By Catherine Mueller Students seeking financial aid for the 2025-26 academic year should plan to complete the FAFSA after December 1, 2024. Normally, the FAFSA is released on October 1, but the U.S. Department of Education is delaying the release of the FAFSA to have time for more testing. The testing is aimed at avoiding some […]
Students can complete the 2025-26 FAFSA in December Read More »
By Marlene Seeklander Schools, colleges, and organizations can now apply to be a part of the next couple of rounds of testing for the 2025-26 FAFSA. The Department of Education announced that community-based organizations, high schools, school districts representing multiple schools, county and state organizations, and higher education institutions can submit an interest form to participate
Another opportunity to test the 2025-26 FAFSA now available Read More »
By Marlene Seeklander More tools are available for your 2025-26 award year planning. A recent Dear Colleague Letter from the Department details the changes in verification for 2025-26 and provides suggested text for schools to use. According to the Department, the verification process for 2025-26 is essentially unchanged. Federal tax information (FTI) transferred via the FA-DDX
2025-2026 FAFSA information to be verified and acceptable documentation Read More »
By Marlene Seeklander As you start your planning list for the 2025-26 award year, you can add verification requirements to the list. The Department of Education announced the publication of the Federal Register notice outlining the 2025-26 FAFSA information that schools and applicants may be required to verify, including the acceptable documentation.
2025-26 FAFSA information to be verified Read More »
By Catherine Mueller For many students, pursuing a graduate or professional degree can provide important career advantages, but for some students an advanced degree is not possible without financial aid. Whether you plan to pursue a graduate program right after completing your undergrad degree or if you’ve taken a few years off, there are some things
Five important things you should know about financial aid for graduate school Read More »
By Marlene Seeklander Although the 2024-25 FAFSA processing cycle has been underway for months, the Department of Education has just released the 2022 IRS Tax Return Transcript Matrix. The August 29 Electronic Announcement includes the 2022 IRS Tax Return Transcript Matrix in Excel format. The matrix is designed to assist financial aid administrators in mapping the
IRS Tax Return Transcript Matrix for 2024-25 Verification now available 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 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
2025-26 FAFSA Specifications Guide Read More »
By Marlene Seeklander To have time for more testing, the release of the 2025-26 FAFSA will be delayed until on or before December 1. The Department earlier indicated they planned to release the 2025-26 FAFSA on October 1 since the form would be unchanged from 2024-25. However, industry groups called on the Department to avoid a
2025-26 FAFSA will be available on or before December 1 Read More »
You might be tired of talking about it. As a financial aid professional, you’ve probably answered more than enough questions already about the FAFSA. You’ve likely answered a ton of questions from students, faculty, and administrators. Some have just heard about this year’s FAFSA issues and wonder if it’s had any impact on you. Yeah,
The FAFSA impact – 8 things to discuss Read More »
