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Online training available for completing the 2027-28 FISAP

By Marlene Seeklander In addition to many responsibilities, financial aid professionals have an important responsibility coming up – completing the FISAP (fiscal reports and application to participate in federal financial aid). It’s not an easy task, but those responsible for it can prepare by completing an online, self-paced training course. Federal Student Aid (FSA) announced that […]

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Guidance released on FVT/GE Data Reporting and STATS early implementation

By Marlene Seeklander Institutions now have guidance from the Department of Education about the Financial Value Transparency and Gainful Employment (FVT/GE) data reporting requirements, as well as the option to early implement the new Student Tuition and Transparency System (STATS) and Earnings Accountability data collection. In an August 11 Electronic Announcement, the Department of Education provided

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Report of foreign involvement in U.S. higher education further delayed

By Marlene Seeklander The Department of Education has once again pushed back its planned publication of all foreign sources of ownership, gifts or contracts involving those institutions of higher education required to submit reports. In an August 10 update to a July 6 Electronic Announcement, the Department has agreed to delay by two weeks the planned

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Tip of the Week – August 12, 2026

Tip of the Week What can you withstand? Growing up in the Ozarks and now living in Texas, I’ve had my share of snake encounters. Some of those encounters have been close calls – like opening the front door and if I hadn’t looked down, I would have stepped on top of a copperhead.  I

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2027-28 FAFSA beta testing phase one launched

By Marlene Seeklander Students in a handful of select locations could have the opportunity to complete the 2027-28 FAFSA early as a part of the Department of Education’s beta testing. On August 7, the Department updated a July 21 Electronic Announcement and announced that they have launched the first phase of the 2027-28 beta testing with

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Mapping Your Future Higher Ed News – August 6, 2026

Higher Ed News Vol. 18 – Issue 16 Federal Student Aid fraud alert from U.S. Department of the Treasury Fraudsters are becoming more sophisticated, particularly when it comes to federal student aid fraud. Updated NSLDS Enrollment Reporting Guide (July 2026) now available Financial aid professionals now have a new enrollment reporting guide, updated with information

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Federal Perkins Loan Servicer change announced

By Marlene Seeklander Schools with Federal Perkins Loan portfolios that they are assigning to the Department of Education will need to make note of the transition to a new servicer. In an August 3 Electronic Announcement, the Department of Education (the Department) announced that they are transitioning the servicing of federal held Federal Perkins Loans from

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2026-27 FSA Handbook now includes Pell Grant information

By Marlene Seeklander Financial aid professionals can now access a key volume of the 2026-27 Federal Student Aid (FSA) Handbook. The July 30 Dear Colleague letter from the Department announced the availability of Volume 7 – The Federal Pell Grant Program, which provides information to assist schools in determining student eligibility for and calculating Federal Pell Grants. The

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FSA announces new regulations training series for August 2026

By Marlene Seeklander Financial aid professionals may get answers to the many questions about implementation of new regulations with some upcoming training sessions. Federal Student Aid (FSA) announced on July 31 that they are continuing to offer new webinars and virtual office hours during August for the financial aid community, allowing them to receive answers to

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Tip of the Week – August 5, 2026

Tip of the Week Future Focus on Financial Aid  I was far away from any shore, and the waves were crashing against the fishing boat. Just when I thought the sea was calm, another wave would hit the boat, making it rock violently. My seasickness was made worse by the anxiety over when another wave would

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