By Marlene Seeklander Schools that have not yet closed out their 2024-25 Direct Loan Program year need to make note of the upcoming closeout deadline. A March 18 Electronic Announcement reminds schools that Friday, July 31, 2026, is the closeout deadline and last processing day before the end of the program year. This means that all
Closeout deadline for 2024-25 Direct Loan Program year Read More »
By Marlene Seeklander Financial aid professionals and other industry partners who were unable to attend the recent FSA Training Conference can now view the session recordings. In a March 20 Electronic Announcement, Federal Student Aid (FSA) announced that the session recordings from the recent FSA Training Conference are now available at the following: In the announcement,
2026 FSA Training Conference session recordings now available Read More »
Higher Ed News Vol. 18 – Issue 6 Number of student loan borrowers in default matching pre-pandemic levels Nearly 8 million student loan borrowers with $180 billion federal student loans are in default, according to the latest data from the Department of Education. Reminder of upcoming scholarship strategies webinar hosted by Mapping Your Future Scholarships
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By Marlene Seeklander The Department of Education released new NSLDS layout changes to help the industry prepare for the financial aid procedures required by last year’s federal budget reconciliation. On March 12, the Department of Education announced the availability of the updated NSLDS Transfer Student Monitoring & Financial Aid History User Guide and Record Layouts. A
By Marlene Seeklander Schools now have a user resource available to them when completing an important application process for participating in the federal aid programs. The Department of Education has created the “Application for Approval to Participate in Federal Student Financial Aid Programs User Reference Guide” for completing what is commonly referred to as the E-App.
Department of Education publishes “E-App User Guide” Read More »
By Marlene Seeklander The Department of Education released new content for the FSA Handbook and announced it will be seeking input from financial aid professionals as they “reimagine the content” of the handbook. In a March 16 Electronic Announcement, the Department announced the availability of the Appendices of the 2025-26 Federal Student Aid Handbook and said
By Marlene Seeklander Students seeking additional funds for their college education may want to review these scholarship opportunities to determine if they are a good fit. College Now Adult Learner Scholarship– This scholarship is available to adult students age 19 and older who have interrupted their education for at least one year and who are pursuing a
State specific and national scholarship opportunities for students Read More »
Reminder of upcoming scholarship strategies webinar hosted by Mapping Your Future Scholarships can often be a critical source of funding when it comes to paying for college. Mapping Your Future’s “Four Components of a Successful Scholarship Strategy” webinar will address tips and techniques for applying for scholarships. The webinar will benefit high school and college
Tip of the Week – March 18, 2026 Read More »
By Catherine Mueller Nearly 8 million student loan borrowers with $180 billion federal student loans are in default, according to the latest data from the Department of Education. The number of defaulted borrowers mirrors the count from December 2019, prior to the payment pause, when 7.7 million recipients with approximately $168 billion in federal student loans
Number of student loan borrowers in default matching pre-pandemic levels Read More »
By Marlene Seeklander The Secretary of Education is seeking comments on proposed regulatory changes impacting the Federal Pell Grant program. In a Federal Register Notice published on March 9, 2026, the Secretary proposes to amend the Federal Pell Grant program regulations in order to implement changes that were part of the Budget Reconciliation Bill that was
Comments sought on proposed changes to Federal Pell Grant program regulations Read More »
