The College Pod

JUNE 1, 2024

The US Department of Education revamped the FAFSA for the 2024-25 academic school year to make this process less painful. The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), now shorter than its predecessor, is a key part of getting money to help pay for your child's college education. What is FAFSA?

FAFSA

College Aid Services

AUGUST 6, 2025

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®) prototype is now available. The prototype offers an advance opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of the 2026–27 FAFSA user experience ahead of the form’s release. What is the 2026–27 FAFSA® prototype?

FAFSA

College Planners of America

MAY 19, 2025

Application Process The process of applying for Federal Direct Loans begins with the completion of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and submitting it to the ED. Students can start submitting FAFSA applications on October 1 of each year for the following academic year.

Student loans

CFAA College Financial Aid Advisors

APRIL 7, 2025

The FAFSA is one of the most important applications youll fill out, and it opens every year on October 1st. This will make filling out your FAFSA or scholarship applications a lot easier. Keep track of deadlines for both the FAFSA and any scholarships you want to apply for. Want more personalized help paying for college?

Financial aid

College Aid Services

JUNE 3, 2025

FSA has released the June 2025 update to the 202627 FAFSA Specifications Guide, a comprehensive resource for financial aid administrators, software developers, and data processing professionals. This guide provides detailed information on integrating and managing electronic FAFSA data within institutional systems.

FAFSA

College Aid Services

JUNE 25, 2025

This data will be utilized in the 2026–27 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®) processing cycle. Key… More » Operational Information – Reporting Calendar Year 2024 Federal Work-Study Earnings to the COD System Using the Campus-Based XML Schema Version 1.0b first appeared on College Aid Services.

FAFSA

CFAA College Financial Aid Advisors

MARCH 31, 2025

Get Familiar with the FAFSA The FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) is your golden ticket to need-based financial aid. While the FAFSA doesnt open until October 1st of your senior year, its never too early to get familiar with the process. Now Enrolling: College Financial Aid Advising for the Class of 2026-2027!

Financial aid

CFAA College Financial Aid Advisors

APRIL 14, 2025

Keep Track of Important Deadlines : Financial aid deadlines vary by college, but the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) typically opens on October 1 each year. Youll fill out the FAFSA your senior year, but its a good idea to familiarize yourself with the process now. Want more personalized help paying for college?

Financial aid

COE

MAY 2, 2025

Hamm President Trumps newly released 2026 budget proposes the complete elimination of the Federal TRIO Programs, which have helped millions of low-income, first-generation students – including veterans, adult learners, and students with disabilities – succeed in higher education for over 60 years. WASHINGTON, D.C.

Education

COE

JUNE 3, 2025

Today, the Council for Opportunity in Education (COE) proudly recognizes and applauds the more than 10,000 alumni of the Federal TRIO Programs (TRIO) who have come together in an unprecedented show of unity to oppose the Trump Administrations proposal to eliminate TRIO in the Fiscal Year 2026 budget.

First generation

COE

JULY 8, 2025

Hamm The Trump administration’s fiscal 2026 “skinny” budget proposes eliminating all $1.2 Blog Revised FAFSA Release Date Pushed Back – What You Need to Know! TRIO in the News, Summer 2025 July 8, 2025 — by Terrance L. Blog Veterans Upward Bound Programs Commemorate Memorial Day with Activities and Ceremonies Across the U.S.

First generation

COE

JULY 15, 2025

Second, semifinalists coordinate an in-person campus visit between November 15, 2025, and January 15, 2026. Three finalists will be notified by March 2026, each receiving $10,000 in unrestricted funds to advance their student-centered work. Blog Revised FAFSA Release Date Pushed Back – What You Need to Know!

First generation

College Aid Services

MAY 8, 2025

FSA has released the May 2025 update to the 202627 FAFSA Specifications Guide, a comprehensive resource for financial aid administrators, software developers, and data processing professionals. This guide provides detailed information on integrating and managing electronic FAFSA data within institutional systems.

FAFSA

CFAA College Financial Aid Advisors

OCTOBER 21, 2024

The most important financial document that students will file with their families this fall is the FAFSA, the Free Application for Federal Student Aid. For the 2025-2026 application cycle, the FAFSA will come online in December. Why Do I Have to File the FAFSA? This will give you access to the online FAFSA application.

FAFSA

HEAG

OCTOBER 9, 2024

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 … Read more ».

Financial aid administration

College Aid Services

OCTOBER 23, 2024

The 2025-2026 FAFSA Cycle is upon us! Join us for an in-depth look at the latest updates, as well as what remains unchanged in the new 2025-26 FAFSA application.

Application

CFAA College Financial Aid Advisors

OCTOBER 14, 2024

The world of financial aid can be daunting, especially when it comes to understanding the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The FAFSA is the way that students qualify for federal grants, loans, and work-study opportunities. Filing the FAFSA 101: In the past, the FAFSA was available in the fall.

FAFSA

College Planners of America

AUGUST 27, 2024

The most recent failure in the rollout of the new Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) will leave many college students without critical financial aid as the fall semester approaches. Batch Corrections Batch corrections are aggregated digital changes to the FAFSA records of students. On July 30th, the U.S.

FAFSA

College Planners of America

AUGUST 27, 2024

The most recent failure in the rollout of the new Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) will leave many college students without critical financial aid as the fall semester approaches. Batch Corrections Batch corrections are aggregated digital changes to the FAFSA records of students. On July 30th, the U.S.

FAFSA

HEAG

NOVEMBER 6, 2024

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 … Read more ».

Financial aid

CFAA College Financial Aid Advisors

SEPTEMBER 9, 2024

The FAFSA: Your First Step to Financial Aid The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is your starting point. Filling out the FAFSA is easier than ever with online tools that guide you step by step. If you want to read some of my tips to prepare for the 2025-2026 FAFSA, check out recent blogs here!

Financial aid

Student Research Foundation

SEPTEMBER 18, 2024

In 2026, 7,580 scholarships will be available to young people who take the PSAT/NMSQT in October 2024. While a federal financial aid form like FAFSA may not require test scores, colleges and universities can decide the requirements for their university-sponsored financial aid packages.

Financial aid

CFAA College Financial Aid Advisors

FEBRUARY 19, 2024

Start with FAFSA If you are not yet familiar with the term FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid), now’s the perfect time to learn about it all! Filing the FAFSA is the first stop to determine your eligibility for federal, state, and most institutional college financial aid.

Financial aid

CFAA College Financial Aid Advisors

JUNE 17, 2024

Spots for the 2025-2026 school year are open and are going quickly. More about Jodi and College Financial Aid Advisors Jodi is a FAFSA financial advisor who helps with the financial aid process to help families of college students maximize their financial aid.

Financial aid

College Aid Services

FEBRUARY 4, 2025

Federal Student Aid has released the drafts of the 2026-27 FAFSA application materials, with the financial aid community having until April 7, 2025, to submit their feedback for consideration.

FAFSA

College Aid Services

FEBRUARY 27, 2025

Federal Student Aid has released the first portion of the 2026-27 FAFSA Specifications Guide, which contains technical information related to the FAFSA Processing System (FPS) for the 2026-27 award year. Currently, the volume(s) below are available only in Excel spreadsheet format at this time.

FAFSA