Newsroom - Mapping Your Future

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2026-27 FSA Handbook Application and Verification Guide now available

Newsroom, Department of Education / By Marlene Seeklander

By Marlene Seeklander Financial aid professionals have one more tool available for the 2026-27 award year processing. The Department of Education announced that the Application and Verification Guide of the 2026-27 Federal Student Aid Handbook is now available. Financial aid administrators and counselors use this guide when helping students with the financial aid process, filing the […]

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Colleges required to operate Prison Education Programs in the best interest of students

Newsroom, Department of Education / By Marlene Seeklander

By Marlene Seeklander Although it seems it should go without saying, prison education programs should operate in the best interest of students. Institutions that offer a Prison Education Programs (PEP) are required to have an oversight entity review the program and submit a best interest determination to the Department of Education. In an April 6

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Deadline approaching for colleges to provide access to campus-based financial aid

Newsroom, Department of Education / By Marlene Seeklander

By Marlene Seeklander Students who need extra funds to attend college can often benefit from access to campus-based federal financial aid. Schools and colleges wanting to participate in federal campus-based programs have until late April to apply for a waiver to the requirement of providing a share of the funds for the program. The Department outlined

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Deadline approaching to request waiver of 2026-27 FWS program community service requirements

Newsroom, Department of Education / By Marlene Seeklander

By Marlene Seeklander Institutions who won’t be able to meet the community service requirements of the Federal Work Study program have until later this month to request a waiver. Schools may request a waiver from the Federal Work Study (FWS) program community service requirements if those requirements cause hardship for students. An April 1 Electronic Announcement

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Mapping Your Future Higher Ed News – April 2, 2026

Newsroom, Higher Ed News, Latest, Newsletters, Popular / By Marlene Seeklander

Higher Ed News Vol. 18 – Issue 7 Mapping Your Future hosts scholarship strategies webinar – recording now available Scholarships can sometimes mean the difference between having enough money for a college education or having to borrow student loans. FY 2023 Draft Cohort Default Rates available Schools can begin reviewing their FY 2023 draft

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

Early Awareness E-News – April 2026

Newsroom, Early Awareness E-News, Latest, Newsletters, Popular / By Marlene Seeklander

Early Awareness E-News April 2026Vol. 18 – Issue 4 Mapping Your Future hosts scholarship strategies webinar – recording now available Scholarships can sometimes mean the difference between having enough money for a college education or having to borrow student loans. Federal student loan borrowers on SAVE repayment plan must choose a new plan soon Student

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Tip of the Week – April 1, 2026

Newsroom, Latest, Newsletters, Tip of the Week / By Marlene Seeklander

Financial pressure on Gen Z and their parents It’s tough to talk about money. That may be the reason that so many Gen Z’s are relying on social media for financial guidance. A Wells Fargo study released earlier this week reveals that Gen Z (which includes teenagers, college students and recent graduates ages 14-29) are

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Dark blue folder with FAFSA Free Application for Federal Student Aid on the front.

Minor updates coming to the 2027-28 FAFSA

Newsroom, Department of Education, FAFSA resources / By Marlene Seeklander

By Marlene Seeklander The 2027-28 FASFA will include a few minor changes when it is released in the fall. At the recent Federal Student Aid (FSA) Conference that was held in Washington, D.C. on March 4-6, the Department of Education presented a session on “FAFSA Updates” to outline some of the upcoming changes to the 2027-28

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April tasks for high school seniors

Newsroom, College preparation, FAFSA resources, Mapping Your Future features, Paying for College / By Marlene Seeklander

By Catherine Mueller As your senior year winds down, don’t let yourself become distracted by solely focusing on celebrating graduation – stay focused and finish your high school career strong. Below are the tasks you should complete during the month of April:

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A valuable lifelong skill

Newsroom, Financial Literacy, Latest / By Marlene Seeklander

By Marlene Seeklander Imagine for a moment if you had no idea how much money you had in your bank account. Writing checks or swiping your debit card could get you into serious financial trouble. That’s just one example of where being financially literate is so important. Financial literacy is a lifelong skill. It shouldn’t end

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