By Catherine Mueller Students can now practice for the ACT with materials that match the latest version of the test. ACT recently released updated practice materials for the enhanced version of its test. The ACT Practice Resources Guide provides resources for counselors to prepare students for the test. The guide includes a full-length online practice test […]
ACT releases full-length practice version of enhanced test Read More »
Higher Ed News Vol. 17 – Issue 21 Resources to make completing the 2026-27 FAFSA even easier Completing the FAFSA usually isn’t difficult, especially if students and families are prepared. Department of Education releases guidance on the use of federal student aid data Schools, state agencies, and contractors all have a role in safeguarding student
Mapping Your Future Higher Ed News – October 16, 2025 Read More »
By Catherine Mueller It’s hard to find an equilibrium. When it comes to Parent PLUS Loans, the ability of parents to borrow up to the cost of attendance minus any financial aid, meant students could attend any college where they were admitted. But it also meant parents were racking up tens of thousands if not hundreds
Borrowing Parent Loans – 2026 and beyond Read More »
By Catherine Mueller When it comes to paying for college, many students and parents face uncertainty. Will there be enough money and is this college the right decision? Along with those questions, throw in some future changes with the budget reconciliation bill and it could be enough to cause some students and parents to question any
Summary of Budget Reconciliation Changes for Students and Parents Read More »
Higher Ed News Vol. 17 – Issue 20 Department of Education issues reminder: Federal grant funds may not be used on lobbying activity Higher education officials may already know that federal grant funds cannot be used for lobbying efforts but just in case anyone didn’t know, the Department of Education sent out a reminder earlier
Mapping Your Future Higher Ed News – October 2, 2025 Read More »
Early Awareness E-News October 2025Vol. 17 – Issue 10 Launch of the 2026-27 FAFSA is the earliest in the program’s history The 2026-27 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is now available for all students to complete. Five reasons you should complete the FAFSA Completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) can
Early Awareness E-News – October 2025 Read More »
By Marlene Seeklander ACT test takers now have a shorter test and the option of taking the science section. Last spring, ACT introduced enhancements to the national test online and those enhancements have now been extended to national paper-pencil test takers. These enhancements include: According to ACT, the enhancements are designed to allow students to finish
Enhanced ACT now available to national paper-pencil test takers Read More »
By Marlene Seeklander To keep pace with the cost of living, the Department of Education recently updated the numbers used in determining whether a student qualifies for need-based federal financial aid. In a September 24 Dear Colleague Letter, the Secretary of Education announced the annual updates to the tables used in the Federal Needs Analysis
Federal Need Analysis Methodology updated for the 2026-27 Award Year Read More »
By Marlene Seeklander The national student loan default rate remains at 0% for the third year in a row. The Department of Education (ED) released their FY 2022 national default briefing and, as expected, the FY 2022 cohort default rates were affected by the pause on federal student loan payments that began in March 2020.
FY 2022 national default rate briefing released Read More »
Higher Ed News Special Edition Launch of the 2026-27 FAFSA is the earliest in the program’s history The 2026-27 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is now available for all students to complete.
Mapping Your Future Higher Ed News – Special Edition – September 25, 2025 Read More »
