info@teshley.com August 22, 2024 Image 0 Financial Aid

FAFSA – The Saga Continues

Eight months after the glitch-riddled launch the FAFSA Saga continues.

The Current Cycle

Before we examine the proposed opening of the 2025-26 application cycle, let’s see where things stand with the glitch-riddled 2024-25 applications.

Although most applications have been fully processed, some students and institutions still have lingering issues.

Under normal circumstances, schools can process batch corrections but the Department of Education (ED), notified institutions that batch processing would not be available in August, as promised.

This will no doubt cause delays for some students receiving their aid on time for the start of the fall semester, which is now.

The intent of the FAFSA Simplification Act was not only to simplify the process of applying for financial aid but also to make that aid accessible to more students.

The 2024-25 FAFSA didn’t accomplish these goals. Instead, students and their families faced a myriad of issues accessing and completing the form, which ultimately led to a decrease in applications.

Background Information

Having endured an onslaught of bad press, Congressional hearings, and the ire of students, their families, and financial aid professionals, ED has taken steps to improve the process and its image.

An earlier blog post announced the appointment of College Board president, Jeremy Singer being tapped to spearhead this year’s launch.

At the time, I made a tongue-in-cheek reference to Mr. Singer as Mighty Mouse coming to save the day.

While it was intended to be humorous, others saw it as a threat to the department and an ill-conceived move.

These folks may have been right.

Since his arrival, Mr. Singer has brought in more people from the College Board.

One would expect that due diligence was exercised before bringing Mr. Singer, but perhaps that is wishful thinking.

Time will tell.

The Next Cycle

Initial Phase

For the newest FAFSA cycle, ED is taking a more reasoned approach by opening the application to a small number of students and not over a major holiday weekend.

If you recall, we advised our readers not to attempt to access the system upon initial launch.

We knew it wasn’t going to go well.

By severely limiting the number of students and schools engaging with the new form it gives FSA data and time to iron out the rough spots.

Students will be invited to participate in the first phase through an undisclosed process.

My guess is it will be approximately one hundred students. (See related video)

See video UPDATE

Quote from the August 7, 2024 – Department of Education Release

“The goal of the phased rollout of the 2025-26 FAFSA form, consistent with software industry best practices, is to work with limited groups of users to identify and resolve the kind of system errors that can derail millions of students and contributors and thousands of colleges. A phased rollout will also allow the Department to incorporate user feedback to ensure the application’s instructions are clear and easy-to-use for students and contributors and provide resources for the community that supports students and families.”

If my estimate is correct, is this small sample size sufficient to expose all the remaining or new issues?

Again, time will tell.

Seeking Clarification

I contact Federal Student Aid (FSA) via chat to get additional information.

As the screenshot illustrates, it didn’t go well.

(The identity of the rep has been obscured.)

This week I contacted the FSA office by phone and then called the press office.

Same result.

The people in the trenches seem to have less information than the general public.

Not a good sign.

Where is the communication?

Subsequent Phases

Also unclear is how the next group of students will be selected for the next phases. Will it be alphabetically, geographically, or some other criteria?

Any new releases from ED will be posted here on our LinkedIn page first.