DENVER -- The FAFSA application period opened for the 2018-2019 school year this week, and for the first time ever students can fill out the forms on a smartphone app.
The U.S. Department of Education says the myStudentAid app will allow students and parents to easily and securely complete the 2019–20 Free Application for Federal Student Aid, more commonly known as the FAFSA.
The mobile app is available for iPhoneand Androiddevices and has separate settings for students and parents. The student version allows them to answer the questions, while parents can separately enter their income and tax information.
In another development, Colorado Governor John Hickenlooper announced the first ever "college free application day" will be on Oct. 30. All 32 public colleges and universities in Colorado and several private colleges will waive application fees for Colorado residents.
The Colorado Department of Higher Education has set a goal to get 66 percent of Colorado residents to have a post-secondary degree or credential by the year 2025.
"Right now we’re at 56 percent, but those numbers are very different when you look at white Coloradans, Latino or African-American Coloradans or Native Americans," said Colorado Department of Higher Education Executive Director Dan Baer. He said a priority of the department is increasing access to college or other post-secondary training for minority students.
The state encourages all college bound and current college students to fill out the FAFSA, and to be proactive about saving and earning money for college.
"Once you know you have some money saved for college, it gives you a sense of confidence you can save more, you can earn along the way , and with financial aid and other supports you’ll be able to make the investment you need in your future." said Baer.