Paying for College

Blue clipboard with white paper next to computer keyboard that says FAFSA - Free Application for Federal Student Aid

Updates to 2026-27 FAFSA Specifications Guide

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By Marlene Seeklander You can make a note on your 2026-27 planning list to check out the 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: Throughout the 2026-27 cycle, the Knowledge Center website will be updated with changes to the FAFSA […]

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2025-2026 Federal Pell Grant award amounts confirmed

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By Marlene Seeklander The minimum and maximum Federal Pell Grant amounts for 2025-2026, through the Full-Year Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act, 2025, that were previously announced are correct. In a May 29 update to an earlier Dear Colleague Letter, the Department of Education noted that the previously announced Federal Pell Grant maximum and minimum award amounts

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Direct Loan interest rates for loans first disbursed on or after July 1, 2025 announced

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By Marlene Seeklander Student loan borrowers will see slightly lower interest rates starting July 1 for Direct Loans borrowed on or after July 1, 2025. The new interest rates were announced by the Department of Education in a May 30 Electronic Announcement. The interest rate is a fixed rate for the life of the loan. For Direct

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June tasks for high school seniors

Newsroom, College preparation, FAFSA resources, Mapping Your Future features, Paying for College / By

By Marlene Seeklander Congratulations on your graduation from high school! Like most high school graduates, you may be just now catching your breath after all the activity surrounding the end of the senior year. It’s a good time for you to relax and reflect on your accomplishments. But once you’ve had some time to consider all

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Expanded late disbursement flexibilities for 2024-25 FAFSA forms and FAFSA processing error issues

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By Marlene Seeklander Students impacted by an issue that prevented an official SAI (Student Aid Index) from being calculated may now be eligible to receive a Title IV loan. In a May 27, 2025 Electronic Announcement, the Department of Education (ED) announced that they are amending and extending flexibilities for late disbursements that were published in

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Most recent 2025-26 Federal School Code List now available

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By Marlene Seeklander The Federal School Code List – a key component of the FASFA – has been updated by Federal Student Aid (FSA). A recent Electronic Announcement provided information on the most recent 2025–26 Federal School Code (FSC) List of Participating Schools.  Students sometimes enter these codes on the FAFSA in order for colleges to

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Dark blue folder with FAFSA Free Application for Federal Student Aid on the front.

2025-26 FAFSA spring renewal campaign reminders sent

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By Marlene Seeklander Despite the importance of students and parents completing a renewal FAFSA, it’s understandable that because of their busy lives, they still sometimes need a reminder to complete the form. In an April 23 Electronic Announcement, the Department of Education announced that between April 14 and 22 they emailed 2024-25 FAFSA filers (and parents

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2024-25 verification reporting reminders and “W” warning message

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By Marlene Seeklander Schools may need to update verification records soon or possibly risk having their students considered to be in an over-award situation. A recent Electronic Announcement outlined several verification reminders for schools that should be reviewed to ensure compliance. Beginning April 23, the Department started sending messages to schools with one or more 2024-25

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