The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (known as the FAFSA) is a form that current and prospective college students (undergraduate and graduate) use to determine their eligibility for student financial aid.

There are two major changes to this program:

1. The 2017–18 FAFSA will be available earlier. The 2017–18 FAFSA can be filed as early as October 1, 2016, rather than beginning on January 1, 2017. The earlier submission date will be a permanent change.
2. FAFSA will accept earlier income and tax information. Beginning with the 2017–18 FAFSA, the program will request the 2015 income and tax information, rather than the 2016 information.