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As the holiday season approaches, financial aid offices can leverage this time to create an environment that is inclusive, joyful, and meaningful for students and staff from diverse backgrounds in a respectful way. A well-thought-out holiday celebration can fo …
As financial aid professionals, we know that helping students afford college is at the core of our mission. While institutional aid, federal loans, and grants are essential, many students still face significant funding gaps. One powerful way financial aid offi …
The annual release of the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) can be a period of heightened stress for both students and families, as well as for the financial aid professionals who support them. This year, with the delay, changes, and updates to …
As we approach the 2025-2026 academic year, financial aid offices across the country are facing a new challenge: the delayed release of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) until December 1, 2024. For many colleges and universities, this postpo …
As financial aid professionals, we know the critical role the FAFSA plays in helping students afford higher education. With the recent FAFSA simplification roll-out problems, many of us have encountered unexpected challenges as well as opportunities to improve …
Access to higher education is one of the most powerful tools to uplift individuals, families, and entire communities. However, the cost of education can be a significant barrier, especially for underrepresented students who may not be aware of the resources av …
Effective during the 2024-25 award year, the FAFSA Simplification Act introduced significant updates to the terminology and definitions around what constitutes as financial aid. One of the notable changes is the renaming of “Estimated Financial Assistance” (EF …
As we prepare for the 2025-2026 FAFSA cycle, the U.S. Department of Education has issued important updates on verification requirements. Here’s what you need to know: 1. Tax and Income Verification: For students whose tax data is transferred directly from the …
Navigating college is challenging for any student, but for those experiencing homelessness, the road is far more daunting. In fact, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development estimates that around 56,000 students in higher education experience homele …
In our blog, The Lost Art of Communication, we discussed the many ways we can communicate with each other in the office. The most used mode is email and we provided some best practices for your business communications. Communicating with your students is a who …
Starting in the 2024-25 academic year, significant changes are being introduced in how financial aid applicants must report net income (or loss) from business or farm activities. Notably, the longstanding family farm and small business asset exclusion is being …
On July 31, Federal Student Aid (FSA) published Electronic Announcement CB-24-16 to alert financial aid professionals that the FISAP due on October 1, 2024, is now available on the Common Origination and Disbursement (COD) website. If you have already complete …
On June 26, 2024, Federal Student Aid (FSA) issued an Electronic Announcement reminding institutions of their responsibilities under the Clery Act, which entails the following: Compilation and disclosure of campus crime statistics Maintenance of a daily crime …
Federal Student Aid’s (FSA) June 17,, 2024, Electronic Announcement clarifies issues around conflicting information that have not needed to be addressed before the 2024 – 2025 award year and the simplified FAFSA®. However, before we go there, let’s review trea …
As experienced financial aid directors might already know, the online Fiscal Operations Report for 2023–24 and the Application to Participate for 2025–26 (FISAP) will be available on the Common Origination and Disbursement (COD) website on August 1 and is due …