There were just days left to process a batch of federal financial aid applications when Education Department officials made a fateful discovery: 70,000 emails from students all over the country, containing reams of essential data.
They were sitting in an inbox, untouched.
The students’ futures depended on it.
“It needs to get untangled,” Mr. Cordray told his staff members on Thursday, according to recordings of two back-to-back meetings that The New York Times obtained.
Three years ago, Congress ordered the Education Department to revamp the new form to make it easier and more accessible.
Persons:
Richard Cordray, Mr, Cordray, ”, “
Organizations:
Education Department, New York Times, Federal Student Aid