As enrollment deadlines approach, fewer students have figured out how they will afford college next year. Ongoing problems with the new Free Application for Federal Student Aid have delayed financial aid award letters and even prevented many high school seniors and their families from applying for aid at all. As of the latest update, roughly 7.3 million 2024-25 FAFSA applications have been submitted and sent to schools, according to the U.S. Department of Education, less than half of the more than 17 million students who use the FAFSA in ordinary years. Many institutions are now issuing aid with the information they have on hand, according to the Department of Education. "Students should know that they are not going through this alone, we will remain in regular communication with schools and students and encourage students to stay in touch with us and with their colleges," an Education Department spokesperson said.

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Persons: Mark Kantrowitz, it's, Sandy Baum Organizations: Federal, Aid, U.S . Department of Education, Finance, Harvard, Urban Institute's Center, Education, Department of Education