FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Erin Powers
Director of Marketing & Communications 
(202) 785-6959 
[email protected]

WASHINGTON, DC, Tuesday, July 13, 2021 — The Department of Education (ED) today announced that it would be making temporary changes to the verification process for the 2021-22 award year as a means of providing relief to students financially challenged by the pandemic and aim to reduce barriers to enrollment for millions of low-income students to access financial aid. 

Justin Draeger, president and CEO of NASFAA, issued the following statement:

“Each year, the verification process poses unnecessary hurdles for students who are most in need of student financial assistance,” said NASFAA President Justin Draeger. “Verification disproportionately impacts low-income students, the very same population that has been most negatively impacted by the pandemic. This singular act from the Department of Education provides sweeping relief to students and schools when they need it most, and will fast track financial aid dollars to students who are otherwise mired in bureaucratic red tape.” 

Learn more about improving the verification process here.

About NASFAA

The National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators (NASFAA) is a nonprofit membership organization that represents more than 28,000 financial aid professionals at nearly 3,000 colleges, universities, and career schools across the country. NASFAA member institutions serve nine out of every 10 undergraduates in the United States. Based in Washington, D.C., NASFAA is the only national association with a primary focus on student aid legislation, regulatory analysis, and training for financial aid administrators.