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Republican lawmakers in the U.S. House of Representatives and Senate have introduced a bill to ensure that the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is regularly available to students on October 1 of each year.
This step aims to formalise a practice that has existed since 2016 but is not yet required by law.
This all came after a completely botched rollout of the FAFSA application this year, which saw deadlines pushed back multiple times and processing delayed until March. The result was fewer families completing the FAFSA application, reduced financial aid, and strained college financial aid teams across the country.
What happened
The FAFSA application, an important tool for students seeking financial aid for their college education, has typically been released on October 1 of each year since 2016, several months ahead of the legally required January 1 release date.
This discrepancy between common practice and legal requirements became particularly clear with the problematic introduction of the updated “Simplified FAFSA” form at the end of December 2023.
The incomplete and delayed release caused considerable confusion and frustration among students and educational institutions. The number of FAFSA applications is significantly lower than in previous years, meaning families receive less assistance for college.
looking ahead
Karen McCarthy, vice president of public policy and federal relations at the National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators (NASFAA), spoke in favor of making the October 1 start date law.
McCarthy stressed in a statement that an earlier release date will allow colleges and universities to provide financial aid information to students much sooner, allowing future students to better plan and make decisions.
The ultimate goal is to ensure that the FAFSA system is not only available on time, but also fully functional and reliable so that students can access the financial aid they need without unnecessary delays or complications.
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