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 While financial aid professionals are in the midst of processing FAFSAs and making corrections for the upcoming school year, the deadline for another important responsibility is looming. In a July 21 Electronic Announcement, the Department of Education reminded schools about the availability of the 2026-27 FISAP on the Common Origination and Disbursement (COD) website. The deadline
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 »
By Marlene Seeklander Scammers are out in full force, and we are all targets. You quickly look through messages on your mobile device. There’s a text or an email marked with high importance from your bank. Your account has been compromised, you need to act immediately and click on the link provided to verify your identity,
Tips for protecting yourself from email scams Read More »
By Marlene Seeklander Schools can now begin reporting Financial Value Transparency and Gainful Employment (FVT/GE) data for the just-completed academic year. In a recent Electronic Announcement, the Department of Education reminded schools that the data reporting for the 2025 cycle – which includes the 2024-25 award year – started on July 1 and runs through October
FVT/GE Required Reporting for the 2025 Cycle reminder Read More »
By Marlene Seeklander The clock is ticking for schools to release any 2024-25 campus-based funds which haven’t been used. A July 10 Electronic Announcement outlines the reallocation process, the availability of the 2024-25 Campus-Based Reallocation Form, and what schools need to do to request supplemental funds for 2025-26. The Department of Education advises that schools review their current
Reallocation of 2024-25 campus-based funds Read More »
