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After dismal year for financial aid, FAFSA is (mostly) back on track
Compared to last December, FAFSA completion rates are up.
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Allison Shelley for All4Ed
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Topline:
The U.S. Department of Education expects to get 1 million financial aid applications from students across the country by Tuesday — a far cry from last December, when a series of problems left students unable to apply.
Good to hear: In a webinar for California financial aid advocates, counselors, and educators, FAFSA executive adviser Jeremy Singer said the form “is in a significantly better place than it was a year ago.” Singer also said that there have been “no major issues with the software” since the application’s launch in late November, and that the department’s call centers have about twice as many agents as last year. On average, he said, callers can get help in “just over two minutes.”
Why it matters: The department uses FAFSA data to provide federal financial aid. That information then gets forwarded to state agencies. Colleges also use it to calculate how much students will pay to go to their campus. They make offers to prospective students, which can be composed of grants, loans, scholarships, and work-study.
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The backstory: The department launched a revamped FAFSA last year, promising to make it easier for students and families to apply. That effort was marred by technical glitches and processing delays. The new form was also released months behind schedule, setting colleges scrambling to get financial aid packages out in time. Problems stemming from that rollout continue to frustrate some students.
What's next: To qualify for state-based programs, California residents who intend to enroll or continue their studies at a university should submit their applications by March 3, 2025. Daisy Gonzales, the California Student Aid Commission’s executive director, said the agency will advocate for an extension.
Where to apply: Here's the FAFSA form.
Need help? The California Student Aid Commission is hosting free workshops, staffed by financial aid experts.
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