Newsroom

Photo of an hourglass on a paper calendar

Financial aid peak processing season – reminders for 2025-26

Newsroom, Department of Education / By

By Marlene Seeklander With the start of the 2025-26 school year, the Department of Education is reminding schools that processing financial aid may take longer during this peak season. In an announcement, the Department shared the following peak processing reminders for the Common Origination and Disbursement (COD) system: Questions can be directed to the FSA Partner […]

Financial aid peak processing season – reminders for 2025-26 Read More »

Mapping Your Future Higher Ed News – August 21, 2025

Newsroom, Higher Ed News, Latest, Newsletters, Popular / By

Higher Ed News Vol. 17 – Issue 17 2026-27 FAFSA Preview Presentation now available Financial aid and college access professionals can now access Information and screenshots for the 2026-27 FAFSA to use for planning purposes, communicating changes, and training. Verification reporting available soon; deadlines adjusted Although financial aid professionals still face some deadlines for “verification

Mapping Your Future Higher Ed News – August 21, 2025 Read More »

Picture of a building on a college campus

Department of Education updates guidance on use of Federal Work Study funds for distributing voter registration information

Newsroom, Department of Education / By

By Marlene Seeklander Institutions will want to take note of updated guidance on the distribution of voter registration information and the allowable use of Federal Work Study (FWS) funds for these activities. On August 19, 2025, the Department of Education (ED) released a Dear Colleague letter GEN-25-05 outlining their interpretation of the allowable use of Federal

Department of Education updates guidance on use of Federal Work Study funds for distributing voter registration information Read More »

Photo of the top edge of a federal tax return.

IRS Tax Return Transcript Matrix for 2025-26 Verification now available

Newsroom, Department of Education, FAFSA resources / By

By Marlene Seeklander Although the 2025-26 FAFSA processing cycle has been underway for months, the Department of Education has just released the 2023 IRS Tax Return Transcript Matrix. The August 14 Electronic Announcement includes the 2023 IRS Tax Return Transcript Matrix in Excel format. The matrix is designed to assist financial aid administrators in mapping the

IRS Tax Return Transcript Matrix for 2025-26 Verification now available Read More »

School supplies on desk against library shelf

2025-26 FSA Handbook Volume 9 – The TEACH Grant Program – now available

Newsroom, Department of Education / By

By Marlene Seeklander Financial aid professionals, whose schools participate in the TEACH Grant Program will want to update their reading list with the latest volume of the 2025-26 Federal Student Aid Handbook. A recent Electronic Announcement from ED announced the availability of Volume 9 – The TEACH Grant Program. This volume includes information for schools about the eligibility requirements

2025-26 FSA Handbook Volume 9 – The TEACH Grant Program – now available Read More »

Tip of the Week – August 20, 2025

Newsroom, Financial Literacy, Latest, Newsletters, Tip of the Week / By

Tip of the Week 2026-27 FAFSA Preview Presentation now available Financial aid and college access professionals can now access Information and screenshots for the 2026-27 FAFSA to use for planning purposes, communicating changes, and training. An August 14 Electronic Announcement from Federal Student Aid (FSA) includes a presentation and PDF file with information and screenshots of the

Tip of the Week – August 20, 2025 Read More »

Magnifying glass with FAFSA being magnified

2026-27 FAFSA Preview Presentation now available

Newsroom, Department of Education, FAFSA resources / By

By Marlene Seeklander Financial aid and college access professionals can now access information and screenshots for the 2026-27 FAFSA to use for planning purposes, communicating changes, and training. An August 14 Electronic Announcement from Federal Student Aid (FSA) includes a presentation and PDF file with information and screenshots of the 2026–27 online FAFSA form. The screenshots can be

2026-27 FAFSA Preview Presentation now available Read More »

Columns on the Supreme Court building

Department of Education announces key changes to 2026-27 FAFSA Form and Pell Grant Eligibility Updates

Newsroom, Department of Education / By

By Marlene Seeklander The Department of Education has outlined specifics on how federal budget reconciliation will impact the FAFSA form and Pell Grant eligibility. In an August 15 Electronic Announcement, the Department provided information about the key changes to the 2026-27 FAFSA and Federal Pell Grant eligibility that were part of the Budget Reconciliation Bill signed

Department of Education announces key changes to 2026-27 FAFSA Form and Pell Grant Eligibility Updates Read More »

Open laptop with several post-it note pads

FSA Fundamentals Training Series available to new and experienced professionals

Newsroom, Department of Education, Mapping Your Future features / By

By Marlene Seeklander Financial aid professionals know that understanding the basics is critical to administering federal student aid. For those who are new to financial aid or want a refresher on the basics, the Department of Education’s Office of Federal Student Aid (FSA) offers a Fundamentals Training Series. The FSA Fundamentals Training Series consists of: To

FSA Fundamentals Training Series available to new and experienced professionals Read More »

Man working on laptop computer at a desk.

Verification reporting available soon; deadlines adjusted

Newsroom, Department of Education / By

By Marlene Seeklander Although financial aid professionals still face some deadlines for “verification of identity” reporting, the Department of Education has revised those deadlines somewhat due to a delay with the reporting system. In an August 12 Electronic Announcement, the Department of Education said the reporting deadlines would be adjusted to match the availability of the

Verification reporting available soon; deadlines adjusted Read More »

Scroll to Top