Education Department Assures Students and Schools of Improving FAFSA Process After Glitches
The Education Department is working to fix the Financial Aid Process after concerns were raised by schools and students about a botched overhaul, which led to a decline in enrollments.
2019/06/30 15:15:23
Education Secretary Miguel Cardona expressed confidence that the process will be fixed, and households will be able to start applying for federal financial aid by December 1, two months after the launch date for the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) was pushed back to December 1 for the 2025-26 academic year.
The move aims to allow for additional time to test the online form with select students and schools after months of glitches and delays disrupted the college application process for millions of students this year.
"We’ve got to do better, and we’re going to do better," Cardona told NBC News this week. "Going forward, the application experience is ‘going to be simpler – 15, 20 minutes.’"
Impact on Enrollments
Already, the fallout from the FAFSA missteps is being felt, with many higher education officials reporting a decline in enrollments.
About 75% of private institutions that responded to a recent survey by the National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities (NAICU) said FAFSA issues altered the makeup of incoming freshman classes.
Forty-three percent of respondents said their first-year cohort is smaller than the prior one, while 18% reported a reduction in the racial or ethnic diversity of freshman classes, and 27% said they had fewer financial aid recipients.
NAICU Survey: FAFSA Issues Affecting Enrollments
The 850-school association told NBC News that 18% of respondents reported FAFSA problems have reduced the racial or ethnic diversity of freshman classes, and 27% said they logged fewer financial aid recipients.
Conclusion
The Education Department recognizes that this year’s FAFSA rollout has been challenging for students, families, and postsecondary institutions. While there have been some setbacks, the agency is committed to getting it right and ensuring that all eligible students receive the help they need.
The Education Department is working to improve the FAFSA process, ensuring that it is smoother, faster, and simpler for students and families to navigate.
FAQs
Q: What is the new FAFSA launch date?
A: The new launch date for the FAFSA is December 1, 2025.
Q: How will the FAFSA process be improved?
A: The Education Department is working to simplify and streamline the FAFSA application process, making it easier and faster for students and families to access financial aid.
Q: What is the impact of FAFSA issues on enrollments?
A: Many higher education officials report a decline in enrollments due to FAFSA issues.
Q: What is the Education Department doing to address the issue?
A: The Education Department is working to fix the FAFSA process, ensuring that it is smooth, fast, and simple for students and families to navigate.
Q: When will the new FAFSA process be available?
A: The new FAFSA process will be available by December 1, 2025.
