Paying for College

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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

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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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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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Mapping Your Future hosts scholarship strategies webinar – recording now available

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By Marlene Seeklander Scholarships can sometimes mean the difference between having enough money for a college education or having to borrow student loans.   Knowing the strategies of how to make the most of scholarships can be a key component in finding money for college. The “Strategies for making the most of scholarship applications” webinar, hosted

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Updates to 2024-25 and 2025-26 FAFSA form processing

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By Marlene Seeklander Financial Aid Administrators have some new workarounds and functionality to address some of the lingering issues related to 2024-25 and 2025-26 FAFSA form processing. An April 14 Electronic Announcement provided updates and guidance for several items, including: Student Records with a Pseudo-SSN First-time FAFSA filers from the Freely Associated States (the Republic of

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Draft 2026-27 FAFSA application materials available for comment

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By Marlene Seeklander While many students and parents are completing the 2025-26 FAFSA, the Department of Education is already looking ahead to next year’s FAFSA. Now is your opportunity to submit comments on or before April 7 to the Department of Education about the proposed draft 2026-27 FAFSA form and FAFSA Submission Summary. In an Electronic

Draft 2026-27 FAFSA application materials available for comment Read More »

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