The deadline for submitting the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) has been pushed to March 31 for students who are also seeking the Idaho Opportunity Scholarship. However, it’s important to note that the deadline for the Opportunity Scholarship application remains unchanged at March 1.
The Office of the State Board of Education explained in a news release that the FAFSA deadline extension was prompted by students encountering difficulties with the revamped, shorter version of the application, introduced by the U.S. Department of Education to streamline the process.
Sara Scudder, the Board’s College and Career Access Officer, emphasized the importance of promptly completing both the Opportunity Scholarship and FAFSA applications. While the FAFSA is a prerequisite for the Idaho Opportunity Scholarship, the reverse is not true.
Key Application Guidelines and Deadlines:
- March 1: Deadline for Idaho Opportunity Scholarship applications. Students must submit their applications to the State Board office by this date to qualify for the scholarship. Additionally, scholarship applicants must complete the FAFSA.
- March 31: FAFSA deadline for Idaho Opportunity Scholarship applicants ONLY. The U.S. Department of Education will withhold student FAFSA information from state agencies and higher education institutions until mid-March, potentially creating a tight timeline for scholarship awards.
Scudder advised students to consult their school counselors and inquire about FAFSA application assistance events in their local communities. The State Board staff pledges to expedite the award offer process for the Opportunity Scholarship, aiming to notify students of their status promptly, whether they receive an award or are placed on a waitlist.
Despite the FAFSA deadline extension, applying as early as possible is encouraged to facilitate timely scholarship processing.
For access to the FAFSA form, please visit this link.
