"Students have no confidence that they are going to get the financial aid they need to make college affordable and they are opting out."
Under the new aid formula, an additional 2.1 million students should be eligible for the maximum Pell Grant, according to the U.S. Department of Education.
However, given the slower pace of FAFSA applications being submitted, "the number of Pell Grant recipients will be about the same as last year, despite the new Pell Grant formula making it easier for students to qualify," Kantrowitz said.
"The goal of FAFSA simplification was to increase the number of lower-income students applying.
FAFSA completion paves the way to college
Persons:
Anne Zinn, Kantrowitz, Pell Grant
Organizations:
National College, Network, Norwich Free Academy, U.S . Department of Education
Locations:
Norwich, Conn