Apply for financial aid starting Oct. 1

Published 1:30 pm Friday, September 30, 2016

A new start date to apply for financial aid for the 2017-18 school year has arrived and will begin Oct. 1.

This date is a full three months earlier than in years past. The new start date is one of two changes to the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The second change lets students import their 2015 tax returns to answer income questions.

U.S. citizens or eligible non-citizens can file the FAFSA. Those unable to file the FAFSA due to immigration status can file a Washington Application for State Financial Aid.