Newsroom

Individual adding numbers on calculator.

New functionality added to foreign ownership, contracts and gifts reporting portal; institutions can now update older reports

Newsroom, Department of Education / By

By Marlene Seeklander Institutions required to report on foreign ownership, contracts, and gifts, now have a new functionality in their reporting portal that should make updating older reports easier compared to the previous manual process. In a June 18 Electronic Announcement, the Department of Education announced that, effective immediately, institutions of higher education (IHEs) can now […]

New functionality added to foreign ownership, contracts and gifts reporting portal; institutions can now update older reports Read More »

Piggy bank with graduation cap on money

Federal student loan borrowers to get rate reduction for enrollment in autopay

Leave a Comment / Department of Education, Latest, Student Loans / By

June 19, 2026 By Catherine Mueller Federal student loan borrowers could save some money on their student loans if they enroll in autopay. On June 18, The U.S. Department of Education announced that federal student loan borrowers enrolled in auto pay will be eligible for a 1 percent interest rate reduction beginning July 1. Borrowers who

Federal student loan borrowers to get rate reduction for enrollment in autopay Read More »

Large group of young adults studying in a classroom

Department of Education offers guidance on which programs to add to federal report

Newsroom, Department of Education / By

By Marlene Seeklander In what is likely an attempt to have all bases covered, schools have been adding programs to the Eligibility and Certification Approval Report (ECAR) that aren’t required. The Department of Education (ED) said it wants the practice to stop – in part to reduce the workload on schools. In a June 15 Electronic

Department of Education offers guidance on which programs to add to federal report Read More »

Man working on laptop computer at a desk.

Enhancements to FSA Partner Connect to improve user experience

Newsroom, Department of Education / By

By Marlene Seeklander Financial aid professionals entering the “digital front door” for Federal Student Aid (aka FSA Partner Connect) will notice some enhancements to the platform. In a recent Electronic Announcement, the Department of Education stated that the FSA Partner Connect has had a number of enhancements made to it to make things easier for their

Enhancements to FSA Partner Connect to improve user experience Read More »

Black Graduation cap over stack of coins next to stack of books

Scholarship opportunities for students pursuing video game and computer science-related majors

Newsroom, College preparation, Paying for College / By

By Marlene Seeklander Students interested in pursuing a major in video games or computer science-related majors may want to look into some scholarship opportunities for these majors. Scholarships enable students to pay for an education and avoid student loan debt. In addition, scholarships are recognition of a student’s accomplishments – something that can be included on

Scholarship opportunities for students pursuing video game and computer science-related majors Read More »

Tip of the Week – June 17, 2026

Newsroom, Financial Literacy, Latest, Mapping Your Future features, Newsletters, Student Loans, Tip of the Week / By

Tip of the Week Updated interest rate information available on Mapping Your Future website July is just around the corner and that means student loan borrowers will see slightly higher interest rates starting July 1. To help your students know the upcoming July 1 interest rates, Mapping Your Future staff recently updated several references to

Tip of the Week – June 17, 2026 Read More »

Keyboard with an old-fashioned red alarm clock on it.

 FSA Training Center to update award-year specific training courses

Newsroom, Department of Education / By

By Marlene Seeklander The clock is ticking for financial aid professionals to complete award-year specific training courses on the FSA Training Center. On July 2, the FSA Training Center will remove training courses specific to the 2025-26 award year and replace them with the 2026-27 award year courses on July 3. The FSA Training Center includes

 FSA Training Center to update award-year specific training courses Read More »

Woman working on calculator with papers and laptop in background.

2027-28 Student Aid Index (SAI) and Pell Grant Eligibility Guide now available

Newsroom, Department of Education / By

By Marlene Seeklander Financial aid professionals now have access to financial aid eligibility calculations for the 2027-28 award year with the release of a new guide from the Department of Education. In a recent Electronic Announcement, Federal Student Aid said that the 2027–28 Student Aid Index (SAI) and Pell Grant Eligibility Guide is available for download.

2027-28 Student Aid Index (SAI) and Pell Grant Eligibility Guide now available Read More »

Stand-up desk calendar with June 19 Juneteenth on it against blue and green background.

Federal Student Aid closures due to Juneteenth federal holiday

Newsroom, Department of Education / By

By Marlene Seeklander The Department of Education is among the federal offices closed for the Juneteenth National Independence Day federal holiday on Friday, June 19. The June 11 announcement states that the Federal Student Aid (FSA) processors and contact centers will be closed on June 19. All FSA websites will be operational on the holiday. The following additional

Federal Student Aid closures due to Juneteenth federal holiday Read More »

Man working on laptop computer at a desk.

2026-27 Award Year additional COD System implementation coming soon

Newsroom, Department of Education / By

By Marlene Seeklander Financial aid professionals will soon see additional Common Origination and Disbursement (COD) functionality for the 2026-27 award year. The Department of Education announced that on June 28, 2026 additional COD System functionality will be implemented. The additional functionality will support the Campus-Based programs, along with the processing of Pell Grant, TEACH Grant, and

2026-27 Award Year additional COD System implementation coming soon Read More »

Scroll to Top