The New FAFSA – What Comes Next?
The launch of the new FAFSA has been -insert you’re preferred adjective.
To say it’s been a wild ride would be a serious understatement.
What Happened?
Launching a brand new and not fully tested platform on a holiday weekend was an invitation for disaster.
Disaster accepted the invite.
The system was barely accessible in the first few days.
Users were held in waiting rooms sometimes for hours.
When users were finally admitted to the system, many found the experience glitchy or they were kicked out.
It was the perfect storm.
- Maximum number of users
- Minimum available personnel
- Untested platform
No Apology Issued
Given all that has gone so terribly wrong, it would have been prudent for the ED to issue an apology.
It wouldn’t have fixed anything, but at least, it would have acknowledged and given respect to the frustration and headaches of students, their families, state agencies, and schools.
Perhaps we missed it, but we certainly haven’t seen it.
Troubling Developments
On March 1, the FSA issued a fix for the newly released EDConnect software that institutions use to access and process student data.
The last release was on February 27, which means less than a week later a new fix was needed because some users couldn’t access the system due to file corruption.
At this stage, all but the most minor details should be resolved.
Congress Giveth | Congress Taketh Away
Congress passed a new Continuing Resolution that will not provide full funding for the expansion of Pell Grant eligibility. More students will qualify for grants, but not as many as expected by the 2020 FAFSA Simplification Act.
This move appears inconsistent with the original legislation and the ED’s pledge to fix the income tables.
According to information we’ve received the FSA has incorporated the new adjustments.
The positive impacts for low-income students will not be as broad as intended by the original bipartisan legislation, which is disappointing, but not surprising given the current political environment.
Current Timeline
If the Department of Education sticks to its revised timeline, colleges, and state agencies will receive student information by the second week of this month.
Once state agencies and schools receive the data, packages should start going out to students as soon as possible.
If all goes well and without further delay, students will start to receive their packages by the end of March or the beginning of April.
Given recent events with FAFSA, these are very big ifs, but we remain hopeful.
Additional Reading
Financial Aid Archives – (teshley.com)
US Department of Education supports colleges and students amid FAFSA delays | Fox Business
FAFSA delays prompt feds to audit fewer students, schools (msn.com)
The Loophole for Grandparents in the New FAFSA Rules – The New York Times (nytimes.com)
