By Marlene Seeklander There’s nothing like being prepared to make something a little easier and less stressful, including completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). With the launch of the 2027-28 FAFSA by October 1, 2026, students and families can start doing some prep work in advance. Federal Student Aid encourages students and families […]
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By Catherine Mueller Most high school seniors anxiously await life after high school. Many are ready to pursue their dreams. And while that life offers new-found freedoms, those same seniors may experience stress over the responsibilities that come with those freedoms. Your senior year is a time to dream of the future and think about
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By Marlene Seeklander The testing of the 2027-28 FAFSA continues to move forward, allowing some students and families to complete the FAFSA form early. In an August 25 update to a July 21 Electronic Announcement, the Department of Education announced the launch of the second phase of the 2027-28 FAFSA beta testing period. Students and contributors
Department of Education announces the launch of Beta 2 testing for 2027-28 FAFSA Read More »
By Catherine Mueller Student loans have gotten a lot of press in the past few years and most of it has not been good. For some students, the headlines and stories are enough to scare them away from taking out any student loans – even it means not pursuing or postponing education beyond high school. And
The good and bad of student loans Read More »
By Marlene Seeklander Students in a handful of select locations could have the opportunity to complete the 2027-28 FAFSA early as a part of the Department of Education’s beta testing. On August 7, the Department updated a July 21 Electronic Announcement and announced that they have launched the first phase of the 2027-28 beta testing with
2027-28 FAFSA beta testing phase one launched Read More »
By Marlene Seeklander Starting your senior year is an exciting time in life. During your senior year, you will finalize your college choice, if you haven’t already. This year will be filled with admission applications, scholarship essays, financial aid information, and the need to meet deadlines. Throughout your senior year, continue to build your resume by
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By Marlene Seeklander An updated 2026-27 Federal School Code List, which plays a key role in the FAFSA, has been released by the Department of Education (the Department). The Department announced the availability of the updated 2026–27 Federal School Code (FSC) List of Participating Schools. Although it’s usually not necessary, students can enter these codes on
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By Catherine Mueller Students completing the FAFSA will no longer have to wait to view their FAFSA Submission Summary. This summer, the U.S. Department of Education announced they have launched a processing enhancement that allows students to immediately view their FAFSA Submission Summary when signing and submitting an initial application or correction of a 2025-26 or
FAFSA results now available in real time Read More »
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 »
By Catherine Mueller Financial aid professionals and software providers now have another resource to prepare for 2027-28 financial aid awards. In a July 22 update to a May 5 Electronic Announcement, the Department said it made two updates to the 2027-28 FAFSA Specifications Guide, adding an ISIR Test File for the upcoming year under Volume 9
2027-28 FAFSA student record file now available for testing Read More »
