By Marlene Seeklander The Department of Education has outlined specifics on how federal budget reconciliation will impact the FAFSA form and Pell Grant eligibility. In an August 15 Electronic Announcement, the Department provided information about the key changes to the 2026-27 FAFSA and Federal Pell Grant eligibility that were part of the Budget Reconciliation Bill signed […]
By Marlene Seeklander Financial aid professionals know that understanding the basics is critical to administering federal student aid. For those who are new to financial aid or want a refresher on the basics, the Department of Education’s Office of Federal Student Aid (FSA) offers a Fundamentals Training Series. The FSA Fundamentals Training Series consists of: To
FSA Fundamentals Training Series available to new and experienced professionals Read More »
By Marlene Seeklander Although financial aid professionals still face some deadlines for “verification of identity” reporting, the Department of Education has revised those deadlines somewhat due to a delay with the reporting system. In an August 12 Electronic Announcement, the Department of Education said the reporting deadlines would be adjusted to match the availability of the
Verification reporting available soon; deadlines adjusted Read More »
By Marlene Seeklander Financial aid professionals have many critical responsibilities, but perhaps one of the most important is completing the FISAP (fiscal reports and application to participate in federal financial aid). It’s not an easy task, but those responsible for it can prepare by completing an online, self-paced training course. Federal Student Aid (FSA) announced that
Online training available for completing the 2026-27 FISAP Read More »
By Marlene Seeklander The Total and Permanent Disability (TPD) discharge loan assignment process has resumed. In a July 30 Electronic Announcement, the Department of Education announced that the TPD loan assignment process has now resumed and loan holders such as lenders and guaranty agencies and schools (participating in the Federal Perkins Loan Program and servicing their
TPD Discharge information now available Read More »
By Marlene Seeklander Schools with approved campus-based awards for the 2025-26 award year can now check their award amounts via a report available from the Department of Education. In a July 30 Electronic Announcement, the Department of Education provided information on the Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG) and Federal Work-Study (FWS) programs for the 2025–26
2025-26 Campus-Based Funding notification report available Read More »
By Marlene Seeklander A key component of the FASFA – The Federal School Code List – 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 enter these codes on the FAFSA in order for colleges to receive their FAFSA
Updated 2025–26 Federal School Code List of Participating Schools Read More »
By Marlene Seeklander Student loan borrowers enrolled in the SAVE (Saving on a Valuable Education) program will see interest accrual begin once again. SAVE participants were placed in a zero-interest forbearance period but will see that end on July 31 and interest accrual begin on August 1. Loan repayment amounts for the SAVE program borrowers will
SAVE program zero-interest period ends July 31 Read More »
By Marlene Seeklander The StudentAid.gov site will be unavailable August 2-3, 2025. Federal Student Aid announced that they are completing maintenance to the StudentAid.gov site on August 2-3. Beginning on Saturday, August 2 at 5 p.m. (Eastern) until approximately Noon (Eastern) on Sunday, August 3 the site will be unavailable. Users will not be able to log
Upcoming outage alert for StudentAid.gov Read More »
By Marlene Seeklander Schools now have a report available to assist them in understanding the delinquency and default risks of their most recent borrowers – something that will be important as cohort default rates potentially rise. In a July 23 Electronic Announcement, the Department of Education announced the availability of the nonpayment rates by institution report, available
