Author name: Marlene Seeklander

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Registration for the 2026 FSA Training Conference requires action by January 23

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By Marlene Seeklander Schools interested in attending the upcoming Federal Student Aid (FSA) Conference need to act by January 23 to express interest in attending. On January 14, FSA announced that due to the limited number of seats at the conference site, they will hold a lottery if interest exceeds the number of seats available. The

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Winter 2026 Wednesday Webinars announced by Federal Student Aid

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By Marlene Seeklander Financial aid professionals can make note of some upcoming Wednesday Webinars offered by Federal Student Aid (FSA). FSA announced two live webinars covering key Title IV topics that will be held in January and February 2026. Participants can ask questions by typing them into the chat during the webinar, and a live Q&A

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Requirements for Title IV disbursement reporting, excess cash, and reconciliation

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By Marlene Seeklander College financial aid and business professionals manage many critical responsibilities. Among those responsibilities are the requirements for disbursement and financial data. In a January 8 Electronic Announcement, the Department of Education outlined the key components of the disbursement and financial data requirements. More detailed information on each is included in the announcement. Questions

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New NSLDS guide and record layouts for 2026

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By Marlene Seeklander With the beginning of the new year, financial aid professionals and others who use the National Student Loan Data System (NSLDS) now have some new tools for using the system. The National Student Loan Data System (NSLDS) has announced the availability of the updated NSLDS Transfer Student Monitoring & Financial Aid History User

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Mapping Your Future Higher Ed News – January 8, 2026

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Higher Ed News Vol. 18 – Issue 1 FSA offers “Mid-year Transfer Students” learning track Financial aid administrators often face a complex process for determining eligibility for mid-year transfer students. Peak processing reminders for 2025-26 With the beginning of a new semester and increased demand for financial aid, the Department of Education is reminding schools

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Peak processing reminders for 2025-26

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By Marlene Seeklander With the beginning of a new semester and increased demand for financial aid, the Department of Education is reminding schools that some processing may take longer. In an announcement, the Department shared the following peak processing reminders for the Common Origination and Disbursement (COD) system: Questions can be directed to the FSA Partner

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Online training on the Budget Reconciliation Bill now available

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By Marlene Seeklander Financial aid administrators and staff now have an opportunity to learn more about the impact of the Budget Reconciliation Bill on federal student aid programs through an online training course. The Department of Education announced that an online, self-paced training course is available, providing an overview of the Budget Reconciliation Bill (P.L. 119-21

Online training on the Budget Reconciliation Bill now available Read More »

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New Section 117 Portal now live – Reminder of January 31 reporting deadline

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By Marlene Seeklander Institutions that need to submit foreign gifts and contract information can now use the new Section 117 reporting portal. In a recent Electronic Announcement, the Department of Education is reminding institutions that the new Section 117 reporting portal located at ForeignFundingHigherEd.gov is now live. Institutions need to use the portal to submit foreign

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COD school testing for the 2026-27 award year available soon

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By Marlene Seeklander Schools and other organizations will soon be able to test the Common Origination and Disbursement (COD) system for the 2026-27 award year. In a January 7 Electronic Announcement, the Department of Education announced that the FSA Partner and School Relations Center will allow school testing of the COD system for the 2026-27 award

COD school testing for the 2026-27 award year available soon Read More »

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