"When I was a high school senior from a very poor family, years ago, the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) represented my only chance to go to college. This year, the disastrous rollout of the new FAFSA has derailed the college plans of many low-income students, in some cases possibly killing their college dreams forever," Teen Vogue reports.

"One of the first major issues affected students from “mixed-status families,” in which at least one parent is an undocumented immigrant. The FAFSA, at that time, wouldn’t allow parents to submit their information without a social security number, which is granted only to US citizens, permanent residents, and foreigners with work visas. 'Those students who are legally eligible for financial aid couldn't fill out the form because of the parents' residency status,' says Bruecker.

Meanwhile, an array of other issues piled up and dragged on through spring and into summer. The Department of Education eventually announced a temporary fix for the issue affecting mixed-status families, but not until late April, and by that point 'the damage may have already been done,' Justin Draeger, president & CEO of the National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators, said in a statement."

NASFAA's "Notable Headlines" section highlights media coverage of financial aid to help members stay up to date with the latest news. Articles included under the notable headlines section are not written by NASFAA, but rather by external sources. Inclusion in Today's News does not imply endorsement of the material or guarantee the accuracy of information presented.

Publication Date: 8/20/2024