With Saturday’s priority deadline for college financial aid looming, students and experts say this year’s application process is mostly glitch-free.
Each year, millions of college-bound students rely on the federal financial aid application to afford tuition and other expenses related to pursuing a degree. But last year’s rollout of the new Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or FAFSA, was riddled with delays and glitches, leaving students and their families confused — and worried — about their ability to afford college.
“It’s hard to overstate how much better it works,” said Shannon Lough, a higher education adviser with college access nonprofit Education is Freedom. “Last year we were starting to lose hope a little bit.”
Texas students should apply by Saturday — the state’s FAFSA priority deadline — to be considered for the most financial aid possible. Texas distributes aid on a first-come, first-serve basis.
Students can continue applying for FAFSA after the priority deadline. Some Dallas-area students accessed the system in October as Education is Freedom was among community-based groups tapped by federal officials to test FAFSA. EIF adviser Nabil Naser said students completed the form in about 20 minutes, as opposed to the hours it would take the year prior. Some even received their Student Aid Index — the number that helps schools determine how much aid is needed — upon completion, he said.
Here’s what to know about this year’s FAFSA.
What is FAFSA?
Students fill out the form to receive financial aid for college. Generally, parents, guardians or spouses must also submit information for students to qualify. The application, which is managed by the U.S. Department of Education, is used to determine how much federal, state, and school support students qualify for in grants, loans, and scholarships. Colleges use the form to decide financial aid offers.
Pell Grants, financial aid available for students from low-income families, are calculated by FAFSA. After analyzing FAFSA and college applications, college officials decide what financial aid award package a student receives. Experts advise all students to fill out the FAFSA, even if they don’t think they’ll qualify for financial aid.
How do I fill out FAFSA?
FAFSA can be accessed online at studentaid.gov. Students and families can start a new application or access an existing one. Each student and guardian must create an ID, known as the FSA ID, with a unique username and password. Families should gather tax return documents, as well as records of child support, assets, investments, and businesses.
What are the changes in the new FAFSA?
A streamlined FAFSA rolled out last year with fewer questions aimed at simplifying the process. Most students will answer about 40 questions, depending on circumstances. Families could complete the form in as little as 15 minutes, U.S. Department of Education officials have said.
In previous years, students and families completed the form together. The new FAFSA requires the student’s parent or guardian to create their own account and complete information separately. Students cannot edit the form immediately after it’s submitted. They should wait until the form is processed.
The revamp changed the form’s underlying aid formula. The tweak expanded aid eligibility but eliminated a break for families with multiple students in college at the same time. Check the official FAFSA website to find answers to questions specific to your case.
What went wrong with the FAFSA last year?
Federal officials intended to make the new FAFSA easier and simpler, but the rollout was bumpy. Some students were kicked out of the platform and consistently found the website under maintenance. Others couldn’t reach an operator on the FAFSA help line or stayed on hold for hours. Meanwhile, undocumented parents, who do not have a Social Security number, were not able to create new accounts. Some Texas universities ran out of money before students who faced delays could successfully submit their FAFSA. Other students got discouraged and gave up, potentially leaving thousands of dollars on the table.
Is FAFSA fixed this year?
Students and college admission counselors largely say this year is better, but some glitches still arise. A two-factor verification was recently down, delaying students from logging in, Urquidez said. Some undocumented parents who try to set up an account still receive erroneous messages that they already have one.
“It feels like we’re still struggling with the same population (of students from mixed-status families), just not as much or not as widespread,” she said.
Federal officials said most of the bugs are fixed and more than 700 support staff were added to the FAFSA call center this year to decrease wait times. As of Feb. 7, there were 156,408 FAFSA submissions in Texas, up 13.5% from this time last year, according to data from the National College Attainment Network.
Conclusions:
The new FAFSA intends to streamline and simplify the process, as well as increase the number of students eligible for federal aid, including the need-based Pell Grant. The overhaul aims to make the process more accessible and less overwhelming for students and their families.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Q: What is the priority deadline for FAFSA in Texas?
A: The priority deadline for FAFSA in Texas is Saturday.
Q: Can I still apply for FAFSA after the priority deadline?
A: Yes, you can continue to apply for FAFSA after the priority deadline.
Q: What is the purpose of FAFSA?
A: FAFSA is used to determine eligibility for federal, state, and school support, including grants, loans, and scholarships.
Q: How do I fill out FAFSA?
A: FAFSA can be accessed online at studentaid.gov, where you can start a new application or access an existing one.
Q: What are the changes in the new FAFSA?
A: The new FAFSA has fewer questions, making it easier and faster to complete. The form is also more accessible, with students and parents/guardians completing separate portions.
