“Early FAFSA” and “Prior-Prior Year”

Submit a FAFSA® Earlier:
You will be able to file your FAFSA as early as October 1 for the upcoming award year (Fall/Spring/Summer) instead of having to wait until January 1. This is referred to as “Early FAFSA”.

  • The FAFSA application will be available at studentaid.gov on/after October 1.
  • After submission of your FAFSA on/after October 1, we will begin processing your FAFSA in mid-November and will advise you immediately if additional documentation is needed.
  • Additional information regarding the application process is available to assist you when applying for financial aid.

Use Earlier Income Information:
You will provide income information from one tax year earlier  instead of the previous year; this is referred to as “Prior-Prior Year”. Therefore, more students and families will be able to complete their FAFSA using income information rather than having to submit the FAFSA application with income estimates that may need correcting, or worse, waiting until the previous year’s tax return has been filed.

  • You may be selected for ‘verification’ and required to submit additional documentation.
  • If selected for verification, additional documentation may include, but is not limited to, the tax return transcript, verification worksheet, child support income or untaxed income documentation, etc...

Receive Your Award Notification Earlier:
“Early FAFSA” and “Prior-Prior Year” will allow faster and easier submission of your  FAFSA application which, in turn, will allow us to determine your financial aid eligibility earlier in accordance with MSU’s priority deadline dates.  Awarding for the upcoming award year will begin in mid-February.