Higher Ed News Vol. 18 – Issue 3 A month that could change a life Financial aid awareness really needs a year-long celebration. Department publishes information to assist schools with reconciling financial aid programs Financial aid professionals looking for a little more guidance on reconciling federal financial aid programs have now received some from the […]
Mapping Your Future Higher Ed News – February 5, 2026 Read More »
Tip of the Week A month that could change a life Financial aid awareness really needs a year-long celebration. Even though February is the only official recognition of financial aid awareness, financial aid professionals and many others are observing it every day. In reality, there shouldn’t be only one month dedicated to financial aid awareness
Tip of the Week – February 4, 2026 Read More »
By Marlene Seeklander Financial aid professionals can stay current with how to handle federal financial aid data with updated training modules now available. Federal Student Aid recently announced that they have updated the “Aid Application Process” training track with the latest information and guidance that was published in the September 30 Dear Colleague Letter (DCL) GEN-25-08.
Federal Student Aid updates “Aid Application Process” training track Read More »
Early Awareness E-News February 2026Vol. 18 – Issue 2 Pell Grant award amounts remain flat for 2026-27 academic year The maximum amount a student could receive in Federal Pell Grant funding for college will remain unchanged for the 2026-27 academic year – at least for now. Why your college may ask for a tax transcript
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By Marlene Seeklander Financial aid professionals looking for a little more guidance on reconciling federal financial aid programs have now received some from the Department of Education. On January 27, the Department released an Electronic Announcement that provides more specific information to assist schools in reconciling the Direct Loan, Pell Grant, and TEACH Grant programs. Reconciliation
Tip of the Week Weathering the storm Weather, particularly in the winter, can often be unpredictable. This past weekend the weather was a dominating force in the lives of many across the country. The Weather Channel dubbed the event Winter Storm Fern. If you were impacted by the weather this past weekend, you most likely
Tip of the Week – January 28, 2026 Read More »
By Marlene Seeklander The Department of Education is seeking nominations for individuals to serve on the upcoming Negotiated Rulemaking Committee. A January 27 Federal Register Notice outlined the intent to establish a Negotiated Rulemaking Committee that will prepare proposed regulations focusing on accrediting agencies and related institutional eligibility requirements under Title IV of the Higher Education
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By Marlene Seeklander Because the FAFSA Specifications Guides are such a useful tool, financial aid professionals will want to make note of several recent updates to both the 2025-26 and 2026-27 guides. The Department of Education recently announced updates to several important volumes of the guides, such as Volume 5 – Edits and Rejects and Volume 6
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Higher Ed News Vol. 18 – Issue 2 Registration for the 2026 FSA Training Conference requires action by January 23 Schools interested in attending the upcoming Federal Student Aid (FSA) Conference need to act by January 23 to express interest in attending. Department delays collections on student loans Borrowers, who have defaulted on the federal
Mapping Your Future Higher Ed News – January 22, 2026 Read More »
Tip of the Week Change of plans “Life is short, see as much art as you can!” That’s what my sister said to me, trying to convince me to come to St. Louis this weekend so I could see the Anselm Kiefer exhibit “Becoming the Sea” at the St. Louis Art Museum. When I read
Tip of the Week – January 21, 2026 Read More »
