By Marlene Seeklander Schools and other organizations will soon be able to test the Common Origination and Disbursement (COD) system for the 2026-27 award year. In a January 7 Electronic Announcement, the Department of Education announced that the FSA Partner and School Relations Center will allow school testing of the COD system for the 2026-27 award […]
COD school testing for the 2026-27 award year available soon Read More »
Tip of the Week Auld Lang Syne Often my appreciation for the precious is late in arriving. It may be something I’ve taken for granted, seen or heard but never took the time to understand. Sometimes, it just takes a nudge to help me grow in my appreciation. Such was the case this past holiday
Tip of the Week – January 7, 2026 Read More »
Early Awareness E-News January 2026Vol. 18 – Issue 1 Historic milestone reached in FAFSA completions More students completed the 2026-27 FAFSA as of late December – at a rate more than double the previous year, according to the Department of Education. Five steps to obtain proof of federal tax return non-filing At first the request
Early Awareness E-News – January 2026 Read More »
By Marlene Seeklander POET is offering scholarships to help students take that big step to pursuing their aspirations. POET, a South Dakota based company that has expanded across the Midwest, is awarding up to $75,000 in scholarships to students who are never satisfied with “good enough” and share POET’s mission to create a brighter future. The
POET offers “Never Satisfied Scholarships” Read More »
By Marlene Seeklander Financial aid administrators often face a complex process for determining eligibility for mid-year transfer students. Mid-year transfer students – those who transfer from one school to another during the award year – understandably want to transfer their financial aid to their new school. However, the process of determining eligibility and packaging Title IV
FSA offers “Mid-year Transfer Students” learning track Read More »
By Catherine Mueller Just when you think you have completed all the financial aid applications, your college financial aid office notifies you they need an IRS tax transcript. The request is part of the verification process – something that any postsecondary institution offering federal financial aid must do. College and university financial aid offices are
Why your college may ask for a tax transcript and how to get one Read More »
Higher Ed News Vol. 17 – Issue 25 Students completing the FAFSA to be notified about colleges with lower earnings Students completing the FAFSA now have additional information when deciding which college they may want to attend. Federal Student Aid Training Conference to be held March 4-6, 2026 After several years of hosting a virtual
Mapping Your Future Higher Ed News – December 18, 2025 Read More »
By Marlene Seeklander Financial aid professionals can now add the latest volumes of the 2025-26 Federal Student Aid Handbook to their financial aid reading list. The December 11 Electronic Announcement from the Department of Education announced the availability of Volume 1 – Student Eligibility, Volume 4 – Processing Aid and Managing FSA Funds, and Volume 6 – The Campus-Based Programs.
Additional volumes of 2025-26 Federal Student Aid Handbook now available Read More »
By Marlene Seeklander Students who want to take the ACT in February, either for the first time or to improve their score, have until early January to register. The regular registration deadline is Friday, January 9 for the February 14 ACT test. After January 9, students can register for the February test up until January 23
February 2026 ACT registration deadline approaching soon Read More »
Higher Ed News Vol. 17 – Issue 24 Keeping up the FAFSA momentum After years of hard work among financial aid and college access professionals, it was precious good news. 2026-2027 FAFSA information to be verified and acceptable documentation Financial aid professionals can now plan for the upcoming FAFSA verification season with the latest
Mapping Your Future Higher Ed News – December 4, 2025 Read More »
