FAFSA issue

After many setbacks with the rollout of the new FAFSA, the U.S. Department of Education announced another major delay: colleges will not begin receiving FAFSA data until March. NACAC CEO Angel Perez said: “We are devastated by this news.” It creates “extraordinary challenges” for both students’ families and colleges. Students might not receive their financial aid packages “until mid-April or even later,” leaving them very little time to make a big decision before the traditional May 1 Candidates’ Reply Date. The National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators issued a statement urging institutions to extend the May 1 deadline. Some colleges have already begun to extend the May 1 deadline, which gives students more time to make an informed decision but complicates the admissions process for colleges.

Sources:

ED: https://fsapartners.ed.gov/knowledge-center/library/electronic-announcements/2024-01-30/2024-25-fafsa-student-aid-index-update-and-timeline

NACAC: https://go.nacacnet.org/webmail/658113/698030432/43c42d97bbff0ae7426fe1b4bd85773de527888bc761e64cef8387161740ec09

NASFAA: https://www.nasfaa.org/community_urges_colleges_to_extend_financial_aid_enrollment_commitment_deadlines