Newsroom

U.S. flag waving

Federal holiday processing and hours for February 17, 2025

By Marlene Seeklander If you are working on February 17, don’t forget that federal offices will be closed to observe Washington’s Birthday. The Department of Education recently announced the processing schedule and customer service hours for the various Federal Student Aid centers. The FAFSA Processing System (FPS) will accept data on February 17 but will not […]

Federal holiday processing and hours for February 17, 2025 Read More »

Mapping Your Future Higher Ed News – February 6, 2025

Higher Ed News Vol. 17 – Issue 3 2025-2026 Federal Pell Grant award amounts The minimum and maximum Federal Pell Grant amount for 2025-2026 remains unchanged from 2024-2025. Draft 2026-27 FAFSA application materials available for comment While many students and parents are completing the 2025-26 FAFSA, the Department of Education is already looking ahead to

Mapping Your Future Higher Ed News – February 6, 2025 Read More »

Person working on laptop keyboard at desk

Updated NSLDS Transfer Student Monitoring & Financial Aid History User Guide and Record Layouts available

By Marlene Seeklander Financial aid professionals now have updated NSLDS tools available for their use. The National Student Loan Data System (NSLDS) has announced the availability of the updated NSLDS Transfer Student Monitoring & Financial Aid History User Guide and Record Layouts. A PDF version of the document is also included in the announcement. The January

Updated NSLDS Transfer Student Monitoring & Financial Aid History User Guide and Record Layouts available Read More »

A young man and an older man looking at paperwork

A month that could change a life

By Catherine Mueller Financial aid awareness really needs a year-long celebration. Even though February is the only official recognition of financial aid awareness, financial aid professionals and many others are observing it every day. In reality, there shouldn’t be only one month dedicated to financial aid awareness – it needs to be an everyday occurrence when

A month that could change a life Read More »

Tip of the Week – February 5, 2025

Tip of the Week A month that could change a life Financial aid awareness really needs a year-long celebration. Even though February is the only official recognition of financial aid awareness, financial aid professionals and many others are observing it every day. In reality, there shouldn’t be only one month dedicated to financial aid awareness

Tip of the Week – February 5, 2025 Read More »

Close up of dollar cash money and piggy bank on table

2025-2026 Federal Pell Grant award amounts

By Marlene Seeklander The minimum and maximum Federal Pell Grant amount for 2025-2026 remains unchanged from 2024-2025. In a recent Dear Colleague Letter, the Department of Education released the Federal Pell Grant maximum and minimum award amounts for the 2025-2026 award year (July 1, 2025 through June 30, 2026). The maximum Pell Grant award remains at

2025-2026 Federal Pell Grant award amounts Read More »

Individual adding numbers on calculator.

Tentative 2025–26 Funding Levels available for Campus-Based Programs

By Marlene Seeklander Knowing the tentative amounts of funding is a key component in the 2025-26 award year planning process for financial aid professionals. In a recent Electronic Announcement, the Department of Education announced that the Tentative funding levels and worksheets for Federal Work-Study (FWS) and Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG) programs for the 2025-26

Tentative 2025–26 Funding Levels available for Campus-Based Programs Read More »

Photo of a college campus with building in background.

Updated 2025-26 Federal School Code List now available

By Marlene Seeklander A key component of the FAFSA – the Federal School Code List – has been updated by the Department of Education. The Department announced the availability of the updated 2025–26 Federal School Code (FSC) List of Participating Schools.  Students sometimes enter these codes on the FAFSA in order for the postsecondary schools to

Updated 2025-26 Federal School Code List now available Read More »

several pairs of students with books lying on the grass in the Park.

Early Awareness E-News – February 2025

Early Awareness E-News February 2025Vol. 17 – Issue 2 What does dependent mean for the FAFSA? Not claimed as a dependent on your parent’s taxes?  Questions to ask yourself before applying for scholarships Students should apply for as many scholarships as possible. Four tips to avoid missing important scholarship deadlines If you don’t meet the

Early Awareness E-News – February 2025 Read More »

FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) text on graduation cap and money.

What happens after you submit the FAFSA?

By Marlene Seeklander Students often have lots of questions about “what happens next” with the financial aid process. The general answer to all the questions is students who have submitted a FAFSA have now taken their first step to determine eligibility for financial aid. There are many specific things that happen now that a FAFSA has

What happens after you submit the FAFSA? Read More »

Scroll to Top