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☆ 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

☆ 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

☆ 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 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

☆ Shohei Ohtani's $700 million contract sparks concern about taxes on deferred income for high earners
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-09 | by ( Kate Dore | Cfp | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Japanese baseball player Shohei Ohtani attends a press conference on his presentation after signing a 10-year deal with the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodgers Stadium in Los Angeles, California, on Dec. 14, 2023. Roughly a month after Shohei Ohtani signed a $700 million contract with Major League Baseball's Los Angeles Dodgers, California's controller is calling for "immediate and decisive action" from Congress to limit deferred income for higher earners. The Japanese pitcher's record-breaking deal defers $680 million for 10 years and has raised questions about future state taxability — especially if Ohtani eventually leaves California. Deferring $68 million annually for 10 years could save Ohtani $98 million over the life of his contract, according to an estimate from the California Center for Jobs and the Economy. However, the estimate uses several assumptions, and the exact terms of Ohtani's contract are unknown.

Persons: Shohei Ohtani, Ohtani, Malia Cohen, Jan Organizations: Los Angeles Dodgers, Dodgers, Major League Baseball's Los Angeles Dodgers, Finance, California Center, Jobs Locations: Los Angeles , California, California

☆ Supreme Court hears tax case on 'income': It may 'have the biggest fiscal policy effects of any court decision,' expert says
▼ + stars: | 2023-12-05 | by ( Kate Dore | Cfp | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

The Supreme Court is set to hear oral arguments Tuesday on a case that could affect broad swaths of the U.S. tax code and federal revenue. The closely watched case, Moore v. United States, involves a Washington couple, Charles and Kathleen Moore. Designed as a transition tax, the legislation required a one-time levy on earnings and profits accumulated in foreign entities after 1986. While the 16th Amendment outlines the legal definition of income, the Moore case questions whether individuals must "realize" or receive profits before incurring taxes. It's an issue that has been raised during past federal "billionaire tax" debates and could affect future proposals, including wealth taxes.

Persons: Moore, Charles, Kathleen Moore, Donald Trump's, Moores, Matt Gardner Organizations: Taxation, Economic, Finance Locations: United States, Washington

☆ 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

☆ 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

☆ Capitol Hill Targets Legacy Preferences for College Admissions
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-07 | by ( Lindsay Wise | Jennifer Calfas | ) www.wsj.com time to read: +1 min

Changes to the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or Fafsa, will allow people to make contributions to their 401(k) without it impacting the amount of financial aid they receive. WSJ personal-finance reporter Oyin Adedoyin joins host J.R. Whalen to discuss. PHOTO: ISTOCKWASHINGTON—Senators are taking fresh aim at legacy and donor preferences for admission to college, as advantages given to certain students and groups come under increasing scrutiny following a recent Supreme Court ruling striking down the use of race in college admissions. and Tim Kaine (D., Va.)—called the MERIT Act—would try to end legacy admissions at colleges and universities. The bipartisan legislation would add a new standard for accreditation under the Higher Education Act that would prohibit institutions from giving preferential treatment during the admissions process based on an applicant’s relationship to alumni or donors.

Persons: Oyin Adedoyin, Whalen, Todd Young, Tim Kaine, — Organizations: Federal Student Aid, WASHINGTON —, Sens, Higher Locations: Ind, Va

☆ A government shutdown in 12 days could make student-loan borrowers' repayment and customer service struggles even worse
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-06 | by ( Ayelet Sheffey | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

A shutdown could worsen the repayment challenges student-loan borrowers are experiencing. AdvertisementAdvertisementA government shutdown is once again looming, and it's threatening an already precarious return to repayment for student-loan borrowers. Thousands of federal workers would be furloughed, meaning Americans could face delays with customer service in programs like Social Security, along with student-loan repayment assistance. Even before federal student-loan payments officially resumed in October, borrowers were experiencing severe delays getting help from their student-loan servicers due to hours-long hold times and issues processing paperwork. Further limiting the number of customer service representatives available in the event of a shutdown would place a greater strain on borrowers.

Persons: —, Mike Johnson, Johnson, Rosa DeLauro, Scott Buchanan Organizations: Service, Washington, Democratic, Social Security, Management, Education, Education Department, Federal, Aid, Student Loan, —

☆ Saving More in a 401(k) Can Now Boost Your College Financial Aid
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-29 | by ( Oyin Adedoyin | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

Many families struggle with giving priority to saving for college and retirement. Photo: ISTOCKFaced with the gargantuan cost of higher education, Americans often have to choose between securing their children’s future or their own. A new rule change makes it slightly easier to do both. Pretax contributions made to retirement accounts will no longer count as income in the formula that measures a family’s ability to pay for college, under changes to this year’s Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or Fafsa. The Education Department made the changes to simplify the form and ensure more aid goes to those who need it most.

Organizations: Federal Student Aid, The Education Department

A student loan is reported as an installment loan on your credit report and can affect your credit score. How to build credit with your student loanPracticing good student loan management can positively affect your credit score. Monitor your credit report — Regularly checking your credit report helps you spot inaccuracies and stay on top of your credit. Consolidate or refinance federal student loansYou can apply for student loan consolidation if you need help managing multiple federal student loans. How student loans affect credit scores frequently asked questionsHow much do student loans affect credit scores?

Persons: servicers, isn't, —, you've Organizations: Federal Locations: Federal

☆ What is the Student Aid Report?
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-24 | by ( Aly J. Yale | Richard Richtmyer | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +14 min

The Student Aid Report summarizes the information on your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). See Insider's picks for the best private student loans >>What is the Student Aid Report (SAR)? The Student Aid Report is a document that, through the 2023-2024 school year, was used to summarize the data submitted on a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Federal student aid eligibilityYour summary will also include your Student Aid Index — formerly called the Expected Family Contribution. Schools and aid offersThe schools you apply to don't actually receive your FAFSA Submission Summary (formerly Student Aid Report).

Persons: —, Shannon Vasconcelos, Robert Kersey, you'll, Kersey, Vasconcelos, Perkins, Pell Grant, Elaine Rubin, You'll Organizations: Federal Student Aid, Service, Bright Horizons, Grants, What's, College of Charleston, Education, Department, Department of Federal Student Aid, Internal Revenue Service, SAR Locations: FAFSA.gov

☆ Charlie Javice, who faces charges after JP Morgan said she defrauded them out of $175 million, says US prosecutors are using 'cherry-picked' evidence to help their case
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-15 | by ( Katie Hawkinson | Jack Newsham | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Charlie Javice says JP Morgan is withholding thousands of documents that could help her case. Javice is facing federal charges after JP Morgan claimed she defrauded them out of $175 million. Now, the 31-year-old claims JP Morgan has failed to produce "likely thousands" of documents that could help her defense. In April, the federal prosecutors charged Javice with making false claims and submitting false data to JP Morgan after the bank acquired Frank for $175 million. AdvertisementAdvertisementProsecutors said Javice lied to JP Morgan about the number of people relying on her company.

Persons: Charlie Javice, Morgan, Javice, JP Morgan, —, Frank, Slack, Damian Williams, Prosecutors, Mark Kantrowitz, Kantrowitz Organizations: Service, Department of Justice, JP, Federal Student Aid, Justice

☆ Should you apply early to college? It could affect your odds of acceptance but also your financial aid
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-02 | by ( Jessica Dickler | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +5 min

Early decision, on the other hand, can "help leverage someone's admissions chances." Despite the possibility of improving your odds of acceptance, there are other factors to consider, especially when it comes to financial aid. For colleges, early decision is a win-winFor schools, offering students an option to apply early has clear advantages. In addition, getting a head start on the makeup of the freshman class helps admissions officers balance out enrollment needs with financial aid requests. (Some schools also offer another option, called Early Decision II, which is due in January.)

Persons: Eric Greenberg, Rick Castellano, Sallie Mae, — that's, Vasconcelos, Robert Franek, Greenberg, Franek, Jeff Greenberg, Louis Organizations: Greenberg Educational Group, Federal Student Aid, The Princeton, Greenberg Educational, Getty, Princeton, Emory University, Colgate University, Swarthmore College, Tulane University, Middlebury College, Washington University Locations: New York, St, Vermont

☆ The FAFSA won't open on Oct. 1 this year—here's when you'll be able to apply for student financial aid
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-30 | by ( Kamaron Mcnair | In Kamaronmcnair | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid, better known as FAFSA, typically opens on Oct. 1, but this year families will have to wait until December. The form — which uses parents' income and a litany of other information to determine a student's need for financial aid — is being updated, and hopefully, simplified. However, implementing those changes means students and families will not be able to apply for aid for the 2024-25 school year until December 2023. "[The Department of Education] is concerned that once October comes around, people will start looking for the FAFSA," McCarthy says. But the change in schedule could have some families concerned about what it means for their student's financial aid package.

Persons: —, Karen McCarthy, McCarthy Organizations: Federal Student Aid, Department of Education, National Association of Student Financial, CNBC

The Office of Management and Budget reminded senior agency officials Friday to update and review shutdown plans. Those plans can vary from shutdown to shutdown. The nearly 4 million Americans who are federal employees will feel the effect immediately. Essential workers will remain on the job, but others will be furloughed until the shutdown is over. For many of them, a shutdown would strain their finances, as it did during the record 35-day funding lapse in 2018-2019.

Persons: “, ”, Doreen Greenwald, Everett Kelley, Pell, disbursing Pell, It’s, treasurers Organizations: CNN, Management, National Treasury Employees Union, American Federation of Government Employees, Transportation Security Administration, Social Security, TSA, of Labor Statistics, Federal Reserve, Business Administration, Futures, US Centers for Disease Control, Drug Administration, Safety, Health Administration, Environmental Protection Agency, ”, Smithsonian, National, National Archives, National Park Service, of Education, Federal Student Aid, Federal, Department of, Assistance, SNAP, US Department of Agriculture, Women, of Housing, Urban Development, Commission, Research, NOAA, Oceanic, Administration, National Science Foundation, Peace Corps, State Department, Defense Department Locations: United States, America, Washington, DC, shutdowns

☆ Fafsa Changes Are Coming. Here’s What You Should Know.
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-31 | by ( Cheryl Winokur Munk | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

Journal Reports: Investing MonthlyNow That We’re Retired, Is It Time to Move to Kansas? By Stephen Kreider Yoder , and Karen Kreider YoderThere are a lot of reasons to leave San Francisco. But there are just as many reasons to stay.

Persons: Stephen Kreider Yoder, Karen Kreider Yoder Locations: Kansas, San Francisco

☆ Student loan payments restart in October — here are changes borrowers can expect
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-31 | by ( Annie Nova | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

A new servicer, for someMillions of federal student loan borrowers will have a different servicer when payments resume in October. Impacted borrowers should get emails about the change, said Scott Buchanan, executive director of the Student Loan Servicing Alliance, a trade group for federal student loan servicers. Borrowers previously with FedLoan should be transferred to MOHELA, or the Missouri Higher Education Loan Authority, he said. Another repayment optionFederal student loan borrowers can now sign up for the Biden administration's new loan repayment plan, and they could be enrolled in it by the time the bills resume. If your student loan servicer can't process your application for the SAVE plan by the time payments resume, it should place you in a temporary forbearance.

Persons: Julia Amaral, they'll, Granite State —, Scott Buchanan, Buchanan, FAFSA, Mark Kantrowitz, Kantrowitz, servicer, Biden, they're, Joe Biden Organizations: Istock, Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency, Student Loan, Alliance, Finance, Missouri Higher Education Loan Authority, EdFinancial Services, Lakes Higher, Federal Services, Biden, Valuable Education, Public, Education Department Locations: That's, Pennsylvania, Granite State, MOHELA, Missouri, StudentAid.gov

It’s not too late to apply for financial aid or appeal the financial aid amount that was given. “It doesn’t mean that we run out of funding,” said Phil Asbury, Director of Financial Aid at Northwestern. With the financial aid office, students shouldn’t brag or boast about grades. Explain what has changed in your situationAt Emory University, “students can contact the Office of Financial Aid at any point” with what’s called “a special-circumstances appeal,” said John Leach, Associate Vice Provost for Enrollment and University Financial Aid. Inform the school’s financial aid office right away and in some cases, financial aid can increase, he said.

Persons: It’s, ”, Phil Asbury, “ Don’t, Lissett Bohannon, “ It’s, University of Chicago’s Youssef Hasweh, Hasweh, shouldn’t, what’s, John Leach, Leach, ” Leach, FAFSA, Vicki Vollweiler, Vollweiler, Miranda McCall, Duke, ” McCall, “ Organizations: CNN, Columbia University, University of Wisconsin, University of Colorado, Education Data Initiative, Northwestern University, Aid, Northwestern, University of Chicago’s, Federal Student Aid, Emory University, Financial, Enrollment, University Financial, College Financial, “ Locations: New York City, Madison, University of Colorado Boulder, United States, Illinois

☆ A New FAFSA Form Is Coming, Along With Changes in College Aid
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-11 | by ( Ann Carrns | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +2 min

College students must file the form each year to get financial aid from the federal government. Many states and colleges also base their own aid on the federal form. Some changes, like shielding more of a family’s income from the aid calculation, tend to increase eligibility for financial help. About a third of college students have a sibling who is also enrolled, Dr. Levine said. One rationale for the change is that financing a college education now involves long-term saving and borrowing, and isn’t something that most people can pay for with their current income.

Persons: Pell, MorraLee Keller, Levine, ” Dr Organizations: Education Department, National College

UTMAs/UGMAs accounts are taxable custodial accounts set up by parents or guardians for the benefit of a minor. Unlike 529 plan accounts, which are specifically for college savings and higher-education expenses, UTMA/UGMA accounts offer more flexibility. UTMA UGMA Custodial account ✓ ✓ Flexible spending ✓ ✓ Kiddie tax ✓ ✓ Available in all US states x ✓ Allows real assets ✓ xYou can open a UGMA in all US statesUGMAs are available in all 50 US states, but you can't open a UTMA in South Carolina or Vermont. You can put real assets into a UTMAThe main difference between UGMA and UTMA accounts is that UGMA's are limited. UGMA accounts do allow the following properties:CashStocksBondsMutual fundsOther financial productsOnly UTMA accounts allow real assets like real estate and cars.

Persons: Dexter Wyckoff, UTMA, Wyckoff, doesn't, it's, you'll Organizations: Service, Northwestern Mutual Locations: Wall, Silicon, South Carolina, Vermont

☆ Student-loan borrowers might face even more hurdles resuming payments if Republicans end up passing their new proposal to cut funding for the Education Department
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-19 | by ( Ayelet Sheffey | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

House Republicans are proposing cutting funding for Federal Student Aid by $265 million. Last week, Republicans on the House Appropriations Committee released a series of bills for funding federal agencies through fiscal year 2024. "Right now, House Republicans are pursuing an appropriations bill that cuts $22.5 BILLION from education," Education Secretary Miguel Cardona wrote on Twitter. Cutting funding could pose significant challenges to borrowers, along with the operations of Federal Student Aid. Some Democratic lawmakers have also expressed concerns about a lack of funding for Federal Student Aid.

Persons: it's, Joe Biden's, Biden, Miguel Cardona, Jared Bass, Federal Student Aid . Massachusetts Sen, Elizabeth Warren, Tammy Baldwin, Shelley Moore Capito Organizations: Republicans, Federal, Aid, Service, Republican, Labor, Health, Human Services, Education, House Republicans, Twitter, Federal Student Aid, Public, Center, American Progress, Democratic, Federal Student Aid ., Department of Education, Education Department Locations: Wall, Silicon, Federal Student Aid . Massachusetts

529 College Savings PlansI’m a parent of a toddler. What are the implications of following these two approaches: Gamble on financial aid, or be unethical? — A California readerThere are many misconceptions about how 529 college savings plans will affect a prospective student’s eligibility for financial aid, but your initial hunch was correct. If the 529 account is owned by a grandparent or another relative, it is not included in financial aid calculations. Some good news: Grandparent withdrawals will no longer be reported on the upcoming financial aid form, released in December for the 2024-25 academic year, financial aid and 529 experts said.

Persons: Gamble, it’s Organizations: Federal Student Aid Locations: California

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