Dear Seniors & Parents
I have been meeting one on one with seniors to help them plan for life after graduation. It is one of my favorite things to do as a high school counselor. There are many directions to look and I want to help in any way so that your senior feels successful and help equip you to support them for life after high school.
One of the confusing and scary parts of it is filing FAFSA. I recommend that all college bound students apply and that you do this as soon as you can. This year there have been massive changes in the FAFSA form and filing requirements as well as timelines which will make it harder to navigate and will generate many questions from families. In hopes to help you, and learn about it myself, I have invited a representative from ICAN to come and help us on Oct 25th to present on Paying for College and create a FAFSA ID with Easton Valley families. The FAFSA Event will be during our Parent Teacher Conference time and be held in the commons area. Below is the schedule for the night.
3:30-4:30 FSA ID EVENT - Sign up ahead of time on a link
5:00-6:00 Paying for College Presentation (Seniors & Parents should attend)
6:00-7:00 FSA ID EVENT-SIgn up ahead of time on a link
The FAFSA ID Event times will be a lab style 5 families every half hour. Time slots will be sent out for you to sign up ahead of time in a link.
Here are just some of the important changes you will need to know.
FAFSA ID’s must be set up at least 5 days before filing
Changes to qualify for Future Ready Iowa Last Dollar Scholarship
New name for Expected Family Contribution
Less aid for multiple children in college
Changes in Reportable income
Changes in which parent completes FAFSA in a divorced or separated family
Filing Date has yet to be announced. (I am hearing early December but may
be as late as January.) Regent Iowa College priority deadline is Feb 1.
I will be sending out very soon what to bring to this event and the link to sign up. I strongly recommend everyone that is planning to file FAFSA to hear these updates and create a pin that evening. We will get through this together.
Careyanne Wood 7-12 School Counselor