Above all else, the new Free Application for Federal Student Aid was designed to improve college access. As of the last tally, nearly 4 million students have submitted the 2024-25 FAFSA form so far. That’s a fraction of the 17 million students who use the FAFSA form in ordinary years, according to the U.S. Department of Education. For most students and their families, the amount of financial aid offered and the breakdown between grants, scholarships, work-study opportunities and student loans are key to covering the tab. “Every student should anticipate doing an appeal this year,” said Bethany Hubert, a financial aid specialist with Going Merry by Earnest.

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Persons: ”, Bethany Hubert, Earnest Organizations: Federal Student, U.S . Department of Education, Finance, Biden, College Board