Northwestern State University’s Office of Student Financial Aid is encouraging current and future students to begin the process of applying for financial aid for the 2017-18 academic year.

According to Lauren P. Jackson, director of financial aid at Northwestern State, the first step toward obtaining financial aid is to fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), the primary form the federal government states and colleges use to award grants, scholarships, work study and student loans. The form also determines eligibility for TOPS and the PLUS Loan for Parents.

Northwestern State’s financial aid priority deadline is May 1.

“Those who have all financial aid paperwork completed and in the Office of Student Financial Aid by the priority deadline receive priority consideration for financial aid,” said Jackson. “Funding for some programs is limited, so those who meet the deadline have a better opportunity to benefit from all available programs.”

For more information, e-mail nsufinaid@nsula.edu or go to nsula.edu/financialaid.