FAFSA resources

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Contributing to a student’s FAFSA when the invite isn’t received

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By Catherine Mueller Sure, sometimes high school students don’t want to invite their parents to something, but in the case of the FAFSA, most students need to invite their parents. Students completing the 2026-27 FAFSA (if they are determined to be dependent students) are asked to invite their parent or parents to contribute to the FAFSA. Students only need to […]

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Photo of the top edge of a federal tax return.

Why your college may ask for a tax transcript and how to get one

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By Catherine Mueller Just when you think you have completed all the financial aid applications, your college financial aid office notifies you they need an IRS tax transcript. The request is part of the verification process – something that any postsecondary institution offering federal financial aid must do. College and university financial aid offices are

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Individual adding numbers on calculator.

Things to know when calculating assets for the 2026-27 FAFSA

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By Catherine Mueller While several steps have been taken to simplify the FAFSA, students and parents often still have questions about calculating the value of assets. To help students and parents understand and be prepared to answer the asset questions, here are some things to know: To determine the value of an investment, the student or

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FAFSA handwritten in a note. Free Application for Federal Student Aid.

Students completing the FAFSA to be notified about colleges with lower earnings

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By Marlene Seeklander Students completing the FAFSA now have additional information when deciding which college they may want to attend. In a December 8 Electronic Announcement, the Department of Education announced the implementation of a new lower earnings indicator as part of the FAFSA. This indicator—effective December 7, 2025, and only applicable to first-year undergraduate students—provides

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Computer keyboard with FAFSA button

FAFSA field adjustment resolves issue of reporting an address within the U.S. territories

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By Marlene Seeklander FAFSA users who previously encountered an issue when attempting to report their address within the U.S. territories, including Puerto Rico, should no longer encounter an issue. In a December 4 Electronic Announcement, the Department of Education announced that on December 7 an update to adjust some users’ state and country  code information was

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2026-2027 FAFSA information to be verified and acceptable documentation

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By Marlene Seeklander Financial aid professionals can now plan for the upcoming FAFSA verification season with the latest guidance from the Department of Education. In a November 26 Dear Colleague Letter, the Department of Education details the changes in verification for 2026-27 and provides suggested text for schools to use in requesting additional documentation from students.

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Female sitting at desk working on laptop computer.

Department provides new student data test files with Budget Reconciliation changes

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By Marlene Seeklander Colleges and state agencies which receive student FAFSA data can now better prepare for the 2026-27 academic year with some updated test records.                                     In a recent update to an earlier Electronic Announcement, the Department of Education announced that it has published an additional set of system-generated 2026-27 ISIRs. These ISIRs include updates to

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FAFSA spelled out with blocks and stack of books with a piggy bank on top.

The importance of a FAFSA Submission Summary

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By Catherine Mueller The FAFSA Submission Summary may be the unsung hero of the financial aid process. The FAFSA Submission Summary doesn’t get as much attention as the FAFSA application or as the financial aid offer, but it’s an important part of the process and may help a student find a college that’s a good financial

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View between two columns with a tree and a watch tower in the background at Iowa State University

2026-27 Federal School Code List of Participating Schools

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By Marlene Seeklander The Federal School Code List – a key component of the FAFSA – has been updated by the Department of Education for 2026-27. The Department announced the availability of the 2026–27 Federal School Code (FSC) List of Participating Schools. Students enter these codes on the FAFSA in order for the postsecondary schools to

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

Student Aid Index – A deeper dive

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By Marlene Seeklander What exactly is the Student Aid Index (SAI) calculated by the FAFSA? While the SAI isn’t a new concept – it replaced the Expected Family Contribution (EFC) starting with the 2024-25 FAFSA – it may cause some confusion for students and families. The SAI, based on a range from –1500 to 999999, is

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