By Marlene Seeklander Student loan borrowers wanting to apply for the Income-Drive Repayment Plan or Loan Consolidation can once again do so. A March 26 Press Release from the Department of Education announced that they have reopened the online income-driven (IDR) plan and loan consolidation applications for borrowers. In order to comply with the 8th Circuit […]
By Marlene Seeklander Institutions who won’t be able to meet the community service requirements of the Federal Work Study program have until next 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. A March 24 Electronic Announcement outlines
Deadline nearing to request waiver of 2025-26 FWS program community service requirements Read More »
By Marlene Seeklander The FAFSA and student loan servicing are two areas left unimpacted by the recent Department of Education layoffs, according to a letter sent out late last week. In a March 17 Electronic Announcement, the Department published the March 14 letter from Acting Under Secretary James Bergeron, addressing the recent reduction in force (RIF). The
Letter to education stakeholders from Acting Under Secretary James Bergeron Read More »
By Marlene Seeklander Most of us need a nudge every once in a while, a little reminder to do something important like, maybe, completing the FAFSA. Students who completed FAFSAs in the last couple of years are receiving reminders from the Department of Education that the 2025-26 FAFSA is ready for them to complete. And the
2025-26 FAFSA reminder campaign underway Read More »
By Marlene Seeklander Schools with questions related to the E-App and other general school eligibility will want to make note of updated contact information. According to a recent Electronic Announcement, with the recent regional organizational changes, Federal Student Aid (FSA) is now responding to questions related to the completion of the Application for Approval to Participate
Updated School Participation Division contact information Read More »
By Marlene Seeklander Another important piece of the 2025-26 award year processing will soon be in place. The Department of Education announced that on March 23 they will implement the functionality to support Campus-Based programs and the processing of Pell Grant, TEACH, and Direct Loan awards for the 2025-26 award year in the Common Origination and
2025–26 award year COD System implementation Read More »
By Marlene Seeklander Students may have a little more access to some federal financial aid programs under a program that waives the institutional funding requirements. The Department of Education provides a waiver of the non-federal share for the Federal Work Study (FWS) and Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG) programs for certain institutions. A recent Electronic
By Marlene Seeklander The power of the written word is epitomized in the Policies and Procedures manual. The manual is essential in the administration of federal financial aid, providing staff with the proper steps to package, disburse, and manage funds. The manual is also a crucial component of a school’s internal controls, necessary for federal compliance.
Two-day live virtual training course on Policies and Procedures being offered by FSA Read More »
By Marlene Seeklander The Department of Education is reminding financial aid administrators about the importance of completing the identity verification process for flagged individuals and reporting suspected fraud. Identity Verification update The Department announced on February 24 that they have resumed flagging applicants that meet criteria for potentially fraudulent activity. This includes applicants suspected of using
Identity verification and reporting fraud – updates and reminders Read More »
By Marlene Seeklander The days are winding down for financial aid professionals to access the event platform for the 2024 Virtual FSA Training Conference. According to an update to an earlier Electronic Announcement from Federal Student Aid, the event platform will no longer be available after March 6, 2025, thus users will no longer be able
2024 Virtual FSA Training Conference event platform shutting down soon Read More »
