Author name: Marlene Seeklander

Large group of young adults studying in a classroom

Enhanced ACT now available to national paper-pencil test takers

Newsroom, College preparation, Latest / By

By Marlene Seeklander ACT test takers now have a shorter test and the option of taking the science section. Last spring, ACT introduced enhancements to the national test online and those enhancements have now been extended to national paper-pencil test takers. These enhancements include: According to ACT, the enhancements are designed to allow students to finish

Enhanced ACT now available to national paper-pencil test takers Read More »

Photo of a college campus green.

Department to distribute 2025-26 Supplemental funds for work-study and grants to specific colleges

Newsroom, Department of Education / By

By Marlene Seeklander Students should benefit when some colleges will receive 2025-26 supplemental Campus-Based funds in the near future. In a September 30 Electronic Announcement, the Department of Education (ED) outlined how 2025-26 supplemental Campus-Based award funds will be distributed and how schools will be notified. Information collected on the Campus-Based Reallocation Form that was due

Department to distribute 2025-26 Supplemental funds for work-study and grants to specific colleges Read More »

Office setting with top of desk with notebooks, pencils, and coffee container.

EDExpress for Windows 2026-27, Release 1.0 now available

Newsroom, Department of Education, Mapping Your Future features / By

By Marlene Seeklander EDExpress users now have access to the EDExpress for Windows 2026-27, Release 1.0 software, which includes legislative updates and changes implemented during the 2026-27 FAFSA beta testing. In a recent Electronic Announcement, Federal Student Aid announced the availability of EDExpress for Windows 2025-26, Release 2.0, which is available in the Software and Other

EDExpress for Windows 2026-27, Release 1.0 now available Read More »

Open laptop with several post-it note pads

Department of Education announces resolution of Federal Pell Grant eligibility issues

Newsroom, College preparation, Paying for College / By

By Marlene Seeklander Two “bugs” in the FAFSA Processing System that resulted in incorrect Pell Grant eligibility data have been resolved. The Department of Education announced that they unintentionally introduced two errors into the FAFSA Processing System that resulted in incorrect Pell Grant eligibility data being shared with institutions and applicants. The issues have since been

Department of Education announces resolution of Federal Pell Grant eligibility issues Read More »

Old books on wooden planks with blur shimmer background

October tasks for seniors

Newsroom / By

By Catherine Mueller During your senior year, you will finalize your college choice. This year is filled with admission applications, scholarship essays, financial aid information, and the need to meet deadlines. Throughout your senior year, continue to build your resume by achieving academic success, as well as participating in extracurricular activities. Colleges are interested in well-rounded

October tasks for seniors Read More »

FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) text on graduation cap and money.

Department of Education releases 2026-27 College Financing Plan

Newsroom, Department of Education, FAFSA resources, Paying for College / By

By Marlene Seeklander Those financial aid professionals who opt to use the Department of Education’s College Financial Plan template now have a new version for the 2026-27 award year. The Department of Education announced the release of the 2026-27 College Financing Plan (CFP), a consumer tool that colleges can use to notify students about their financial

Department of Education releases 2026-27 College Financing Plan Read More »

US Department of Education building

Federal Need Analysis Methodology updated for the 2026-27 Award Year

Newsroom, Department of Education, Latest / By

By Marlene Seeklander To keep pace with the cost of living, the Department of Education recently updated the numbers used in determining whether a student qualifies for need-based federal financial aid. In a September 24 Dear Colleague Letter, the Secretary of Education announced the annual updates to the tables used in the Federal Needs Analysis

Federal Need Analysis Methodology updated for the 2026-27 Award Year Read More »

Photo of the US Capitol with a blue sky and a few clouds in the background

FY 2022 national default rate briefing released

Newsroom, Department of Education, Latest, Student Loans / By

By Marlene Seeklander The national student loan default rate remains at 0% for the third year in a row. The Department of Education (ED) released their FY 2022 national default briefing and, as expected, the FY 2022 cohort default rates were affected by the pause on federal student loan payments that began in March 2020.

FY 2022 national default rate briefing released Read More »

Scroll to Top