Rising inflation causes problems for the newly simplified FAFSA.
By Milan Rafaelov, Editor-in-Chief
Illustration by Milan Rafaelov
After a significant three-month delay, the Department of Education’s eagerly anticipated release of the 2024-2025 FAFSA is a relief for students but many still face uncertainty about their financial aid status.
The setback was partially due following the FAFSA Simplification Act which was adopted for the 2024-2025 award year and aimed to make applying for financial aid more accessible. However, crucial adjustments to account for years of record-high inflation were neglected causing a $1.8 billion loss in student aid. This prompted the department to rectify the issue but at the expense of further delays.
Once FAFSA submissions are processed, applicants become eligible for various types of tuition assistance including the Pell Grant, state grants, and scholarships based on fiscal challenges, merit, and institutional funding. Still, the slowed processing of student applications leaves many families in limbo about how much aid they are eligible to receive.
“Any delays in financial aid processing will impact students that need aid the most,” wrote Senate Democrats in a letter to the Secretary of Education, Miguel Cardona. “For institutions to support students’ ability to make informed decisions about their future, they need clear guidance and resources from the Department immediately on any and all next steps.”
Currently, there are 14 unresolved issues on the FAFSA website, with five lacking workable solutions, hindering students from completing their submissions. Glitches on the new FAFSA website vary, while some may be minor, others block student applications from processing if their parents lack a Social Security number.
“We have a PC lab specifically open to address students and their FAFSA or other online financial aid program needs,” said Vernon Bridges from Valley’s Financial Aid Department. “ In addition to these services, we offer online assistance via Cranium Cafe and are dedicated to answering our phones throughout the day each day of the week to field questions about financial aid matters.”
Numerous experts also advise completing the forms quickly for the best possible result. Applicants can also print and mail submissions despite technical obstacles.
Since December, nearly four million FAFSA applications have been successfully submitted. Despite this, concerns persist that the chaos surrounding this year’s application process may discourage students from seeking financial help. Federal data analyzed by the National College Attainment Network reveals an 18 percent decrease in application rates among high school seniors compared to last year.
“The first time, I got lucky; I got a grant for like $4,000 extra for taking over 14 units,” said Will Flores, a first-year Valley College business major. “It allowed me to not work for maybe two months and chill… When I was working it was hard to keep up with stuff.”
Students can submit their FAFSA applications until June 30, 2025, with federal deadlines extending until Sept. 14, 2025, for corrections or updates. For state financial aid programs, applications and school-certified GPA must be submitted by April 2, 2024. For community college Cal Grants, applicants must submit their forms by Sept. 2, 2024.
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