Department of Education

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Department posts final 2025-26 FISAP Form and related materials

By Catherine Mueller The job of completing reporting and application requirements to participate in Title IV financial aid programs can wait, but the materials to help institutions get ready for the project are available now. In a May 20 Electronic Announcement, the Department of Education said the Fiscal Operations Report for 2023–24 and Application to Participate for […]

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Holiday closings offer opportunity to take much-needed break

By Catherine Mueller Financial aid professionals have always worked long hours but that’s been especially true the past several months. Hopefully, the upcoming holiday weekend will provide an opportunity to get away from work. Federal offices, including the Department of Education and Federal Student Aid processors and contact centers will close for the Memorial Day federal

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Accessing the 2024-25 FAFSA may be easier now for those without a Social Security number

By Catherine Mueller The gate restricting entry to the FAFSA for some students and their parents has been opened by the Department of Education. In an Electronic Announcement this week, the U.S. Department of Education said it would allow students, whose parents may not have a Social Security number, to immediately access the 2024-25 FAFSA online after creating

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Comments sought on proposed program to recognize postsecondary institutions supporting student success

By Catherine Mueller To recognize and perhaps encourage postsecondary institutions to develop student success programs on their campus, the Department of Education is considering a new awards program. In the April 25 Federal Register, the Department announced it is interested in developing an award system to recognize institutions of higher education that are supporting success across all

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Department outlines schools’ responsibilities to ensure service providers meet security certification requirements

In what it said was in response to requests for additional information, the Department of Education this week provided guidance to postsecondary institutions on the information security requirements under the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act (GLBA). In an April 24 Electronic Announcement, the Department provided additional guidance regarding information security certification requirements necessary to ensure compliance with GLBA. According

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Department issues guidelines for awarding aid based on student FAFSA record with errors

By Catherine Mueller Financial aid professionals have some leeway in awarding financial aid when it comes to using student records – as long as some guidelines are met. In a April 11 Electronic Announcement (EA), the Department of Education provided additional information about how to treat Institutional Student Information Records (ISIRs) affected by errors when making financial aid offers and

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A peek at this week’s updated FAFSA records release to schools

Financial aid professionals are getting a look at what’s in their future – at least with regards to updated student files. In an April 10 Electronic Announcement, the Department of Education detailed the school- or state-specific data file that will be delivered to Student Aid Internet Gateway (SAIG) mailboxes this week. According to the Department, the information

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Close your week with the latest in FAFSA news from the Department of Education

By Catherine Mueller It’s probably becoming a regular part of your Friday afternoons, but just in case you need a reminder – the Department of Education will provide its weekly update for financial aid professionals again this week. The Department invites professionals to join them at 3 p.m. Eastern on Friday, April 12, for a 2024-25 FAFSA:

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Servicing changes for borrowers seeking Public Service Loan Forgiveness

By Catherine Mueller Borrowers on track to receive Public Service Loan Forgiveness will soon see some changes in how their loans are serviced. The U.S. Department of Education (ED) is updating its systems and contact centers to better manage the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) process to improve the overall borrower experience. For borrowers already working

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