Tip of the Week Resources to make completing the 2026-27 FAFSA even easier Completing the FAFSA usually isn’t difficult, especially if students and families are prepared. There are two important steps when preparing to complete the 2026-27 FAFSA: Setting up StudentAid.gov account (also known as creating an FSA ID) is the first step when completing […]
Tip of the Week – October 8, 2025 Read More »
Higher Ed News Vol. 17 – Issue 20 Department of Education issues reminder: Federal grant funds may not be used on lobbying activity Higher education officials may already know that federal grant funds cannot be used for lobbying efforts but just in case anyone didn’t know, the Department of Education sent out a reminder earlier
Mapping Your Future Higher Ed News – October 2, 2025 Read More »
By Marlene Seeklander Higher education officials may already know that federal grant funds cannot be used for lobbying efforts but just in case anyone didn’t know, the Department of Education sent out a reminder earlier this week. In a September 30 Dear Colleague Letter (DCL), the Department of Education (Department) provided clarifying guidance that the use
By Marlene Seeklander The temporary government shutdown is impacting webinar opportunities for financial aid professionals. Federal Student Aid (FSA) announced that the webinar scheduled for Wednesday, October 8, on “Charges and Credit Balances” has been cancelled. Once the shutdown is over, FSA will announce a rescheduled date for the webinar.
Federal Student Aid October 8 webinar on Charges and Credit Balances has been cancelled Read More »
Early Awareness E-News October 2025Vol. 17 – Issue 10 Launch of the 2026-27 FAFSA is the earliest in the program’s history The 2026-27 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is now available for all students to complete. Five reasons you should complete the FAFSA Completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) can
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Tip of the Week Government “shutdown” has limited impact on students, schools, borrowers, and other entities involved in the Title IV programs The government shutdown – or lapse in appropriations to fund the federal government – will have a limited impact on students and schools, in particular, which is good news. In an October 1
Tip of the Week – October 1, 2025 Read More »
By Marlene Seeklander Schools, state agencies, and contractors all have a role in safeguarding student and parent data received as a part of the federal student aid process. In a comprehensive Dear Colleague Letter (DCL) published on September 30, 2025, the Department of Education addresses guidance on the permitted access, disclosure, and use of Federal Tax
Department of Education releases guidance on the use of federal student aid data Read More »
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 »
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
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 »
