By Marlene Seeklander Schools and interested stakeholders can find updates on the 2025-26 FAFSA BETA testing by going to one central location. The Department of Education is providing updates to the BETA testing process at https://fsapartners.ed.gov/beta/Updates. Listed by date, with the newest information appearing at the top, schools and stakeholders can find updates on such topics […]
BETA Updates Page for 2025-26 FAFSA Read More »
By Catherine Mueller Students are completing the beta-test version of the 2025-26 FAFSA without encountering any critical errors and students are receiving the records of those students. Along with sharing the results of the first round of the 2025-26 FAFSA beta tests, the U.S. Department of Education on Tuesday announced the launch of the second stage of
First round of 2025-26 FAFSA testing is complete, no major problems found Read More »
By Marlene Seeklander Schools still participating in the Federal Perkins Loan Program need to watch for an important notification from the Department of Education. The Department recently announced that, as part of the wind-down process of the Federal Perkins Loan Program, they require an annual capital distribution from the school’s Perkins Fund. Schools will be
2024-25 Federal Perkins Loan Revolving Fund Distribution of Assets Timeline Read More »
By Marlene Seeklander You can make a note on your 2025-26 planning list to check out the recent additions to the 2025-26 FAFSA Specifications Guide. The Department of Education recently announced the addition of two volumes to the 2025-26 FAFSA Specifications Guide. These volumes include: Throughout the 2025-26 cycle, the Knowledge Center website will be updated
Updates to 2025-26 FAFSA Specifications Guide Read More »
By Marlene Seeklander For those financial aid professionals affected by the recent weather-related disasters, the Department of Education has provided some relief to their offices and for their students. The Department of Education (ED) has announced guidance about regulatory relief to institutions located in federally declared disaster areas due to Tropical Storm Helene or Hurricane Helene.
Tropical Storm Helene and Hurricane Helene Title IV guidance Read More »
By Marlene Seeklander Navigating the important recertification process can be daunting for financial aid administrators. The Department of Education announced the availability of a recorded webinar, presentation slides, and transcript to assist schools with the completion and submission of the recertification application. A school must submit a completed recertification application no later than 90 days
Title IV Recertification training webinar available Read More »
By Marlene Seeklander Borrowers with a joint consolidation loan with another individual can separate their joint debts into an individual Direct Consolidation loan. The Joint Consolidation Loan Separation Act (JCLSA) was signed into law on October 11, 2022, and allows borrowers with either Direct Loans (DL) or Federal Family Education Loans (FFEL) to separate their joint
By Marlene Seeklander Of all the tasks on your to-do list, registering for the annual virtual Federal Student Aid (FSA) Training Conference is an easy one to check off. FSA announced that the registration for their free annual training conference on December 3-6 is now open. Registration can be completed at the FSA Training Conference Home on
2024 Virtual FSA Training Conference registration now open Read More »
By Catherine Mueller The U.S. Department of Education invites school districts to join the Student Attendance and Engagement Solutions Network. According to an announcement from the Department of Education, the network (also known as the Attendance Solutions Network) has been created to support districts to reduce chronic absence, increase student engagement, and build on prevention
National network formed to support student attendance and engagement strategies Read More »
By Marlene Seeklander Colleges that cross the line from communicating the value of their programs into misrepresentation could face fines or be limited in their participation of federal financial aid programs. The Department of Education released a bulletin informing Title IV-eligible schools and third-party servicers of the examples of conduct that creates a risk of
Colleges reminded about what constitutes misrepresentation to students Read More »
