• Investing
  • Stock
Round Table Thoughts
  • Economy
  • Editor’s Pick
Home Editor's Pick Millions of college students in limbo after aid application information is delayed until March
Editor's Pick

Millions of college students in limbo after aid application information is delayed until March

by February 1, 2024
by February 1, 2024 0 comment
Share
0
FacebookTwitterPinterestWhatsapp

U.S. colleges and universities won’t receive students’ applications for financial aid until at least early March, the Education Department said Tuesday.

The delay is the result of the department’s decision to fix an error in how students’ aid eligibility is calculated. The fix is intended to cover students entering college for the 2024-25 academic year.

Normally, schools receive student data from the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or FAFSA, in late fall or early winter, soon after students start receiving the applications themselves starting in October.

But a bumpy rollout of a new, simplified FAFSA form mandated by Congress in 2020 led to current students’ being unable to fully access applications until the first week of 2024, signaling that delays in getting financial aid offers from schools for the coming academic year would be inevitable.

Then, the department confirmed this month that it had failed to update the tables used to calculate students’ families’ eligibility based on inflation.

The series of mishaps ultimately led to Tuesday’s announcement.

“On the very day that schools were expecting FAFSA applicant information, they were instead notified by the U.S. Department of Education that they shouldn’t expect to receive that data until March, at the earliest,’ Justin Draeger, the president of the National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators, said in a statement Tuesday.

‘These continued delays, communicated at the last minute, threaten to harm the very students and families that federal student aid is intended to help,’ Draeger said.

In its statement announcing the latest delay, the department also acknowledged that students can’t currently make corrections to their forms and wouldn’t be able to do so until the first half of March.

‘With this last-minute news, our nation’s colleges are once again left scrambling as they determine how best to work within these new timelines to issue aid offers as soon as possible,’ Draeger said, adding that financially vulnerable students shouldn’t be the ones to ‘pay the price for these missteps.”

An Education Department website lists a host of other issues on the new form that are affecting applicants, including the inability of students whose parents who may lack Social Security numbers to apply.

In its latest statement, the department said 3.1 million FAFSA forms have been successfully submitted since the redesigned application went live. A spokesperson didn’t have additional comment beyond today’s statement.

“The Better FAFSA makes it as simple and easy as possible for families to get help paying for college, and updating our tables will help even more students get the help they need,” Undersecretary of Education James Kvaal said in the statement.

“Updating our calculations will help students qualify for as much financial aid as possible. Thank you to the financial aid advisers, college counselors, and many others helping us put students first.” 

This post appeared first on NBC NEWS
You Might Also Like
  • Albertsons sues Kroger after judge rules against grocery merger
  • Paramount special committee extends Skydance ‘go shop’ period as it reviews Bronfman offer
  • Southwest to get rid of open seating, offer extra legroom in biggest shift in its history
  • Affluent Americans are driving U.S. economy and likely delaying need for Fed rate cuts
Share
0
FacebookTwitterPinterestWhatsapp

previous post
Walmart managers can now earn $400,000 a year, no college required, thanks to stock grants
next post
Walmart managers can now earn $400,000 a year, no college required, thanks to stock grants

You may also like

Inflation looms large for consumers ahead of summer

June 13, 2023

America’s downtown centers wither amid fading hopes for a post-pandemic...

April 2, 2023

Thousands of schools are turning to apps to fight bullying...

November 8, 2023

United to pause pilot hiring, citing Boeing’s delivery delays

March 9, 2024

UAW autoworkers officially ratified new contract, union says

November 22, 2023

Nissan issues ‘do not drive’ warning for 84,000 older-model vehicles...

May 31, 2024

31 percent of all IoT SIMs were managed with third-party...

December 25, 2022

Big moments from the beginning of the Sam Bankman-Fried trial

October 15, 2023

Family offices are giving top staff equity, profit shares in...

July 30, 2024

Dollar General CEO warns consumers are cash-strapped and says 2025...

March 14, 2025

    Stay updated with the latest news, exclusive offers, and special promotions. Sign up now and be the first to know! As a member, you'll receive curated content, insider tips, and invitations to exclusive events. Don't miss out on being part of something special.


    By opting in you agree to receive emails from us and our affiliates. Your information is secure and your privacy is protected.

    Recent Posts

    • Breakouts, Momentum & Moving Averages: 10 Must-See Stock Charts Right Now

      May 31, 2025
    • Leadership Rotation Could Confirm Corrective Phase

      May 30, 2025
    • Run Your Stock Portfolio Like a Pro Sports Team

      May 30, 2025
    • U.S. foreign tax bill sends jitters across Wall Street

      May 30, 2025
    • Amazon taps Xbox co-founder to lead new team developing ‘breakthrough’ consumer products

      May 30, 2025

    Popular Posts

    • 1

      Trump-era China sanctions ended by Biden may be...

      June 27, 2024 2,765 views
    • 2

      Walz’s honeymoon with China gets fresh scrutiny as...

      August 9, 2024 2,472 views
    • 3

      Biden appointee played key role in recruiting Chinese...

      June 25, 2024 2,451 views
    • 4

      Shein’s global ambitions leaves some cybersecurity experts fearful...

      July 10, 2024 2,432 views
    • 5

      Harris VP pick spent years promoting research facility...

      August 29, 2024 2,308 views

    Categories

    • Economy (7,009)
    • Editor's Pick (2,106)
    • Investing (538)
    • Stock (2,581)

    Popular Posts

    • 1

      Trump-era China sanctions ended by Biden may be revived under new House GOP bill

      June 27, 2024
    • 2

      Walz’s honeymoon with China gets fresh scrutiny as Harris camp blasts ‘lying’ critics

      August 9, 2024
    • 3

      Biden appointee played key role in recruiting Chinese businesses to Delaware: ‘Longtime friends’

      June 25, 2024
    • 4

      Shein’s global ambitions leaves some cybersecurity experts fearful of Chinese spy threats

      July 10, 2024
    • 5

      Harris VP pick spent years promoting research facility that collaborated with ‘Chinese military company’

      August 29, 2024

    Latest News

    • Breakouts, Momentum & Moving Averages: 10 Must-See Stock Charts Right...

      May 31, 2025
    • Leadership Rotation Could Confirm Corrective Phase

      May 30, 2025
    • Run Your Stock Portfolio Like a Pro Sports Team

      May 30, 2025

    Categories

    • Economy (7,009)
    • Editor's Pick (2,106)
    • Investing (538)
    • Stock (2,581)

    Disclaimer: RoundTableThoughts.com, its managers, its employees, and assigns (collectively “The Company”) do not make any guarantee or warranty about what is advertised above. Information provided by this website is for research purposes only and should not be considered as personalized financial advice. The Company is not affiliated with, nor does it receive compensation from, any specific security. The Company is not registered or licensed by any governing body in any jurisdiction to give investing advice or provide investment recommendation. Any investments recommended here should be taken into consideration only after consulting with your investment advisor and after reviewing the prospectus or financial statements of the company.

    Copyright © 2024 RoundTableThoughts.com. All Rights Reserved.

    Round Table Thoughts
    • Investing
    • Stock
    Round Table Thoughts
    • Economy
    • Editor’s Pick

    Read alsox

    Americans are feeling optimistic about the...

    January 21, 2024

    Hyundai and Kia unit settles U.S....

    May 10, 2024

    The collapse of a fintech firm...

    May 23, 2024
    Sign In

    Keep me signed in until I sign out

    Forgot your password?

    Password Recovery

    A new password will be emailed to you.

    Have received a new password? Login here