INDIANAPOLIS -- The Indiana Commission for Higher Education wants more Indiana families to file a critical college financial aid form before an upcoming deadline.

The commission said more than 150,000 Indiana residents missed the deadline last year to submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or FAFSA, 6News' Jennifer Carmack reported. The form is also required to receive state financial aid for college.

Some families may not file because the form seems to complicated or because they think they won't qualify for aid. But higher education advocates want more people to file the form.

"This is free money that is available for college and students who don't file FAFSA by March 10 miss this money," said spokeswoman Marilyn Moran Townsend.

Some high school seniors said they're heading the warning.

"It's probably one of the most important things right now because, the way my situation is, I'm relying on myself to make it through college," said Ashley Alvarado, a senior at Scecina Memorial High School.

The commission is providing step-by-step instructional videos online. The commission is also planning a live online chat to answer questions about the form on Feb. 27.

To access state college aid, students must file the application form by March 10.

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