College applicants have encountered problems during the “soft launch” of the new Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form, leaving students and their families worried they will not receive financial aid packages in time to make informed college choices.
Policy %26 Legislation Archive
Federal and state policies try to curb transcript withholding
As policymakers grow more concerned about transcript holds, federal and state lawmakers are looking for ways to close loopholes and protect students unable to repay federal or private loans.
Applicants write about race in their college essays despite end of race-conscious admissions
Colleges and counselors alike are encouraging applicants to share meaningful stories about their identities; the role of difference, discrimination, and diversity in their lives; and how those experiences could shape their future contributions to campus life.
Early application numbers show increases, especially among students from underrepresented backgrounds
A new report on the state of first-year college applications as of Nov. 1 shows a 41% increase in applicants since 2019-20, growth driven in part by a surge in the number of underrepresented minority and low-income students, as well as applicants who would enroll as first-generation college students.
New aid formula expected to significantly expand Pell Grant eligibility
Forthcoming changes to the federal student aid application and formula could increase the amount of Pell Grants students receive and allow nearly 220,000 more students to gain Pell Grant eligibility, according to a new report.
DC schools receive grant to help more students from underserved communities go to college
The U.S. Department of Education is providing $21 million in grants for coaching, workshops, and scholarships to help hundreds of Washington, DC, middle schoolers persist through high school and prepare for college.
New federal policy aims to protect student borrowers, ban most transcript withholding
The U.S. Department of Education released regulations that restrict higher education institutions from withholding course credit, protect students enrolled in schools at risk for sudden closure, and ensure schools clearly communicate how much financial aid students will receive.
Education Department awards millions for campus child care programs
The federal government is providing over $13 million for on-campus child care services that aid low-income student parents as they juggle their family and academic obligations.
California becomes latest state to grant Mexico residents living near the border access to in-state tuition
A new California law allows binational students, many of whom were born and go to school in the U.S. but live in Mexico, to pay in-state tuition at participating community colleges.
FAFSA simplification delays leave applicants, colleges on hold
A much-anticipated redesign of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) has delayed the form’s release this aid cycle, creating uncertainty for colleges, counselors, and families alike.
States with aging populations pay students to stay after graduation
Facing a shortage of skilled workers, some states are implementing programs that offer to help college graduates pay off their student loans if they agree to stay and work for a set period of time.
Georgia joins growing number of states trying direct admissions
Georgia has launched a new direct admissions program, which aims to increase college access by telling students that colleges are “holding a spot” for them and making it easy to apply.