Important FAFSA changes for 2017-18 academic year

Students at Elgin Community College and other colleges and universities will now be able to complete their Free Application for Federal Student Aid three months earlier. The change, which took effect Oct. 1, was a result of a policy action announced by President Barack Obama in September 2015.

The change, which is permanent, means students can file a 2017-18 FAFSA beginning Oct. 1 rather than Jan. 1. The action is being done to align the admission process.

"The earlier start date to apply for FAFSA also could help students who are comparing award letters from several colleges that they are considering attending," said Mary Crowe, manager of financial aid and scholarships.

In order to accommodate this earlier filing schedule, the FAFSA will collect income information from two years prior to the academic year for which the aid is intended. For example, with the 2017-18 FAFSA, students (and parents) will report their 2015 income information.

To make filing the 2017-18 FAFSA easier, applicants can use the IRS Data Retrieval Tool to insert any pertinent data from the 2015 tax return. Instructions can be found at studentaid.ed.gov/sa/fafsa/filling-out#irs-drt.

ECC students who submit their 2017-18 FAFSA and required documents by July 1, 2017, will be awarded prior to the 2017 fall semester. Students will receive written notification from ECC regarding what documents are required to complete their FAFSA.

Award letters are no longer mailed but can be found on the student portal.

For more information, contact the Financial Aid and Scholarships Office at (847) 214-7360.