Tip of the Week 2026-27 FAFSA available in beta testing for some applicants Some students will have an opportunity to complete the 2026-27 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) early. Federal Student Aid (FSA) announced that the 2026-27 FAFSA is currently open to a limited number of students and contributors in their early testing […]
Tip of the Week – August 6, 2025 Read More »
Early Awareness E-News August 2025Vol. 17 – Issue 8 Summary of Budget Reconciliation Changes for Students and Parents When it comes to paying for college, many students and parents face uncertainty. Borrowing Parent Loans – 2026 and beyond It’s hard to find an equilibrium. Department of Education seeking emergency approval for updates to the 2026-27
Early Awareness E-News – August 2025 Read More »
Tip of the Week Department of Education seeking emergency approval for updates to the 2026-27 FAFSA The Department of Education is calling for emergency action to ensure a timely release of the 2026-27 FAFSA. In a Federal Register Notice published on July 29, the Department of Education is requesting emergency processing and Office of Budget
Tip of the Week – July 30, 2025 Read More »
Higher Ed News Vol. 17 – Issue 15 Certain Budget Reconciliation Bill changes effective upon enactment Financial aid administrators will want to make note that certain provisions of the Budget Reconciliation Bill were effective upon enactment. Borrowing Parent Loans – 2026 and beyond It’s hard to find an equilibrium. Changes to V4 and V5 verification
Mapping Your Future Higher Ed News – July 24, 2025 Read More »
By Marlene Seeklander A financial aid offer is often a key component of the college decision making process. Financial aid offers are not always alike and comparing offers can be challenging. To effectively review offers, here are some key points: While financial aid offers may differ in appearance from college to college, this sample College Financing
Financial Aid Offers – A closer look Read More »
Tip of the Week Borrowing Parent Loans – 2026 and beyond 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
Tip of the Week – July 23, 2025 Read More »
By Marlene Seeklander To add or update staff access to federal student aid systems, schools will now make those changes through FSA Partner Connect. In a July 14 Electronic Announcement, Federal Student Aid (FSA) announced that FSA Partner Connect is now the primary enrollment and user management service for schools and other organizations. This allows them
Staff enrollment for access to federal aid functions now through FSA Partner Connect Read More »
By Marlene Seeklander With the end of July deadline looming, the Department of Education is providing additional guidance to those schools that have not yet closed out their 2023-24 Direct Loan program year. In a recent Electronic Announcement, the Department provided additional information to supplement guidance provided in two earlier Electronic Announcements on February 20 and
2023-24 Direct Loan closeout deadline nears; Department provides additional information Read More »
By Marlene Seeklander In preparation for the upcoming FAFSA cycle, financial aid professionals will want to review the most 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: Along with the new volumes that have been added, updates have also
Additional updates to 2026-27 FAFSA Specifications Guide Read More »
Tip of the Week Something to cry over Keep the tissue box handy. Sure, you have it there for the students who come in your office. But you might have been the one needing it this summer as news broke about all the changes that will impact higher education. So, if this summer (or maybe
Tip of the Week – July 16, 2025 Read More »
