Author name: Marlene Seeklander

US Department of Education building

Tropical Storm Helene and Hurricane Helene Title IV guidance

By Marlene Seeklander For those financial aid professionals affected by the recent weather-related disasters, the Department of Education has provided some relief to their offices and for their students. The Department of Education (ED) has announced guidance about regulatory relief to institutions located in federally declared disaster areas due to Tropical Storm Helene or Hurricane Helene.

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Open laptop with several post-it note pads

Title IV Recertification training webinar available

By Marlene Seeklander Navigating the important recertification process can be daunting for financial aid administrators. The Department of Education announced the availability of a recorded webinar, presentation slides, and transcript to assist schools with the completion and submission of the recertification application. A school must submit a completed recertification application no later than 90 days

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Bank Balancing Tool

Implementation update for the Joint Consolidation Loan Separation Act for FFEL Loan Holders and Servicers

By Marlene Seeklander Borrowers with a joint consolidation loan with another individual can separate their joint debts into an individual Direct Consolidation loan. The Joint Consolidation Loan Separation Act (JCLSA) was signed into law on October 11, 2022, and allows borrowers with either Direct Loans (DL) or Federal Family Education Loans (FFEL) to separate their joint

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2024 Virtual FSA Training Conference registration now open

By Marlene Seeklander Of all the tasks on your to-do list, registering for the annual virtual Federal Student Aid (FSA) Training Conference is an easy one to check off. FSA announced that the registration for their free annual training conference on December 3-6 is now open. Registration can be completed at the FSA Training Conference Home on

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Mapping Your Future Higher Ed News – October 3, 2024

Higher Ed News Vol. 16 – Issue 21 Students can complete the 2025-26 FAFSA in December Students seeking financial aid for the 2025-26 academic year should plan to complete the FAFSA after December 1, 2024. Secretary of Education letter on improving the FAFSA experience In an effort to improve communication with schools and colleges, the

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several pairs of students with books lying on the grass in the Park.

Early Awareness E-News – October 2024

Early Awareness E-News October 2024Vol. 16 – Issue 10 Students can complete the 2025-26 FAFSA in December Students seeking financial aid for the 2025-26 academic year should plan to complete the FAFSA after December 1, 2024. Five tips to complete this important FAFSA first step Although students and parents won’t be able to apply for

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Professor pointing towards desktop while assisting female students in computer class

National network formed to support student attendance and engagement strategies

By Catherine Mueller The U.S. Department of Education invites school districts to join the Student Attendance and Engagement Solutions Network. According to an announcement from the Department of Education, the network (also known as the Attendance Solutions Network) has been created to support districts to reduce chronic absence, increase student engagement, and build on prevention

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A hand up

By Catherine Mueller Hardly anyone gets through college without help from someone else. That help often comes in the form of money to pay for college. And if it’s not money from parents or other relatives, it’s often scholarships that help students persist and graduate from college. There are a lot of scholarships available for students

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