INA, Ill. (Dec. 19, 2023)— With the new semester right around the corner, it is about time to start thinking about financial aid. With the new FAFSA Simplification Act and Rend Lake College Foundation scholarships, students will be able to fund their education for the 2024-25 school year.
2024 – 2025 Timeline:
December 31, 2023 – the FAFSA will be released for completion.
January 1, 2024 – RLC Foundation Scholarships open
January 2, 2024 - First day of Spring walk-in & virtual registration
By January 31, 2024 – Schools will start to receive the students’ FAFSA applications
By February 28, 2024 - FAFSA corrections can be made
March 1, 2024 – Deadline for priority on Foundation Scholarships
June 30, 2024 – Foundation Scholarships close
The FAFSA Simplification Act has completely rewritten the FAFSA application. The brand new FAFSA application will be available for students, spouses, and parents to complete on December 31, 2023. Every contributor will need their own FSA ID in order to complete their portion of the FAFSA. The FSA ID can be created at studentaid.gov and this will need to be complete at least 3 days prior to filling out the FAFSA.
“The exciting part of the new FAFSA is when a contributor signs in and provides consent, their tax information will automatically be applied to the FAFSA,” said Amy Epplin, RLC Director in Institutional Compliance and Research. “If a contributor does not provide consent, the FAFSA cannot be completed. Each person needing to provide tax information will have to give their own individual consent unless they filed a joint tax return.”
It is important for all students to apply for FAFSA so that they are able to benefit from the PELL Grant, MAP Grant, and SEOG Grant.
These grants are awarded on a first-come, first-serve basis so it's important to fill out FAFSA forms as soon as they open on December 31, 2023.
Students are also recommended to apply for RLCF Scholarships. By filling out just 1 application, students are eligible for all scholarships provided by the Foundation.
Applications open on January 1, 2024 and close June 30, 2024. Students who apply before March 1, 2024 receive priority. To get started on funding your education, visit: rlc.edu/foundation.
RLC wants to reduce the stress of financial aid as much as we can and that is why we have a team of professionals in the advisement office who are here to help. Our financial aid specialists are ready and willing to talk to you; schedule an appointment or come to one of the FAFSA completion sessions to get started on saving for the Spring 2024 semester.
RLC Financial Aid Office will be hosting FAFSA completion sessions in late January and early February to assists students and parents in filling out their FAFSA forms. Be on the lookout for dates and times!
To learn more about the FAFSA Simplification Act, visit: What is the FAFSA Simplification Act? | Federal Student Aid
For questions on financial aid at RLC, email rlcfa@rlc.edu or call 618-437-5321, ext. 1385.