FAFSA processing delay gives students opportunity to apply for scholarships

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) - FAFSA form processing is currently delayed. The deadline has been delayed from March 1 to March 31, 2024. This is an opportunity for students to apply for scholarships.

“Take this time to be laser focused on applying for scholarships,” National Society of High School Scholars Co-founder James Lewis said.

Lewis says there are two main reasons for the FAFSA form process being delayed.

"First, they're changing the form to make it more simple in the process of identifying how do they take... over 100 questions and reduce it to approximately 30 is something that they've been working diligently on," Lewis said.

The second reason is FAFSA is changing the formula to identify who is available or how much funds are available for each family.

"So it's really a win-win for the American public. It's a simpler process now, and there's going to be more funds available for students and their families," Lewis said.

There are more than 1.7 million scholarships and fellowships available with a total of more than $7.4 billion. Students can apply before and even while they are attending college.

For information on how to apply for scholarships more easily, visit this news article.