The Free Application for Federal Student Aid — FAFSA — for the upcoming 2025-2026 school year is now open nationwide, and financial aid experts at Iowa Central Community College say they’re ready to help area students to understand and complete the complicated forms.

“From December through February, we will be hosting FAFSA events at area high schools for students and parents,” said Natalie Price, director of financial aid at Iowa Central Community College. “We are happy to assist any student, whether they plan to attend Iowa Central or another college. Students can check with their guidance counselor to see when we will be at their school.”

Much of the FAFSA is based on individual and family tax records including wages, investments, real estate holdings, bank account balances of the student, as well as parents’ income, assets, and tax return information.

“One of the most common questions students ask is what they qualify for and whether they should complete the FAFSA,” said Krystal Crandall, financial aid compliance officer at Iowa Central Community College. “The FAFSA is a free application, and we encourage all students to apply as soon as possible to meet college, state, and federal deadlines.”

Once FAFSA documentation is completed, Crandall said financial aid offer letters are typically sent out to students in the spring once each college or university has processed the FAFSA results. However, Crandall said that due to FAFSA delays earlier this year, these results may take slightly longer to be reviewed and sent out by all institutions.

While the process that determines grant and loan eligibility for college students was plagued with problems nationwide in 2024, Congress and the Department of Education mandated an overhaul to create a more streamlined process that is simpler and easier for students and parents to understand.

“The FAFSA is critical because it determines eligibility for grants and student loans,” said Price. “Completing it promptly is essential as some state aid — such as the Last Dollar Scholar funding available through Iowa Central for certain high-demand programs — has specific deadlines. Additionally, there are priority deadlines for federal work study, and many colleges require the FAFSA for certain scholarships to determine a student’s financial need.”

While Iowa Central’s financial aid department will be helping area students and families with their FAFSA, even if they may not be attending Iowa Central’s main, satellite or online campuses, Price says their goal is to provide students with the opportunity to complete their degree or certification in the shortest amount of time possible with the least amount of student debt.

“Iowa Central is an excellent choice for students seeking a high-quality, cost-effective education,” said Price. “By starting their educational journey at Iowa Central, students can complete their associate degree or certifications with a significantly lower investment compared to private or public four-year institutions. This reduces overall student debt and financial stress, allowing students to focus on academic and career goals.”