Officials encourage high school seniors to apply for FAFSA, seek help during process

SALISBURY, Md. – If want to go to college, the first step is applying for the college of your dreams and the next step is figuring out how you’re going to pay for it.

To make those dreams a reality, FAFSA revamped its application. But since its relaunch, Karen McCarthy, with the National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators said the process has gotten trickier.

“There have been several operation difficulties and delays with the 24-25 FAFSA form,” McCarthy said.

McCarthy’s job is to bridge the gap between students and higher education. But since the Department of Education announced it will not be sending processed FAFSA applications to colleges until March,
she said higher education seekers are facing uncertainty.

“There is quite a lot of concern for our lowest income students, who we are always trying to encourage to complete the FAFSA as soon as possible,” McCarthy said. “For those students in particular, the finances are a big part of the equation, in terms of where they’re going to ultimately enroll.”

At Wicomico High School, guidance counselor, Kory Lowe, said students are feeling those concerns,
however, he’s been encouraging seniors not to give up on their goals.

“You’re not going to say yes to a college and have no idea how you’re going to pay for it, so I think that’s going to be the biggest issue, the waiting, so they receive it later and now you have to make that decision,” Lowe said.

Entering the second half of the school year, Lowe said students still have time to complete the form if they haven’t already.

“The sooner the better,” Lowe said. “It’s just one check that you make, and you can mark off that list for college. Again, the nice part is if you have all of the colleges on your FAFSA you’re applying to, you’re set.”