By Marlene Seeklander Financial aid professionals may have questions about how the new regulations will impact the various Federal Student Aid (FSA) systems. FSA recently announced a new learning opportunity – FSA Systems Changes Resulting from OBBBA – that will increase knowledge of the FAFSA Partner Portal (FPP), the Common Origination and Disbursement System (COD), and […]
By Marlene Seeklander Schools that have not yet closed out their 2024-25 Direct Loan Program year will need to make note of the upcoming closeout deadline. A May 20 Electronic Announcement reminds schools that Friday, July 31, 2026, is the closeout deadline and last processing day before the end of the program year. This means that
Closeout deadline nearing for 2024-25 Direct Loan Program year Read More »
By Marlene Seeklander Schools can now send a test file of Federal Work Study (FWS) wages prior to sending data for real. In a recent Electronic Announcement, the Department of Education announced that the FSA Partner and School Relations Center will conduct Campus-Based school testing from May 19 through September 30, 2026, for reporting Federal Work
Campus-Based school testing is now available for reporting Federal Work Study wages Read More »
By Marlene Seeklander Financial aid administrators now have access to the final regulations that impact Federal Pell Grant student eligibility and establish the new Workforce Pell program. On May 18, the Department of Education issued the final regulations in the Federal Register that have a significant impact on Federal Pell Grant eligibility. The statutory changes, which
Final regulations on Workforce Pell and other Pell Grant student eligibility published Read More »
By Marlene Seeklander The Department of Education is among the federal offices closed in observance of the Memorial Day federal holiday on Monday, May 25. The May 20 Electronic Announcement states that the Federal Student Aid (FSA) processors and contact centers will be closed on May 25. All FSA websites will be operational on the holiday. The FAFSA
Memorial Day 2026 holiday closings Read More »
By Marlene Seeklander Financial aid professionals can update their financial aid reading list with the latest volumes of the 2026-27 Federal Student Aid Handbook have just been released by the Department of Education. In the May 14 Electronic Announcement, the Department announced the availability of Volume 1 – Student Eligibility and Volume 9 – The TEACH Grant Program. The Federal
New volumes added to 2026-27 FSA Handbook Read More »
By Marlene Seeklander The Department of Education recently made updates to a key technical resource for schools. On May 18, the Department posted an update to the 2026–2027 Common Origination and Disbursement (COD) Technical Reference by adding Volume 3 (Combination System Supplement) and Volume 4 (Campus-Based Processing Technical Reference). Questions can be directed to the
Additional volumes added to financial aid origination and disbursement guide Read More »
By Catherine Mueller Financial aid professionals will be busy checking student identity after a few hundred thousand FAFSAs were selected for additional verification. The selection of the FAFSAs for additional identity verification follows the implementation of a new fraud detection system. On May 14, the Department added information to a April 15 announcement about the fraud
Hundreds of thousands of FAFSAs selected for identity verification Read More »
By Marlene Seeklander Following a widespread security breach involving the Canvas Learning Management System, the Department of Education detailed its response and provided recommendations for institutions. In a May 12 Electronic Announcement, the Department of Education stated that they have been actively working with Instructure Holdings, Inc, the parent company of the Canvas Learning Management System
Department of Education recommendations and response to Canvas security breach Read More »
By Marlene Seeklander There’s good news for Direct Loan borrowers and students receiving TEACH Grant awards in the 2026-27 academic year as the Direct Loan fees and TEACH award amounts once again 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
Direct Loan fees and TEACH Grant award amounts set for 2026-27 Read More »
