down from the roughly 90,000 that showed up last year. However, Adams said this should only be a one-year issue for students.
“Hopefully all the problems have been resolved and that, in the future, everything will be much easier for everyone involved,” he said.
Adams says the form should be available again in October of next year. She hopes the additional time to complete it will alleviate many of this year’s problems.
» Download the free KCCI app to get updates on the go: apple | Google Play
Get the latest headlines from KCCI
Keynote USA
For the Latest Local News, Follow @Keynote USA Local on Twitter.