LAS VEGAS (KLAS) - An important deadline is quickly approaching for students heading to college this fall.

The FAFSA, or Free Application for Federal Student Aid, must be submitted by the end of the month. The application is the first step to accessing billions of dollars in financial aid.

“FAFSA unlocks federal grants, loans, and work-study as well as many state and college programs' aid on a first-come, first-served basis,” Shaan Patel, Founder and CEO of

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