Department of Education

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2025-26 FSA Handbook Volume 8 – The Direct Loan Program – now available

Newsroom, Department of Education / By

By Marlene Seeklander You may want to update your financial aid reading list with the latest volume of the 2025-26 Federal Student Aid Handbook that has just been released by the Department of Education (ED). A June 5 Electronic Announcement from ED announced the availability of Volume 8 – The Direct Loan Program. This volume includes information for schools […]

2025-26 FSA Handbook Volume 8 – The Direct Loan Program – now available Read More »

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Updates to 2026-27 FAFSA Specifications Guide

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By Marlene Seeklander You can make a note on your 2026-27 planning list to check out the recent additions to the 2026-27 FAFSA Specifications Guide. The Department of Education recently announced the addition of several volumes to the 2026-27 FAFSA Specifications Guide. These volumes include: Throughout the 2026-27 cycle, the Knowledge Center website will be updated with changes to the FAFSA

Updates to 2026-27 FAFSA Specifications Guide Read More »

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Direct Loan interest rates for loans first disbursed on or after July 1, 2025 announced

Newsroom, Department of Education, Paying for College, Student Loans / By

By Marlene Seeklander Student loan borrowers will see slightly lower interest rates starting July 1 for Direct Loans borrowed on or after July 1, 2025. The new interest rates were announced by the Department of Education in a May 30 Electronic Announcement. The interest rate is a fixed rate for the life of the loan. For Direct

Direct Loan interest rates for loans first disbursed on or after July 1, 2025 announced Read More »

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Upcoming Federal Student Aid webinar with Q&A format

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By Marlene Seeklander Financial aid professionals will have the opportunity in a June webinar to ask questions about recently released Department of Education (ED) and Federal Student Aid (FSA) guidance. In an Electronic Announcement this month, ED announced an upcoming webinar that will focus on topics presented in the Federal Update presentation held earlier this year.

Upcoming Federal Student Aid webinar with Q&A format Read More »

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2024-25 award year training courses on the FSA Training Center will be removed soon

Newsroom, Department of Education / By

By Marlene Seeklander Financial aid professionals who need to finish any of the 2024-25 award year specific training courses need to do so soon before the courses are removed. Since most of the online courses in the FSA Training Center are award year specific, the 2024-25 training courses will be removed on June 27 and replaced

2024-25 award year training courses on the FSA Training Center will be removed soon Read More »

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Campus-Based school testing for reporting Federal Work Study wages now available

Newsroom, Department of Education / By

By Marlene Seeklander Schools needing to report Federal Work Study (FWS) wages are encouraged to send a test file 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 21 through September 30, 2025, for

Campus-Based school testing for reporting Federal Work Study wages now available Read More »

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Closeout deadline for 2023-24 Direct Loan Program year

Newsroom, Department of Education, Student Loans / By

By Marlene Seeklander Schools that have not yet closed out their 2023-24 Direct Loan Program year need to make note of the upcoming closeout deadline. A May 19 Electronic Announcement reminds schools that Thursday, July 31, 2025, is the closeout deadline and last processing day before the end of the program year. This means that all

Closeout deadline for 2023-24 Direct Loan Program year Read More »

Dark blue folder with FAFSA Free Application for Federal Student Aid on the front.

Updated draft 2026-27 Federal Student Aid Application materials available

Newsroom, Department of Education / By

By Marlene Seeklander Draft versions of the 2026-27 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FASFA) are now available for public comment. In a May 16 Electronic Announcement, the Department of Education (ED) announced the availability of the draft forms and invited public comments. ED is only seeking comments regarding the FAFSA form and the FAFSA Submission

Updated draft 2026-27 Federal Student Aid Application materials available Read More »

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Use and Disclosure of Federal Tax information and FAFSA Data training available

Newsroom, Department of Education / By

By Marlene Seeklander New financial aid professionals will likely benefit the most from a new training course on the handling of student data, but experienced professionals may want to attend the course as a refresher. The FSA Training Center includes a learning track – 2025-26 Use and Disclosure of Federal Tax Information and FAFSA Data –

Use and Disclosure of Federal Tax information and FAFSA Data training available Read More »

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