By Marlene Seeklander The long-awaited processing of 2024-25 paper FAFSAs is now underway but won’t be complete until after the fall semester begins for many institutions. The Department of Education (ED) announced on July 30 that they had started processing paper FAFSA forms and an August 19 update stated that they anticipate to complete this processing […]
Updated timeline for 2024-25 FAFSA paper processing Read More »
By Marlene Seeklander Accurately completing the FISAP is important and those responsible for it can complete an online, self-paced training course. The Department announced that the 2025-26 FISAP course is now available on the FSA Training Center to assist with completing the FISAP for 2023-24 and Application to Participate for 2025-26. The FISAP, available on the
Online training available for completing the 2025-26 FISAP Read More »
By Marlene Seeklander Many schools may now need to dedicate staff to performing individual corrections to FAFSA information. In an already frustrating award cycle, the Department of Education announced that it will not offer schools the ability to do batch corrections for 2024-25 and has deferred this functionality until 2025-26. The news was released via a
Batch corrections not available for 2024-25, additional support, and flexibilities Read More »
By Marlene Seeklander The Department of Education is among the federal offices closed for the Labor Day federal holiday on Monday, September 2. The August 19 announcement states that the Federal Student Aid (FSA) processors and contact centers will be closed on September 2. All FSA websites will be operational on the holiday. The following additional
Labor Day holiday closings for federal offices Read More »
By Marlene Seeklander A flexibility that allowed students and their family members without a Social Security number to complete the 2024-25 FAFSA will be extended to the 2025-26 FAFSA. In a July 30 Electronic Announcement, the Department of Education (ED) said it will extend this flexibility to continue temporarily enabling FAFSA applicants and other contributors without
Identity validation flexibilities for those without a social security number Read More »
By Marlene Seeklander With the 2024-25 FAFSA work still underway, an important guide for 2025-26 is now available for financial aid professionals. In an August 13 Electronic Announcement, the Department of Education said the 2025–26 Student Aid Index (SAI) and Pell Grant Eligibility Guide includes information on methodology for determining eligibility for federal student aid, and
2025-26 Student Aid Index (SAI) and Pell Grant Eligibility Guide now available Read More »
By Marlene Seeklander To improve transparency, institutional accountability, and general deterrence, the Department of Education will be posting the status, including any enforcement actions, of colleges participating in federal financial aid programs. Federal Student Aid announced that starting August 14, they will post the status of Program Participation Agreements (PPAs), required of those schools participating in
School participation information posted by Federal Student Aid (FSA) Read More »
Tip of the Week Your suggestions are needed You probably have a lot to share when it comes to giving recommendations about the 2024-25 FAFSA. However, the Department is asking specific questions aimed at improving the 2025-26 experience for students, families, and institutions. A Request for Information (RFI) was posted in today’s Federal Register. In
Tip of the Week – August 14, 2024 Read More »
By Marlene Seeklander Participants can now start reviewing the FSA Training Conference session information and descriptions before registration opens in October. The Department of Education announced that program information is available for the 2024 virtual Federal Student Aid Training Conference, which will be held December 3-6. Before registration opens in October, financial aid professionals can review
2024 Virtual FSA Training Conference program information Read More »
By Marlene Seeklander Although it’s only temporary for now, financial aid professionals are getting an elevated permission status with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). The elevated status will enable schools to determine whether some non-citizens are eligible to receive federal financial aid. An August 8 Electronic Announcement outlines an interim solution to the DHS Systematic
Temporary change to DHS/SAVE process allows schools to complete third-step verification Read More »
