By Marlene Seeklander Many financial aid professionals have questions about implementing new loan limitation regulations going into effect this summer following the passage last year of the federal budget reconciliation law. In particular, the questions center on how to correctly reduce annual loan limits for undergraduate students not enrolled full-time. Federal Student Aid offered a live
By Marlene Seeklander Institutions participating in campus-based financial aid programs can now plan for the 2026-27 award year, knowing how much funding will be available. In a March 30 Electronic Announcement, the Department of Education announced that the final 2026-27 Campus-Based programs funding worksheets and the 2026-27 Statement of Account for each of the Campus-Based programs
Campus-Based Programs 2026-27 Final Funding authorizations now available Read More »
By Marlene Seeklander Financial aid administrators overseeing campus-based financial aid programs can now add some important deadline dates to their 2026-27 processing calendar. In an April 8 Federal Register Notice, the Secretary of Education announced the publication of the 2026-27 award year deadline dates for the submission of requests and documents for the Federal Perkins
2026-27 award year deadlines for Campus-Based programs announced Read More »
By Marlene Seeklander The Department of Education recently resumed reviewing borrower defense to repayment claims, which explains why many institutions have seen a jump in the number claims in recent weeks. In a recent Electronic Announcement, the Department of Education (Department) said they have resumed adjudicating borrower defense to repayment applications that are not impacted by
Department of Education resumes adjudication of Borrower Defense claims Read More »
By Marlene Seeklander Individuals involved in the administration of federal financial aid can sign up to offer input on the services and products that they use daily. In a March 30 Electronic Announcement, Federal Student Aid (FSA) announced that they are seeking volunteers involved in the administration of federal financial aid to provide feedback, ideas, and
FSA seeking volunteers for input on partner services Read More »
By Marlene Seeklander When it comes to implementing something new, particularly new financial aid regulations, financial aid professionals want to have their questions answered and receive the latest updates. The Department of Education announced that the financial aid community will have the opportunity to participate in questions and answers and updates on the implementation of the
By Marlene Seeklander Students can get a head start on their summer plans by registering now for the June ACT test. The registration deadline for the June 13 test is May 8. Registration takes about 30 minutes to complete and requires students to register online, pay the fee, and upload a recent photo. Fees for the
May 8 registration deadline for June ACT test Read More »
Communicating with borrowers about the defunct SAVE Plan Even for those of us who live and breathe financial aid, it’s hard to keep up with what’s going on with student loans. There are just too many moving parts, and the facts on one day can be absolutely wrong the next day. And yet, it’s critical
Tip of the Week – April 8, 2026 Read More »
By Marlene Seeklander Financial aid professionals have one more tool available for the 2026-27 award year processing. The Department of Education announced that the Application and Verification Guide of the 2026-27 Federal Student Aid Handbook is now available. Financial aid administrators and counselors use this guide when helping students with the financial aid process, filing the
2026-27 FSA Handbook Application and Verification Guide now available Read More »
By Marlene Seeklander Although it seems it should go without saying, prison education programs should operate in the best interest of students. Institutions that offer a Prison Education Programs (PEP) are required to have an oversight entity review the program and submit a best interest determination to the Department of Education. In an April 6
Colleges required to operate Prison Education Programs in the best interest of students Read More »
