The U.S. Department of Education unveiled the FAFSA College Support Strategy on February 5, streamlining the financial aid process by deploying experts, allocating $50 million for support, and offering user-friendly tips for students.
By Ayla Ozturk
On Monday, February 5, 2024, the U.S. Department of Education [USDE] introduced the FAFSA College Support Strategy to assist students, families, and schools in completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid [FAFSA].
This strategy includes additional staff, funding, resources, and technology to simplify the application process.
The USDE states, “The Department’s top priority is to ensure students can access the maximum financial aid possible to help them pursue their higher education goals and bring college in reach for more Americans.”
The Strategy
The USDE introduced FAFSA ‘Pro Tips‘ to provide students and families with tips for completing and submitting the FAFSA form.
People will have access to a customer service line with financial aid experts for individual support.
$50 million in federal funding will be allocated to non-profit organizations specializing in financial aid support.
These organizations will hire professionals to provide technical assistance and support for under-resourced colleges, assess system readiness, implement updates, train staff, and ensure compliance with student aid requirements.
Additionally, the USDE has started posting data and resources to aid FAFSA completion and improve the user experience.
Federal financial aid experts will be placed at colleges with fewer resources to provide them with the necessary tools and information to process financial aid packages.
The experts will help these colleges understand the steps they must take to prepare and deliver direct on-campus support for their students.
The USDE will soon provide institutional student financial aid information records (ISIRs) to financial aid offices. This will help colleges prepare their systems to create aid packages efficiently.
Ayla Ozturk
Ayla Ozturk, class of 2024, is a fourth-year journalism student passionate about leading the News section. She is dedicated to informing students and amplifying their voices through Government and Politics writing.
You can reach her at ayla.oz3769@vusd.us.
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