By Marlene Seeklander Anyone who has ideas on how the Department of Education could minimize the administrative burden of the 2026-27 FAFSA on applicants, has an opportunity now to submit their recommendations. In compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act, the Department of Education is soliciting written comments and recommendations for the collection of FAFSA information. A […]
By Marlene Seeklander Financial aid professionals will lose access to Federal Student Aid systems faster under new rules to be implemented this month but will also be able to restore their access faster with some new self-service options. In a recent Electronic Announcement, Federal Student Aid (FSA) stated that on May 18, 2025, they will implement
Policy changes and new self-service options for access to Federal Student Aid systems Read More »
By Marlene Seeklander Financial aid professionals and other FSA partners will soon see more changes to FSA Partner Connect – the digital front door and one-stop-shop for Federal Student Aid. A May 8 Electronic Announcement stated that starting in July 2025, FSA Partner Connect will become the primary enrollment and user management service for FSA. The
FSA Partner Connect to add new features, including the transition of SAIG Enrollment Read More »
By Marlene Seeklander Colleges and universities have reported additional foreign gifts and contracts valued at approximately $290 million since last July, according to an announcement from the Department of Education. In a May 9 Electronic Announcement, the Department of Education’s Office of Federal Student Aid (FSA) provided updated information about foreign gifts and contracts reported by
Updated foreign gift and contract data reported by institutions Read More »
By Marlene Seeklander By Marlene Seeklander The Department of Education is extending an urgent “ask” of colleges to help with default prevention. In a May 5 Electronic Announcement the Department of Education reminds schools that the federal student loan programs are a shared responsibility between student borrowers, the Department, and participating schools, with borrowers having the primary
By Marlene Seeklander There’s good news for Direct Loan borrowers and students receiving TEACH Grant awards in the next academic year. as the Direct Loan fees and TEACH award amounts remain unchanged. A recent Electronic Announcement outlined the sequester-required increases to Direct Loan fees and sequester-required reductions in TEACH Grant award amounts. These apply to loans
Direct Loan fees and TEACH Grant award amounts set for 2025-26 Read More »
By Marlene Seeklander Colleges thinking of switching or adding accreditors should find the process easier under new guidance issued recently by the Department of Education. A May 1 Dear Colleague Letter (DCL) from James P. Bergeron Deputy Under Secretary, outlined information regarding the process to change or add an accrediting agency and to submit all materials
Department clarifies process on changing accreditors, expands options for schools Read More »
By Marlene Seeklander Financial aid professionals will – hopefully – see the return of the automated NSLDS post-screening functionality soon. A May 1 Electronic Announcement from Federal Student Aid (FSA) stated that the processing of post-screening data on Institutional Student Information Records (ISIRs) for the 2024-25 and 2025-26 FAFSA cycles should resume for all institutions the
National Student Loan Data System (NSLDS) post-screening functionality to resume Read More »
By Marlene Seeklander The Federal School Code List – a key component of the FASFA – has been updated by Federal Student Aid (FSA). A recent Electronic Announcement provided information on the most recent 2025–26 Federal School Code (FSC) List of Participating Schools. Students sometimes enter these codes on the FAFSA in order for colleges to
Most recent 2025-26 Federal School Code List now available Read More »
By Marlene Seeklander EDExpress users will want to make note of several resources that are now available for Release 2.0 of the 2025-26 software. 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 Tools area of the Knowledge Center website.
EDExpress for Windows 2025-26, Release 2.0 now available Read More »
