IDAHO, USA — The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) application deadline was extended to March 31 for students that are also applying for the Idaho Opportunity Scholarship. However, the application deadline for the Opportunity Scholarship remains the same, which is March 1.
The Office of the State Board of Education said in a news release that the FAFSA deadline was extended because students were having difficulties with the new, shorter version of the free application, which was modified by the U.S. Department of Education in an effort to simplify the process.
"While the FAFSA deadline has been extended, we strongly encourage students to complete their applications both for the Opportunity Scholarship and for FAFSA as soon as they can," said Sara Scudder, the Board's College and Career Access Officer.
The FAFSA is required for Idaho Opportunity Scholarship eligibility, but the scholarship is not required for the FAFSA.
Application(s) guidelines/deadlines:
- March 1 - Idaho Opportunity Scholarship deadline
- Students must submit their Idaho Opportunity Scholarship application to the State Board office by March 1 in order to be eligible for the scholarship.
- Scholarship applicants must also apply for the FAFSA.
- March 31 - FAFSA (for Idaho Opportunity Scholarship applicants ONLY)
- The U.S. Department of Education will not make student FAFSA information available to state agencies and higher education institutions until mid-March and so the timeline for scholarship awards will be tight, the department stated.
"Students should reach out to their school counselors and learn about FAFSA application support events in their local communities."
"State Board staff will be working diligently to make Opportunity Scholarship award offers as soon as possible," Scudder said. "Students will either be notified that they will receive an award, or they will be notified via email that they have been placed on a waitlist. We know this will be frustrating, but we are committed to notifying students of their scholarship status as quickly as we can, and it will be helpful if students apply as soon as possible even though the FAFSA deadline has been extended."
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