By Marlene Seeklander Student loan borrowers using the Student Loan Simulator tool at StudentAaid.gov will now see new repayment options. As of July 1, the new Repayment Assistance Plan as well as the new Tiered Standard Repayment Plan are available in the loan simulator. RAP is the newest income-driven repayment plan available to any borrower with […]
Student Loan Simulator updated with new repayment plans Read More »
By Marlene Seeklander Financial aid professionals can now access two key volumes recently added to the 2026-27 FSA Handbook. The Department of Education announced that the following volumes of the 2026-27 FSA Handbook are now available: Volume 3: Academic Calendars, Cost of Attendance, and Packaging – provides information on academic calendars, payment periods, and disbursement requirements for
Important financial aid processing volumes added to 2026-27 FSA Handbook Read More »
By Marlene Seeklander Schools participating in the TEACH Grant program face an important upcoming deadline for the 2025-26 award year. In a recent Electronic Announcement, the Department of Education announced that the closeout deadline for the 2025-26 award year for the Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education (TEACH) Grant is September 30, 2026. This
Data submission deadline reminder for 2025-26 TEACH Grant Read More »
By Marlene Seeklander EDExpress for Windows users have new service releases available for 2025-26 and 2026-27 that resolve software issues and update enrollment-related fields. In a July 1 Electronic Announcement, Federal Student Aid announced new service releases for EDExpress for Windows 2025–26, Release 2.0 and EDExpress for Windows 2026-27, Release 2.0. Updates in the service releases
EDExpress Service Releases for 2025-26 and 2026-27 now available Read More »
By Marlene Seeklander Schools seeking approval from the Department of Education to offer eligible workforce programs can now access the required certification form. In a July 1 Electronic Announcement, the Department of Education (the Department) announced that the State Workforce Pell Certification Form is now available for eligible institutions seeking approval from the Department. As part
State Workforce Pell Certification Form now available Read More »
By Marlene Seeklander When it comes to NSLDS reporting, financial aid professionals can leave some of the optional fields blank in the next report. However, in doing so, they are indicating their school’s intent to early implement some of the provisions of the Working Families Tax Cuts Act. In a July 1 Electronic Announcement, the Department
National Student Loan Data System (NSLDS) updates as a result of new provisions Read More »
By Marlene Seeklander As of July 1, schools can establish lower annual loan limits for specific programs, beginning with the 2026-27 award year. In a June 26 Electronic Announcement, the Department of Education announced that the Working Families Tax Cuts Act (the Act) allows schools to set lower annual loan limits for specific programs, provided
Schools can set lower, program specific student loan limits Read More »
By Marlene Seeklander EDExpress users will want to take note of possible PC and system requirements planned for EDExpress 2027-28 for Windows. In a June 24 Electronic Announcement, Federal Student Aid provided advance notice of enhancements planned for EDExpress 2027-28 for Windows that may require schools to update PC workstations and/or their overall system. The EDExpress
Updated PC and system requirements for EDExpress users for 2027-28 Read More »
By Marlene Seeklander The Department of Education is among the federal offices that will be closed on Friday, July 3 in observance of the Independence Day federal holiday. A recent Electronic Announcement states that the Federal Student Aid (FSA) processors and contact centers will be closed on July 3. All FSA websites will be operational on the
Independence Day holiday closings for federal offices Read More »
By Marlene Seeklander Financial aid professionals interested in applying for Federal Pell Grant program eligibility for certain workforce programs can attend training on how to use the E-App to complete the process. The Department of Education stated In a June 25 Electronic Announcement that starting July 1, 2026, schools can use the E-App in FSA Partner
Managing Workforce Pell Programs training offered by Department of Education Read More »
