‘Now’s the time’: Countdown to complete the FAFSA form

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) – The clock is ticking for college-bound students to submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) application.

The FAFSA filing deadline to remain eligible for the Tennessee Promise scholarship is 11:59 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 1. The Tennessee Hope scholarship application, however, will remain open until Sept. 1.

As of July 12, the Tennessee Higher Education Commission (THEC) reported that 73% of Tennessee Promise scholarship applicants have completed the FAFSA form.

“Our numbers look good,” said Jason Seay, senior director of outreach with the THEC. “I know that there’s a nationwide narrative that FAFSA submissions are down, but we’re essentially two points off year over year from a Tennessee Promise perspective and, honestly, at our historical high in terms of completion.”

Seay said this year’s delayed and revised FAFSA form has posed a lot of challenges, but the extended Aug. 1 deadline has proven to be helpful for many families in the state.

“With any FAFSA timeline, there are families that perhaps forget, perhaps some do put it off until the last minute,” Seay said. “We always like to tell families, if your student’s enrolling in college, and you’ve not done the FAFSA, now’s the time.”

For those still hoping to complete a FAFSA form, you’ll need the following information:

• Social Security Number
• A-Number (if you’re not a U.S. citizen)
• Federal income tax returns, records of child support received; and your current balance of cash, savings, and checking accounts
  • You must provide consent and approval to disclose your federal tax information to be eligible for federal student aid.
• Bank statements and records of investments (if applicable), net worth of investments, businesses and farms
• Records of untaxed income (if applicable)
• An FS A ID (account username and password) to log in to StudentAid.gov and start the FAFSA form electronically

FAFSA is not only a need-based application. Because of the Tennessee Hope scholarship, it’s also merit-based.

“Complete this FAFSA form so that the college can determine your eligibility for federal aid programs, state aid programs, and potentially even institutional aid dollars as well,” Seay said. “Don’t assume you don’t qualify for something. Do the steps that take roughly half an hour to sit down and tackle this application with your son or daughter.”

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If you need extra help completing the FAFSA form, you can attend the following:

• July 31: FAFSA Frenzy Event
  • 4:30 – 6:30 p.m. at the Nashville State Community College (Clarksville Campus)
• Aug. 1: FAFSA Live Student Webinar
  • Online from 5:30 – 6:30 p.m.
  • Complete the registration form before signing on

For more information, visit the College for TN website .

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