College Aid Services

JUNE 23, 2025

FSA has announced enhancements to the 2026–27 FAFSA, aiming to simplify and expedite the application experience for students and families.

FAFSA

Diverse: Issues in Higher Education

MARCH 3, 2025

Across the country, community colleges and universities are seeing fewer students enroll, a trend that could have long-term consequences for both individuals and the economy. A shrinking student population means fewer trained workers entering key industries, bringing about economic decline as the demographic cliff continues to grow.

Higher education

Diverse: Issues in Higher Education

MARCH 19, 2025

But, the sticker price published on college and university websites is not what many, or even most, students pay. You might understandably wonder why, then, dont colleges just publish what students actually end up paying? Let me be clear: no student or family should go into more debt than they feel an education is worth.

Education

College Aid Services

NOVEMBER 14, 2024

Department of Education (Department) announced today that it entered the final beta testing period of the 2025–26 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®), Beta 4, which will build on the successful results from the first three beta periods. 1, more than 14,000 students have successfully submitted their 2025–26 FAFSA forms.

FAFSA

IHEP Institute for Higher Education Policy

JULY 2, 2025

Their responses highlight four key ways federal data make their work possible: benchmarking student progress, guiding state budgeting, ensuring data consistency, and expanding state data capacity. Unfortunately, our nation’s federal postsecondary data infrastructure is now in jeopardy.

Financial aid

College Aid Services

DECEMBER 23, 2024

FSA has provided guidance for institutions on obtaining written consent from their students to share FAFSA data with a third party in compliance with FERPA regulations.

FAFSA

Ed.gov Homeroom

JUNE 25, 2025

Department of Education and Acting Chief Operating Officer, Federal Student Aid Earlier this week, there was big news from the U.S. Department of Education (Department): Major improvements are coming to the 2026–27 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®) experience.

FAFSA

CFAA College Financial Aid Advisors

DECEMBER 2, 2024

High school seniors who are ready to unlock financial aid and take the next step toward your education, it’s time to file your FAFSA. Completing the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) is one of the most important tasks you’ll need to tackle as you prepare for college. You can sign electronically with your FSA ID.

FAFSA

CFAA College Financial Aid Advisors

DECEMBER 16, 2024

The FAFSA is an important part of the college application process, but it can feel a little bit larger than life if youve never completed the paperwork. For some students, the application feels overwhelming and instead of figuring it out or asking for help, they skip submitting it. Myth: FAFSA is Only for Federal Aid.

FAFSA

CFAA College Financial Aid Advisors

DECEMBER 30, 2024

If you’re planning on attending college and need financial aid, then filling out your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA ) is an essential step. But its not just about submitting the FAFSA you need to be aware of the deadlines to make sure you dont miss out on the financial assistance you need.

FAFSA

CFAA College Financial Aid Advisors

DECEMBER 9, 2024

For students preparing to apply for financial aid, the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is a crucial part of the process. With recent changes to the FAFSA process, it’s important to stay informed about whats going on. This can help to maximize your eligibility for aid and financial aid funding.

Financial aid

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

Ed.gov Homeroom

APRIL 17, 2025

By: James Bergeron, Deputy Under Secretary and Acting Federal Student Aid Chief Operating Officer Each year, more than 17 million students complete and submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form, unlocking access to more than $120 billion in federal student aid and billions more in school, state, and private funding.

FAFSA

CFAA College Financial Aid Advisors

DECEMBER 23, 2024

Submitting your Free Application for Federal Student Aid is a huge milestone in the college application process, but its just the beginning of your financial aid journey. Heres a breakdown of the next steps after you submit your FAFSA. Heres a breakdown of the next steps after you submit your FAFSA.

FAFSA

College Aid Services

NOVEMBER 12, 2024

Originally scheduled for release in August, Federal Student Aid announced yesterday that batch corrections will not be available for the 2024-25 FAFSA. This surprising announcement places a significant burden on Financial Aid Administrators and may cause further delays in granting aid to students.

FAFSA

Student Research Foundation

NOVEMBER 8, 2024

Though some schools are test-optional, many still require or strongly encourage students to submit test scores. Some students tend to prefer one test over the other, so taking both is a great way to see which one plays to your strengths. Complete the FAFSA, CSS profile, and any scholarship applications.

Application

CFAA College Financial Aid Advisors

AUGUST 11, 2025

The majority of students worry about upcoming classes and supplies, but upcoming seniors and those currently in college have a lot more to consider than their class schedule. They need to plan ahead financially and begin their FAFSA prep now. Waiting until the FAFSA cut off date could cost you. Don’t Wait – Start Now!

FAFSA

College Aid Services

NOVEMBER 21, 2024

Updated November 21st The Department of Education continues to beta test the 2025-26 FAFSA with a select group of institutions and students as the December 1 release date approaches. Here is the latest regarding the upcoming application, as detailed on the Updates page: 2025-26 FAFSA Beta Updates Nov.

FAFSA

College Aid Services

NOVEMBER 22, 2024

The Department of Education has officially launched the 2025-26 FAFSA application nearly two weeks ahead of the original December 1st deadline. After months of beta testing, the form is available to all students and families via the dedicated FAFSA portal at studentaid.gov.

Scheduling

College Aid Services

OCTOBER 30, 2024

Federal Student Aid will host a live internet webinar on November 8th to provide administrators with an update on processing for the 2024–25 FAFSA , beta testing for the 2025–26 FAFSA, and when the upcoming application will be available.

FAFSA

College Planners of America

MAY 19, 2025

Education Department (ED) to help students afford the costs of higher education. However, borrowers must navigate various challenges, including complex repayment rules and limitations on borrowing that can leave students seeking other sources of funds. For the 2025-26 school year, it is June 30, 2026.

Student loans

College Aid Services

JULY 23, 2025

Federal Student Aid has released volumes of the 2025-26 FAFSA Specifications Guide. The volumes contained in this guide contain FAFSA Processing System (FPS) technical information for the 2025-26 award year and are only available as PDF documents at this time.

FAFSA

CFAA College Financial Aid Advisors

JANUARY 13, 2025

Receiving a college rejection letter can feel like a sudden end to a dream youve worked tirelessly for as a high school student. If youre a student whos received an early admission rejection for the college of your dreams, know that youre not alone. The sense of disappointment, confusion, and even shame can be overwhelming.

Financial aid

CFAA College Financial Aid Advisors

MARCH 3, 2025

You need to apply for federal student aid (FAFSA) to be considered for work-study. Its not guaranteed, so make sure to fill out your FAFSA form early. This is based on your FAFSA application and your familys financial situation. Its a great way to gain work experience while earning extra cash for your expenses.

Financial aid

The College Pod

JUNE 28, 2024

After submitting a FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid), the Federal Student Aid office will send you a FAFSA Submission Summary. Below, I will provide a detailed explanation of the FAFSA Submission Summary, its significance, and what each section of the report contains.

FAFSA

Counselors' Corner

JANUARY 7, 2025

If I had done so last year, I would have predicted a FAFSA nightmare, an election that would take our breaths away, and a very different landscape for college athletes. Early trials suggest were in for a much better, maybe normal, year of FAFSA. of students whose college plans were deconstructed because of last years debacle.

FAFSA

Timely MD

DECEMBER 18, 2024

Yet, for many underrepresented college students, navigating academic life can feel akin to scaling an invisible mountain. Why is help-seeking among underrepresented students important? student life coordinator at Saybrook University and Travis W. In a Gen Ztressed webinar hosted by TimelyCare, experts Brianna Yahaya, M.S

Mental health

College Aid Services

JANUARY 17, 2025

Federal Student Aid has released updated guidance on eligibility for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits, outlining financial and non-financial requirements for students attending institutions of higher education (IHE).

Access

College Aid Services

JUNE 9, 2025

The Department of Education has announced significant measures to combat identity fraud in federal student aid programs, including those particularly targeting the Pell Grant program which has been susceptible to sophisticated fraud schemes.

FAFSA

CFAA College Financial Aid Advisors

JANUARY 6, 2025

Early decision application responses are being sent out and for some students, their college dreams are falling apart. Reassess your initial strategy: Some students can get very interested in one particular college in the rush to apply. Not every student needs or wants to start college right after high school graduation.

Application

CFAA College Financial Aid Advisors

OCTOBER 28, 2024

Completing the FAFSA is one of the first steps that students and families must complete to start their journey to college. Through this application, schools determine how much funding a student is eligible for. Most students under 24 are considered dependent, and require their parents’ financial details.

FAFSA

CFAA College Financial Aid Advisors

NOVEMBER 18, 2024

Students then have until May 1st (National College Decision Day) to decide where to attend. For students applying via Early Action, there may be an advantage if you’re applying to schools that give out merit-based scholarships. Many schools use the FAFSA and CSS Profile for additional aid analysis.

Financial aid

Student Research Foundation

JANUARY 9, 2025

There are countless resources available to help students discover colleges and universities that align with their goals. Each students college priorities will be different. StudyLab offers hundreds of scholarship opportunities that can help ease a students tuition costs. Start your scholarship search as soon as possible!

Financial aid

CFAA College Financial Aid Advisors

JULY 21, 2025

Make sure that you know how to monitor your student account portal. 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. This is something you should be checking regularly.

Financial aid

CFAA College Financial Aid Advisors

NOVEMBER 26, 2024

But this decision isn’t just about choosing the school with the best programs, campus vibe, or student culture. These scholarships can sometimes be more generous for Regular Decision applicants than for those applying Early Action, as schools may allocate the majority of their funds to students who apply later in the cycle. #5.

Financial aid

College Aid Services

DECEMBER 2, 2024

Financial aid offices can access the 2025-26 FAFSA Paper form through the FAFSA Partner Portal, as the Department of Education begins processing applications; functionality for student corrections will arrive in early 2025.

FAFSA

Counselors' Corner

DECEMBER 18, 2024

If youre new to this, heres a quick tour on making the most out of these 20-minute meetings: Graduation requirements Greet the student, ask them how the team is doing, then make sure they will have what they need to leave next June. Class schedule Students need to stay challenged senior year, and colleges care about rigor.

Scheduling