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☆ Why college applicants will have to wait months longer to find out how much financial aid they're getting this year
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-01 | by ( Ayelet Sheffey | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

The latest delay means financial aid awards might not come until April. AdvertisementThe sole application for receiving college financial aid has had a rocky rollout this year — and it means reward letters will be delayed by months. AdvertisementThe latest delay in receiving financial aid awards can be attributed to the department's efforts to update FAFSA qualifications to expand families' financial aid eligibility. However, that'll take time — and could leave some families in a time crunch when it comes to evaluating their financial aid packages. "Updating our calculations will help students qualify for as much financial aid as possible."

Persons: —, That's, they'll, that'll, Education James Kvaal, Justin Draeger, Draeger, Virginia Foxx, Burgess Owens, Secretary Miguel Cardona, Sen, Bill Cassidy, Biden, Cassidy, Foxx, Richard Cordray Organizations: Education Department, Service, Federal Student Aid, Education, U.S . Department of Education, National Association of Student Financial, Republican, Secretary, Department, Office, Aid

☆ Fahmi Quadir, short seller nicknamed 'The Assassin,' takes aim at for-profit college giant Adtalem
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-30 | by ( Eamon Javers | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

Quadir told CNBC she has a short position in the stock, meaning she is betting that the share price will decline. "We believe that Adtalem is completely uninvestable, the number of existential risks that exists today should cause alarm for any investor that's looking into this company," Quadir said. In 2017, DeVry Education changed its DV ticker symbol to Adtalem's current ATGE, completing the rebranding of DeVry into Adtalem. Quadir's report found that among Adtalem's properties, the online college Walden University has a graduation rate of just 29%. Adtalem's stock price has soared over 75% in just seven months, from just over $33 a share in late June, to more than $60 a share at Monday's open.

Persons: Quadir, Safkhet, Bridget Bennett, Rafael Henrique, Lightrocket, DeVry, Adtalem Organizations: Bloomberg, Getty Images WASHINGTON, Walden University, Chamberlain University, Ross University School of Medicine, CNBC, Safkhet, Netflix, Education, DeVry University, Cogswell Education, Blackrock, Vanguard, Department of Education, Higher Locations: Las Vegas , Nevada, U.S, Barbados, Quadir, Adtalem

☆ FAFSA inflation fix may delay financial aid letters, Education Department says
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-30 | by ( Jessica Dickler | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

The U.S. Department of Education says it recently updated a key part of the new Free Application for Federal Student Aid formula, but, as a result, colleges won't receive FAFSA applicant information until early March, instead of late January as initially estimated. "These continued delays, communicated at the last minute, threaten to harm the very students and families that federal student aid is intended to help," said Justin Draeger, president of the National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators. At launch, the new FAFSA relied on old consumer price index figures from 2020, before the recent runup in inflation. Just last week, the Department of Education said it planned to update this part of the new FAFSA formula, which will mean an additional $1.8 billion in aid for college-bound students this year. That update has now been completed, the Department of Education said Tuesday, and, as a result, 1.3 million students will see larger Pell Grants, a type of aid available to low-income families.

Persons: Justin Draeger, TikTok Biden Organizations: U.S . Department of Education, Federal, Aid, Department, National Association of Student Financial, Finance, Department of Education Locations: Pell

☆ How Some Families Are Breaking the Rules to Apply for Financial Aid
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-27 | by ( Ron Lieber | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

Here’s the good news: The Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or FAFSA, website is now open 24 hours a day, seven days a week after a yearslong effort to simplify the process of seeking financial assistance. This month, I watched two high school seniors and their college counselor start the forms from scratch and submit them in just over an hour. But in doing so, the teenagers made a false statement that broke the law. In this case, safeguards are necessary to protect private financial information. But any new login requirements might also trigger an impulse for many families with complicated lives to bypass them.

Persons: ’ Organizations: Federal Student Aid

☆ Department of Education makes another fix to the FAFSA, unlocking an additional $1.8 billion in financial aid
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-24 | by ( Katie Lobosco | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

Washington CNN —The Department of Education said this week that it is making an additional adjustment to this year’s Free Application for Federal Student Aid, known as the FAFSA, that will make $1.8 billion more available in financial aid. The FAFSA determines eligibility for federal Pell Grants and federal student loans – and in most cases, the financial aid provided by colleges as well. But initially, the Department of Education did not tie the new FAFSA calculation to the latest inflation data, as required by law. It remains to be seen whether colleges can announce financial aid awards on their usual timeline. FAFSA overhaul will make more students eligible for financial aidSeparate from the inflation adjustment, the overhaul of the FAFSA makes the form easier to fill out and increases the number of families eligible for financial aid.

Persons: ” Justin Draeger, ”, Pell Organizations: Washington CNN —, Department of Education, Federal Student Aid, CNN, NPR, The Washington Post, of Education, National Association of Student Financial, The, Republican, Department of

☆ Education Department's FAFSA inflation fix will free up $1.8 billion more in aid for students
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-24 | by ( Jessica Dickler | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

watch nowThe U.S. Department of Education says it plans to update a key part of the new Free Application for Federal Student Aid formula, which will result in $1.8 billion more in aid for college-bound students this year. The announcement comes weeks after the simplified FAFSA soft launched Dec. 30 after a monthslong delay. As a result, more middle- and higher-income students could qualify for a Pell Grant, a type of aid available to low-income families, added higher education expert Mark Kantrowitz. Currently, the maximum Pell Grant award is $7,395. "Students on the edge of Pell Grant eligibility could be most affected," Kantrowitz said.

Persons: Justin Draeger, Pell Grant, Mark Kantrowitz, Kantrowitz Organizations: U.S . Department of Education, Federal, Aid, National Association of Student Financial

☆ Some student-loan borrowers could get extra money from their school under a new Education Department proposal
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-23 | by ( Ayelet Sheffey | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Read previewPresident Joe Biden's Education Department has kicked off another round of negotiations to craft new rules for higher education — and it could get some student-loan borrowers extra cash. One of the department's proposals concerns how schools manage students' meal plans. AdvertisementThe department will continue negotiations on these regulations in February and March sessions with stakeholders, with the opportunity for public comment. Along with the cash management proposals, the department is also in the regulatory process of crafting its second attempt at student-debt relief for borrowers. "Failing to finalize a proposal to provide relief for borrowers experiencing hardship would result in millions of borrowers — including most recent graduates, many low-income borrowers, borrowers of color, and borrowers with disabilities — being left out of the necessary debt relief," nearly 70 advocacy groups sent to Education Secretary Miguel Cardona last week.

Persons: —, Joe Biden's, They're, Biden's, Education Secretary Miguel Cardona Organizations: Service, Joe Biden's Education, Business, Education Department, Higher, Education Secretary

☆ All 4 major student-loan companies have now gotten punished for customer service issues as borrowers struggle with repayment — and it might not be the end
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-20 | by ( Ayelet Sheffey | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

Read previewIt hasn't been easy for student-loan borrowers since payments restarted a few months ago — and for the companies that manage their debt. The Education Department is aware of those errors and highlighted them in an internal Federal Student Aid memo in November. AdvertisementIn the past fiscal year, Congress did not boost funding for Federal Student Aid, which oversees all student-loan operations. And in the current round of budget negotiations, House Republicans have proposed steep cuts for Federal Student Aid. One servicer, MOHELA, told Democratic lawmakers in response to queries on repayment preparation that "millions of borrowers resumed repayment simultaneously after a multi-year pause."

Persons: —, Joe Biden's, MOHELA, servicers, Miguel Cardona, that's, servicer, I'm, Harris, Cardona Organizations: Service, Business, Joe Biden's Education Department, Education Department, Department, Education, Federal, Aid, The Education, Federal Student Aid, House Republicans, Democratic, Biden, Harris Administration

☆ Why Is Paying for College So Complicated?
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-18 | by ( Ron Lieber | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

Saving and paying for college is an endurance test, a forced march on an often 50-year parade, where strange numerical codes and senseless jumbles of letters mark a route that Waze can’t map. Begin at age zero or earlier with a 529 college savings plan for your child, born or not yet so. Then, fill out the FAFSA, which stands for “Free Application for Federal Student Aid,” and determine your student aid index (S.A.I.). or other data or the figures that another form, the CSS Profile, belches out is probably not enough to make college affordable. So you could apply for a federal PLUS loan for parents, which might take you 25 years to repay.

Organizations: Federal Student Aid, CSS

The departure of Election Assistance Commission executive director Steven Frid, confirmed by the agency on Tuesday, comes just as voting begins in the U.S. presidential election. Frid held the position for less than a year and was the agency’s third executive director in three years. The EAC's chief information officer will serve as acting executive director while a search for a permanent replacement is underway, the EAC commissioners said in a statement. The executive director, along with the general counsel, are the agency’s top two staff positions and have experienced heavy turnover since 2019. The EAC now heads into a major election year without an executive director or general counsel.

Persons: Steven Frid, Frid, chad ” Organizations: U.S, EAC, U.S . Department of, Secret Service, U.S . Coast Guard, Personnel Management, Help, Associated Press, AP Locations: Florida

NEW YORK (AP) — Student and legal advocacy groups are petitioning the U.S. Department of Agriculture to lift the interview requirement for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) applicants to receive food aid. The groups argue the interview requirement is burdensome and prevents those who qualify for food aid from receiving it. Political Cartoons View All 253 ImagesEligible households next receive a notice indicating their certification period, or how long they'll receive SNAP benefits. But interviews are not mandated by the federal statute governing the SNAP program, the organizations petitioning the government note. A 2021 review of enrollment data in California found that 31% of SNAP applicants in Los Angeles County were denied SNAP due to missing their interview, compared to just 6% who were denied for failing to meet eligibility requirements.

Persons: Aviana Kimani, Kimani, it’s, ” Kimani, “, you’re, Allan Rodriguez, Ty Jones Cox, ”, Aaron Ament, Charles Schwab Organizations: U.S . Department of Agriculture, Nutrition Assistance, SNAP, Student Legal Defense Network, Center for Law, Social, California, Aid, Department of Agriculture, West Los Angeles College, Agriculture Department, Center for Budget, Student, Associated Press, Charles, Charles Schwab Foundation, Inc, AP Locations: California, Los Angeles County

☆ The new FAFSA form for 2024 was supposed to streamline the process. It took me 13 hours to complete — and only thanks to Reddit.
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-11 | by ( Erika Ebsworth-Goold | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

The Department of Education says the FAFSA overhaul will improve and streamline the application process. AdvertisementFirst, I started my son's application. It couldn't handle specific questions and simply referred me back to the general FAFSA site. It took another hour of trying before I could finally, blessedly, file the form — after 13 hours of trying. I'm glad my family got through what was a frustrating experience — although I'll feel better once we get confirmation that my son's application is processed successfully.

Persons: —, I'd, Aidan, Reddit, Aidan couldn't, it's Organizations: Service, US Department of, Federal Student Aid, of Education, Internal Revenue Service, Business, Social, Google, Department of Education, DOE

☆ Student-loan borrowers are facing 'serious risks' to their credit scores following the 'chaotic' payment resumption, 4 Democratic lawmakers say
▼ + stars: | 2023-12-04 | by ( Ayelet Sheffey | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Four Democrats recently wrote a letter that raised concerns about student-loan repayment challenges. They said they're worried servicer errors could hurt borrowers' credit scores. AdvertisementIt's been just over two months since federal student-loan payments resumed and millions of borrowers have already faced a range of difficulties with the transition. Elizabeth Warren, Bernie Sanders, Richard Blumenthal, and Chris Van Hollen sent a letter to Education Secretary Miguel Cardona expressing concerns about challenges student-loan borrowers have faced over the past few months. "For example, we are concerned that ED's credit reporting processes may expose borrowers' credit scores to unanticipated consequences," the letter said.

Persons: they're, —, It's, Elizabeth Warren, Bernie Sanders, Richard Blumenthal, Chris Van Hollen, Secretary Miguel Cardona, it's Organizations: Education Department, Service, Democratic, Secretary, Department, Democrats, Federal Student Aid, House Republicans Locations: Sens

☆ The new FAFSA will be available by Dec. 31 — what families need to know about the college financial aid form
▼ + stars: | 2023-12-04 | by ( Jessica Dickler | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

The earlier families fill out the form, the better their chances are of receiving aid, since some financial aid is awarded on a first-come, first-served basis, or from programs with limited funds. However, that shouldn't prevent families from completing the FAFSA in the days that follow, he added. "While there may be some hiccups along the way, students and families should do what they need to do to file as soon as possible," he said. Up until now, "the multiple student adjustment has been the single most important data element affecting one's eligibility for federal student aid," Chany said. At the same time, the new FAFSA will raise the family income threshold, making more students eligible for federal need-based aid.

Persons: Rick Castellano, Sallie Mae, Castellano, What's, Kalman Chany, Chany, Pell Grant, Mark Kantrowitz Organizations: IRS, slims, Department, Education, Princeton, CNBC

☆ Meet the typical student-loan borrower: a millennial woman with a $35,000 balance who wants debt relief
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-26 | by ( Ayelet Sheffey | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

Millennials hold the most student debt, with an average balance of about $35,000 per person. Most student-loan borrowers want Biden to deliver broad debt relief. Take Helena, a 58-year-old borrower with $145,000 in student debt who previously had to sell items on eBay to afford her payments. That amount varies by generation: the average Gen Z borrower holds $24,472 in student debt, the average millennial holds $42,637 in student debt, and the average Gen Xer holds $48,733 in student debt, according to TransUnion. A Morning Consult and Politico poll in June 2022, right before Biden's first debt relief plan was announced, found that of 2,000 registered voters, 65% of respondents aged 18 to 34 supported $10,000 in debt relief, with 61% of respondents aged 35 to 44 feeling the same.

Persons: Millennials, Biden, —, Helena, Joe Biden's, Theresa Teders, that's, it's, Xer, Zers, millennials, Gen Xers —, Biden's Organizations: Service, eBay, Education Department, Higher, American Association of University Women, Federal Student Aid, Politico

☆ My son is applying to 17 colleges. The stress is becoming too much for both of us.
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-18 | by ( Erika Ebsworth-Goold | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

My son is applying to 17 colleges, and the application process is causing us both stress. My son is staying up late to get it all done, but I'm trying to make sure he stays healthy. download the app Email address Sign up By clicking “Sign Up”, you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy . Thankfully, we've gotten some great advice from his school's college counselor. AdvertisementAs intense and emotional as applying to college is, I know this will all be worth it in the end.

Persons: —, he's, He's, we've, who've, We've Organizations: Service, International, Federal Student Aid, College Locations: It's

☆ The new FAFSA rolls out soon—and 1.5 million more students will have maximum Pell Grant eligibility
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-15 | by ( Kamaron Mcnair | In Kamaronmcnair | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

College students and their families will see a newly redesigned Free Application for Federal Student Aid when they apply for financial aid in the coming months. The updated FAFSA — which is slated to be available by the end of December — will not only streamline the process and make it easier for families to apply for aid, but also expand eligibility for federal aid, including Pell Grants. Under the changes, 610,00 more students nationwide will become eligible for Pell Grants and nearly 1.5 million more students will receive maximum Pell Grant eligibility, the Department of Education said in a press release on Wednesday. The maximum Pell Grant award was $7,395 for the 2023-24 aid year. "More students are going to get Pell Grants, they're going to get larger Pell Grants, and it's going to be easier to navigate the financial aid system as a whole," James Kvaal, Under Secretary of Education, tells CNBC Make It.

Persons: Pell, Grant, Pell Grant, James Kvaal Organizations: Federal Student Aid, Pell Grants, Department of Education, CNBC

☆ Republicans are dealing a 'devastating blow' to student-loan borrowers through a funding proposal that could 'severely' strain customer service support, Biden's administration says
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-14 | by ( Ayelet Sheffey | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

House Republicans proposed a spending bill that would cut funding for student aid administration. If passed, the legislation would further strain customer service as borrowers navigate repayment. download the app Email address Sign up By clicking “Sign Up”, you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy . AdvertisementPresident Joe Biden's administration made clear Biden would not sign Republicans' funding proposals for education and labor in the upcoming fiscal year. AdvertisementThe House is voting on the GOP amendments on Tuesday, prior to a vote on Johnson's government funding bill which would keep the Education Department funded through February 2.

Persons: Biden, —, Joe Biden's, hasn't, Mike Johnson's, Marjorie Taylor Greene, Mary Miller, Andy Biggs Organizations: Republicans, Management, Budget, Service, of Labor, Health, Human Services, Education, OMB, Congress, GOP, Education Department, Reps Locations: America

☆ A boomer on short-term disability isn't required to make student-loan payments right now. Her servicer took out $200 from her bank anyway.
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-12 | by ( Ayelet Sheffey | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

Amy, 59, is not required to make any student loan payments while pursuing her teaching certificate. It comes as the Education Department is working to strengthen oversight over servicers. AdvertisementAdvertisementWhile federal student-loan payments resumed for most borrowers in October, Amy, 59, knew she was not expected to make any payments. "But that's not the case with student loans. "It's ridiculous these companies get contracts for federal student loans," Amy said.

Persons: Amy, servicer, —, MOHELA, Joe Biden's, servicers, Amy —, she's, that's, it's, Harris, Education Miguel Cardona Organizations: Education Department, Service, Joe Biden's Education Department, The Education Department, Aid, Biden, Harris Administration, Education

☆ Student-loan borrowers facing bad customer service could be transferred to a 'high-performing' company if issues persist, Biden's Education Department says
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-10 | by ( Ayelet Sheffey | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

The Education Department released new guidance on holding student-loan servicers accountable. download the app Email address Sign up By clicking “Sign Up”, you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy . AdvertisementAdvertisementPresident Joe Biden's Education Department just warned student-loan companies that they can't keep getting away with bad behavior. On Thursday, the Education Department announced a new framework for holding services accountable as the transition back into repayment for millions of borrowers continues. The framework outlines how the department will monitor the quality of customer service borrowers are receiving from their servicers, along with punishments when servicers do not fulfill their contractual obligations.

Persons: servicers, —, Joe Biden's, Harris, Education Miguel Cardona Organizations: Education Department, Service, Joe Biden's Education, Biden, Harris Administration, Education, MOHELA Locations: servicers

☆ Some student-loan borrowers are surprised to find their accounts are suddenly in forbearance. Here's why that might be happening.
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-09 | by ( Ayelet Sheffey | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

Some student-loan borrowers are logging into their accounts and seeing it in forbearance. AdvertisementAdvertisementIf you recently logged into your student-loan account and were surprised to see it placed in forbearance, you're not alone. Over the past few days, student-loan borrowers primarily serviced by MOHELA have logged into their accounts to see their loans were no longer in active repayment. Still, the borrower's account continues to show a payment due with interest accruing, according to documents reviewed by Insider. AdvertisementAdvertisementWas your student-loan account placed on administrative forbearance without any notice?

Persons: servicer, —, MOHELA, servicers, forbearance, Scott Buchanan, Elizabeth Warren, Ed Markey, Chris Van Hollen, Richard Blumenthal, Scott Giles Organizations: Department, Service, Public, Student Loan, — Locations: forbearance, MOHELA, Sens

☆ 2.9 million student-loan borrowers are making $0 monthly payments through a new program Republicans are trying to repeal
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-09 | by ( Ayelet Sheffey | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

The Education Department released data showing 5.5 million borrowers have enrolled in the new SAVE plan. Of those borrowers, 2.9 million of them are making $0 monthly payments. AdvertisementAdvertisementMillions of student-loan borrowers are not paying anything toward their balances right now thanks to President Joe Biden's new repayment plan — but Republicans and one Democrat are seeking to block it. On Wednesday, the Education Department announced that 5.5 million student-loan borrowers are now enrolled in the new SAVE income-driven repayment plan intended to lower monthly payments to borrowers. The latest SAVE data from the Education Department comes just over a month after federal student-loan payments resumed following an over three-year pause.

Persons: Joe Manchin, —, Joe Biden's, Education James Kvaal, Pell Grant, Democratic Sen, Bill Cassidy, John Thune, John Cornyn, Biden, servicers Organizations: Education Department, Republican, Service, Education, SAVE, Democratic, GOP, Federal Student Aid, Federal Locations: Sens, Biden's

☆ Student-loan forgiveness and cheaper monthly payments are on the line as the GOP's plan to slash Education Department funding moves forward
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-08 | by ( Ayelet Sheffey | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

House Republicans proposed a bill to cut funding for the Education Department. AdvertisementAdvertisementFunding cuts could be coming for the Education Department, and key programs for student-loan borrowers are at risk. These funding cuts would come just over a month into federal student-loan borrowers' return to repayment after an over three-year pause. The GOP appropriations lawmakers, however, wrote that the "Department diverted taxpayer resources for its partisan, costly student loan policies, when it needed to be preparing for an orderly resumption of Federal student loan payments." "The Department repeatedly delayed the return to loan repayment, which generated uncertainty and undermined a timely and orderly restart of loan payments," they wrote.

Persons: —, Biden, Virginia Foxx, Ben Miller Organizations: Republicans, Education Department, Service, Labor, Health, Human Services, Education, Federal Student Aid, GOP

☆ A major student-loan company is giving millions of borrowers 'inadequate' information as it works to solve billing inaccuracies, 4 Democratic lawmakers say
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-08 | by ( Ayelet Sheffey | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

The Education Department withheld pay from student-loan company MOHELA over repayment errors. AdvertisementAdvertisementSeveral Democratic lawmakers aren't happy with the way a major student-loan company is resolving account errors for millions of borrowers. @MOHELA has failed to provide borrowers with accurate, timely information about their loans, forcing millions into forbearance. The Education Department said it will continue oversight over servicers to crack down on mistakes that are putting borrowers at risk. Are you experiencing challenges with student-loan repayment?

Persons: MOHELA, —, aren't, Elizabeth Warren, Ed Markey, Chris Van Hollen, Richard Blumenthal, Scott Giles, forbearance, @MOHELA, yKdYeyTfV3 — Ed Markey, Giles, MOHELA's, Miguel Cardona Organizations: Department, Service, Democratic, Education Department, MOHELA, Federal Locations: Sens

☆ Some student-loan borrowers will lose out on debt relief if they don't take action by the end of the year
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-08 | by ( Ayelet Sheffey | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

The Education Department is getting relief to some student-loan borrowers through a one-time account adjustment. Over the summer, President Joe Biden's Education Department announced a one-time account adjustment for borrowers on income-driven repayment plans and Public Service Loan Forgiveness. Following past issues tracking payments for borrowers in targeted relief programs, the adjustment allows borrowers another shot to have their accounts evaluated, and updated correctly, to bring them closer to debt relief. One group eligible for those relief programs is borrowers who hold Federal Family Education Loans. The Education Department instructed servicers to place all impacted borrowers on administrative forbearance without interest accrual until the issues are resolved.

Persons: —, Joe Biden's, servicers Organizations: Department, Service, Joe Biden's Education Department, Public, Education Department, Higher

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