October is upon us and that means different things to different people. To me, it means pumpkin spice everything, leaves changing color, brisk days, and completing the FAFSA! That’s right, the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (or FAFSA) is now open for the 2021-2022 Academic Year and we encourage all students to submit a FAFSA as early as possible. Many students have already completed this form, which is fantastic, but many more still need to do so and we’re here to help! 

To start the process, both the student and a parent will need to create FSA IDs, which can be setup at https://fsaid.ed.gov/npas/index.htm. Families will also need Federal income tax forms from 2019 and Missouri State University’s federal school code, which is 002503. Once ready, students will use their FSA ID to access a new 2021-2022 FAFSA online at https://studentaid.gov/h/apply-for-aid/fafsa.

Even if you already have scholarships or you think you won’t qualify for financial aid because of income, our experience has taught us that it’s always worth the time to submit a FAFSA. Sometimes, families are surprised by what they can qualify to receive, but they never know unless the form is submitted. Plus, it’s totally free so there’s nothing to lose!

Missouri State University and the State of Missouri both have a priority submission deadline of February 1, 2021. So, to ensure you maximize your potential aid offer for the 2021-2022 Academic Year be sure to submit your FAFSA between now and February 1, 2021!

(submitted by Rob Moore, Director, Office of Financial Aid)