Department of Education

Laptop with notebook, pen, coffee cup, and phone

Guidance issued for Prison Education Programs (PEP) – Reporting and Approval Documentation

Newsroom, Department of Education / By

By Marlene Seeklander Institutions with a Prison Education Program (PEP) now have federal guidance for post-program approval and reporting documentation. In a September 21 Electronic Announcement, the Department of Education (the Department) outlined information addressing “Post Approval Guidance” and “Reporting Guidance” for institutions of higher education. Post Approval Guidance When the Department approves a PEP, the

Guidance issued for Prison Education Programs (PEP) – Reporting and Approval Documentation Read More »

Paper with FAFSA Free Application for Federal Student Aid on top

FAFSA Specifications Guides updated

Newsroom, Department of Education, FAFSA resources / By

By Marlene Seeklander Financial aid professionals can stay current with any changes to the FAFSA form and financial aid processing by reviewing the recent updates to the FAFSA Specifications Guides for the 2026-27 and 2027-28 award years.   The Department of Education recently announced updates to several volumes of the guides. Updates were made to volumes 1,

FAFSA Specifications Guides updated Read More »

Female sitting at desk working on laptop computer.

EDExpress changes addressed in latest FSA training offering

Newsroom, Department of Education / By

By Catherine Mueller New training sessions in the FSA Training Center offer financial aid professionals an opportunity to learn more recent changes to EDExpress for Windows software. The Department of Education recently announced two training sessions: To access the training, financial aid professionals should log into the FSA Training Center. Questions about the EDExpress training or

EDExpress changes addressed in latest FSA training offering Read More »

Portion of computer keyboard with the word "Webinar" in white on one of the black keys.

Workforce Pell online self-paced training course now available

Newsroom, Department of Education / By

By Marlene Seeklander Financial aid professionals wanting more information on the Workforce Pell Grant program can access a new online, self-paced course offered by Federal Student Aid (FSA). FSA recently announced the release of an online, self-paced course on Workforce Pell that provides an overview of the program and the expanded opportunity for eligible students to

Workforce Pell online self-paced training course now available Read More »

Keyboard with an old-fashioned red alarm clock on it.

Reminder: FISAP deadline October 1, 2026

Newsroom, Department of Education / By

By Marlene Seeklander The clock is ticking for a critical deadline for financial aid administrators. On September 10, the Department of ED reminded schools that the deadline for submitting the Fiscal Operations Report for 2025-26 and the Application to Participate for 2027-28, also known as the FISAP, is October 1. Schools requesting Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity

Reminder: FISAP deadline October 1, 2026 Read More »

Computer keyboard with a yellow key marked Training.

FSA Training Center has new and improved course offerings

Newsroom, Department of Education / By

By Marlene Seeklander Financial aid professionals can look to the FSA Training Center for a variety of training needs, whether that is a refresher course, comprehensive training, or short and focused training. In addition to the 2026-27 Learning Tracks and Training Courses that were launched this summer, FSA has made annual updates and enhancements to all

FSA Training Center has new and improved course offerings Read More »

FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) text on graduation cap and money.

Department of Education releases 2027-28 College Financing Plan

Newsroom, Department of Education, FAFSA resources, Paying for College / By

By Marlene Seeklander Financial aid professionals who opt to use the Department of Education’s College Financial Plan template now have a new version for the 2027-28 award year. The Department of Education announced the release of the 2027-28 College Financing Plan (CFP), a consumer tool that colleges can use to notify students about their financial aid

Department of Education releases 2027-28 College Financing Plan Read More »

Stack of papers with different colored binder clips

Department of Education announces new Borrower Defense portal

Newsroom, Department of Education / By

By Marlene Seeklander Financial aid professionals will soon have a new portal available to respond to Borrower Defense repayment applications. In a September 10 Dear Colleague Letter, the Department of Education (the Department) announced that starting in October 2026, schools will use FSA Partner Connect to access the new Borrower Defense Portal to respond to notifications

Department of Education announces new Borrower Defense portal Read More »

Magnifying glass with FAFSA being magnified

2027-28 FAFSA Preview Presentation now available

Newsroom, Department of Education, FAFSA resources / By

By Marlene Seeklander Financial aid and college access professionals can now access information and screenshots for the 2027-28 FAFSA to use for planning purposes, communicating changes, and training. A September 3 Electronic Announcement from Federal Student Aid (FSA) includes a Microsoft PowerPoint presentation and PDF file with information and screenshots of the 2027–28 online FAFSA form. The screenshots

2027-28 FAFSA Preview Presentation now available Read More »

FAFSA spelled out with blocks and stack of books with a piggy bank on top.

2027-28 FAFSA prototype now available

Newsroom, Department of Education, FAFSA resources / By

By Marlene Seeklander Financial aid and college access professionals now have a tool available to familiarize themselves with the 2027-28 FAFSA. The Department of Education announced the availability of the 2027-28 FAFSA prototype, which is an interactive tool that allows users to see and interact with most of the pages of the online 2027-28 FAFSA form. To access

2027-28 FAFSA prototype now available Read More »

Scroll to Top