Rough going in the implementation of new financial aid rules The ripples spreading through the waters are quickly becoming waves threatening to overwhelm both professionals and students alike. It may seem dramatic to characterize the changes under OB3 in such terms. However, what makes sense on the surface gets more complicated with implementation. The combination
Tip of the Week – April 22, 2026 Read More »
By Marlene Seeklander Applying for scholarships is a smart way to pay for a college education. Scholarships enable students to pay for an education and avoid student loan debt. In addition, scholarships are recognition of a student’s accomplishments – something that can be included on a resume or lead to other opportunities. Students may want to
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By Marlene Seeklander Financial aid professionals may have questions about the legacy loan limit provisions going into effect this summer following the passage last year of the federal budget reconciliation law. Federal Student Aid offered a live webinar on April 17 that addressed the provisions for those borrowers who had loans disbursed prior to July 1,
Webinar recording on legacy loan limit provisions now available Read More »
By Marlene Seeklander Financial aid professionals can learn more about the new real-time FAFSA fraud detection in an upcoming webinar. In an April 15 Electronic Announcement, the Department of Education announced a live webinar on Friday, May 1 from 1-2 p.m. (Eastern) that will explain the new process and allow participants to ask questions during the
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By Marlene Seeklander Schools may need to review and update verification records soon or possibly risk having their students considered to be in an overaward situation. A recent Electronic Announcement outlined several verification reminders for schools that should be reviewed to ensure compliance. Beginning April 23, the Department will start sending messages to schools with one
By Marlene Seeklander With fraud prevention becoming an increasingly critical issue, the Department of Education announced it will implement new measures to protect the FAFSA application. In an April 15 Electronic Announcement, the Department (ED) announced that it will implement real-time identity fraud detection for the FAFSA application by screening and assessing risk as students and
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Higher Ed News Vol. 18 – Issue 8 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. Webinar recording on applying new loan limitations for students attending less than full time Many financial
Mapping Your Future Higher Ed News – April 16, 2026 Read More »
By Marlene Seeklander The Department of Education just released a key volume of the 2025-26 Federal Student Aid Handbook. In an April 10 Electronic Announcement, the Department of Education (ED) announced the availability of Volume 2 – School Eligibility and Operations. This volume provides information on the general obligations in administering the Title IV student aid programs, including institutional
2025-26 FSA Handbook Volume 2 – School Eligibility and Operations – now available Read More »
Two factors for a successful financial future A good education and no debt – two factors that ensure young adults start their future off on the right foot financially. Because it’s financial literacy month and because the FAFSA is a critical first step to pursuing postsecondary education, students and parents should know it is not
Tip of the Week – April 15, 2026 Read More »
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
