By Catherine Mueller Preparing for college can be both exciting and stressful at the same time. For many students, senior year is a time to dream of the future and think about all the possibilities their life could hold. But college preparation also means paying attention to details, completing paperwork, and keeping track of deadlines. Therefore, […]
September tasks for high school seniors Read More »
By Marlene Seeklander Interested community-based organizations (CBOs) can apply to participate in the first beta testing period of the 2025-26 FAFSA. The Department announced that interested CBOs can submit an interest form to participate in the BETA 1 testing period. Interested CBOs will have until the September 5 deadline to submit the interest form and describe
2025-26 FAFSA Beta 1 Interest Form available Read More »
By Marlene Seeklander Federal Student Aid (FSA) recently announced the launch of their 2024-25 Learning Tracks and Training Courses, which have been revised to incorporate changes made through FAFSA Simplification and other guidance. According to an FSA announcement, financial aid professionals should find the training more engaging, interactive, and modern. Whether a comprehensive or a more
New and enhanced training available on the FSA Training Center Read More »
Tip of the Week Your input on the FAFSA is valuable If you ever wondered how making something easy can be really difficult, then look no further than the 2024-25 FAFSA. While the new process in theory may be easier, the problem is there are, in reality, a lot of moving parts necessary to make
Tip of the Week – August 28, 2024 Read More »
By Marlene Seeklander Some reading material that will help you start your 2025-26 planning is now available. FSA announced the availability of the 2025–26 FAFSA Specifications Guide. This guide will assist schools and other FSA partners in incorporating the functionality of the electronic FAFSA into their institutional systems. FSA will post volumes of the guide throughout fall
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By Marlene Seeklander As schools are ramping up for the start of the 2024-25 school year, the COD system is doing the same. In an announcement from the Department, the following peak processing reminders were shared: Questions can be directed to the FSA Partner and School Relations Center at 1-800-848-0978 or via email at CODSupport@ed.gov.
COD system peak processing reminders Read More »
By Marlene Seeklander There’s one item that you may want to have near the top of your financial aid reading list. An August 23 Electronic Announcement from ED announced the availability of the Appendices of the 2024-25 Federal Student Aid Handbook. The Appendices, which includes general interest information that isn’t appropriate for just one volume of
2024-25 FSA Handbook Appendices now available Read More »
By Marlene Seeklander This past academic year has been one of change for the Department of Education and, as a result, for financial aid professionals. To help financial aid professionals with the changes, Federal Student Aid (FSA) has made available a video about making corrections in the FAFSA Partner Portal. To access the video: No-cost technical
FAFSA Partner Portal corrections training resource Read More »
Higher Ed News Vol. 16 – Issue 18 2025-26 Student Aid Index (SAI) and Pell Grant Eligibility Guide now available With the 2024-25 FAFSA work still underway, an important guide for 2025-26 is now available for financial aid professionals. School participation information posted by Federal Student Aid (FSA) To improve transparency, institutional accountability, and general
Mapping Your Future Higher Ed News – August 22, 2024 Read More »
When we’re under stress or facing an urgent situation, relief can sometimes come in the most unlikely of places or ways. My husband and I moved across the country several years ago. We were overwhelmed and under time pressure. As we packed, I helped my husband sort through boxes from his childhood. While I wanted
Just what you need in case of emergency Read More »
