By Marlene Seeklander The Federal School Code List – a key component of the FAFSA – has been updated by the Department of Education for 2026-27. The Department announced the availability of the 2026–27 Federal School Code (FSC) List of Participating Schools. Students enter these codes on the FAFSA in order for the postsecondary schools to […]
2026-27 Federal School Code List of Participating Schools Read More »
By Marlene Seeklander Creating a StudentAid.gov account or FSA ID shouldn’t be an obstacle for students and contributors when completing the FAFSA. The FSA ID is a “key first step” to completing the FAFSA, and Federal Student Aid (FSA) has made updates over the past few years to make the process easier. Aaron Lemon-Strauss, Executive Director
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By Catherine Mueller Despite the government shutdown, students and parents can complete the FAFSA and financial aid will be processed on the regular schedule according to the U.S. Department of Education. The Department announced on October 1 that despite the lapse in appropriations to fund the federal government, there will be minimal impact on students, borrowers,
Students and parents can complete FAFSA during federal shutdown Read More »
By Catherine Mueller Despite the federal government shutdown, the Department of Education will resume negotiated rulemaking sessions on the student loan provisions which became law under budget reconciliation. Negotiators are expected to continue their discussions on the provisions November 3 to November 7. The first negotiated rulemaking session was conducted in early October and while many
By Marlene Seeklander While submitting the FISAP is behind you, don’t forget to make any needed corrections and updates by December 15. Schools that have any changes, corrections or edits to make to the FISAP need to do so by Monday, December 15 at 11:59 p.m. Eastern time (ET). This is the last date to submit
2026-27 FISAP correction deadline approaching 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 »
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 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 »
