FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Allie Arcese
Director of Communications
202-785-6954
[email protected]

WASHINGTON, D.C., DECEMBER 19, 2022 — For nearly 30 years, incarcerated individuals have had their access to postsecondary education and individual reform negatively impacted due to a federal ban that restricted their Pell Grant eligibility. But in just a matter of months, this eligibility will be restored for thousands of incarcerated students — and it is incumbent on all of those in higher education to take steps now to ensure there are solutions in place to address challenges students face in navigating the financial aid application process. 

To that end, the National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators (NASFAA) convened a working group of practicing financial aid administrators and individuals knowledgeable of the federal Second Chance Pell experimental site initiative to examine the challenges, both existing and future, that incarcerated students may face throughout the FAFSA completion process. The result of the group’s work was published today in a report that identifies promising practices learned through Second Chance Pell, and includes recommendations for the U.S. Department of Education, Congress, and considerations for colleges and universities that currently — or will in the future — operate Prison Education Programs.

The working group recommends that lawmakers and the Department of Education: provide institutions with guidance to assist in developing accurate cost of attendance for incarcerated students; modify processing systems to allow for a more seamless application process; remind institutions of existing authorities to assist students who struggle to access certain information that is required when submitting a FAFSA; provide flexibility to simplify the application verification process and resolution of student eligibility issues for incarcerated students; and more. 

And to ensure financial aid professionals are equipped with the knowledge and skills needed to support and empower the incarcerated student population, the working group recommends that NASFAA provide professional development, training, and technical assistance, and that institutions consider how they can develop strong outreach plans and internal workflows to ensure they are able to meet the unique needs of these students.

“This unique population will need additional help and resources to support them through the federal student aid process,” said NASFAA President Justin Draeger. “Thanks to the work of this task force, we have a blueprint on how we can help them take what could be one of the biggest positive changes in their life: a postsecondary education.” 

To set up an interview with a NASFAA policy expert, please email NASFAA Director of Communications Allie Arcese or call (202) 785-6954.

About NASFAA 

The National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators (NASFAA) is a nonprofit membership organization that represents more than 32,000 financial aid professionals at approximately 3,000 colleges, universities, and career schools across the country. NASFAA member institutions serve nine out of every 10 undergraduates in the U.S. Based in Washington, DC, NASFAA is the only national association with a primary focus on student aid legislation, regulatory analysis, and training for financial aid administrators.