Is the the government shutdown affecting FAFSA? – WTVG
TOLEDO, Ohio (WTVG) – The Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or FAFSA, is a critical component when it comes to college scholarships. So what, if any, impact does the federal government shutdown have on the process?
Experts say the bottom line is that without filing a FAFSA application, you’re not eligible for scholarship money. And just because there’s a government shutdown, this is no time to panic or procrastinate.
“We are a non-profit, so we never charge students or their families,” Bob Savage, the founder and president of Toledo Tomorrow, said.
The Toledo-based organization is focused on creating college and career access for local students.
“Working primarily with high school students to help them get wherever they want to go after graduation, whether that’s college or a career tech job. The cost of college is not going down,” Savage said. “Our goal is to help students get as much aid as they can get.”
A big part of the work involves helping students and their families with the FAFSA process.
“It is the online form you must fill out to receive any scholarship to college, no matter what kind of scholarship, athletics included,” Savage said.
Savage said there have been improvements to the system in the last couple of years and it’s a shorter process.
“Another change in FAFSA aid this year is that the aid is eligible for career/trade school, so it’s expanded beyond traditional college, what the money is there for,” Savage said.
And Savage says it’s an effort that pays off.
“If you look at it as a dollar per hour job, it’s the best one you’ll ever have. We helped connect students in the county to north of $5 million in scholarships for the class of 2025,” Savage said.
Some have wondered what, if any, impact the government shutdown will have on the FAFSA process.
“The one thing we always tell students is the earlier they get it done, the better. No need to wait. The online portal works. It may tell you there is a delay, but if it lets you, do it. There are deadlines coming up, some big ones are on Nov. 1. So don’t wait,” Savage said.
Savage says the FAFSA window is open for next spring and fall. Last year alone, Toledo Tomorrow helped 2,500 students around northwest Ohio. 1,600 of them from the City of Toledo.
If you’d like to learn more about getting help from Toledo Tomorrow or the FAFSA process, click here.
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