On Jan. 15, Ohio University students will be expected to turn in the FAFSA to receive federal aid — an entire two months earlier than in previous years.
The earlier deadline would allow students to use income from two years prior, simplifying the process for students, Valerie Miller, director of Student Financial Aid and Scholarships, said in a previous Post report.
“By opening it months earlier, they move to something called prior-prior year income, which means that you use two years prior income when completing the FAFSA,” Miller said. “Since the tax year would have been closed, that population availability of the data would already be present.”
Not every student was happy with the change. Rebecca Gianetti, a sophomore studying integrated science education, noted the change could bring trouble for students whose circumstances have changed.
“It may help some people, but it could be inconvenient for others,” she said. “If your income from two years ago was lower, it could really help you get financial aid that you may not need. But if it was higher then and now your parents are out of a job, it could really put you in a bad position.”
According to the U.S. Department of Education's website, there is no option to use income from 2016, even if circumstances have changed.
“You must report your 2015 tax info on the 2017–18 FAFSA,” the report stated. “You do not have the option to report your 2016 tax info.”
In a more recent interview, Miller noted that there are potential complications with the new system, including the possibility of circumstantial changes within two years. Miller said there is a way to notify the FAFSA of a change in income.
“There is a change of income review that can be used when students/families have experienced a job loss or change and/or a loss in another form of income,” Miller said. “First, students should complete the 2017-18 FAFSA with 2015 income information, then a change of income review can be requested. The application will open later this spring semester and will allow a reevaluation based on estimated 2017 income.”
In a previous interview, Jacob Brown, a first-year graduate student studying theater, noted it was difficult to get past year income as an out-of-state student.
"I believe it’s really inconvenient that the FAFSA system is allowing it to go earlier because I can’t get my taxes in from California," Brown said.
Miller said OU awards more than $400 million in student aid and awards each year, though not all of that comes from the federal level.
