As the financial aid season kicks into high gear, Western New England University’s (WNE) Financial Aid Office is reminding students and families to pay close attention to FAFSA deadlines to secure financial aid opportunities. Michelle Kowalsky Goodfellow, WNE’s Associate Vice President for Enrollment Management, recently shared key insights on this topic with U.S. News & World Report, emphasizing the importance of timely FAFSA submissions.
"Although it can be overwhelming, make sure (to file the FAFSA) because even if you think 'Yup, I'm not going to get anything,' you never know," says Kowalsky Goodfellow. “It's definitely not going to hurt you to submit the FAFSA and see what a school that you've been accepted to is willing and/or able to offer you," she shared.
For the 2024-2025 academic year, the FAFSA opened on December 1, 2023—a later start than usual due to significant updates to the application process. Massachusetts students aiming for state aid should submit their FAFSA by the priority deadline of May 1, 2025, while WNE has set its institutional priority deadline at March 15, 2025.
“Missing early deadlines can mean missing out on valuable aid,” Kowalsky Goodfellow notes. “Even if you think you won’t qualify for need-based assistance, submitting the FAFSA is essential for determining your eligibility for many types of financial aid, including merit-based scholarships at some institutions.”
In her insights shared with U.S. News & World Report, Kowalsky Goodfellow highlighted the FAFSA's user-friendly updates, including a simplified application process and enhanced tools, such as direct data sharing with the IRS. “The changes were designed to make completing the FAFSA easier, faster, and less prone to errors,” she explained.
WNE’s Financial Aid Office is dedicated to supporting students throughout the financial aid process and offers workshops, one-on-one counseling, and additional resources. “We encourage students and their families to reach out to us for guidance,” Kowalsky Goodfellow adds. “Our goal is to help them access the resources they need to succeed.”
For more information about FAFSA deadlines and financial aid opportunities at Western New England University, contact the Financial Aid Office at finaid@wne.edu or visit wne.edu/finaid.
