How Changes to the FAFSA are Impacting Students’ Access to College Financial Aid

The 2024 FAFSA rollout was plagued with problems that have made it difficult for many students to access vital college financial aid on time. Major glitches with the updated online application system and calculation errors left the process in disarray. Over 1 million forms had to be reprocessed due to mistakes. As a result, far fewer students than normal have submitted the FAFSA needed to qualify for grants, loans, and scholarships so critical to financing their education.

The delays have put high school seniors and current college students in a difficult position. Without receiving financial aid award letters from colleges, it is nearly impossible for applicants to understand the true cost of attendance. And make informed enrollment decisions. The May 1 deadline for committing to a school is fast approaching. But significant numbers of students still have no idea how much college financial aid they will receive to help cover tuition and other expenses.

How Can The System Be Improved?

Many experts argue the flawed FAFSA rollout shows the need for reform to the byzantine federal student aid process. Suggestions include simplifying the application, making aid amounts more predictable, and finding ways to make the system more transparent overall. Some also call for greater public funding to make college financial aid more accessible through programs like tuition-free community college. Both parties agree changes are badly needed to reduce the burden of student loan debt. And help low-income students in particular.

The Department of Education is working to fix remaining issues for current applicants. However, only time will tell if they can successfully prevent similar problems when the 2025-26 FAFSA opens in October. For now, many families are left anxiously awaiting news about their college financial aid options as important deadlines fast approach.