Free Application For Student Aid will be changing for students, when applying for the 2017–2018 school year.

In the past, the application was available to students starting Jan. 1. This year however, the application will be available on Oct. 1. This is mainly to help high school seniors, so that they have more time to choose which school they would like to attend, but can affect college students as well.

With this change comes Washburn University’s new priority deadline, normally on Feb. 15, it is now Nov. 15. The second change being made to the FAFSA is the tax information from two years prior to the award year. Those applying for financial aid for the 2017-2018 school year will use their tax information from 2015 instead if 2016.

For Washburn University the priority deadline for scholarships is Dec. 1. Returning students who have received an academic scholarship must complete a Scholarship Renewal Application by Dec. 1, but all other scholarships may renew until Feb. 15, 2017.