"The clock turned over on the financial aid calendar with the launch of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) earlier this month. With fall enrollment tracking far below last year's numbers, ensuring students are aware of their aid options is critical as the pandemic persists," Education Dive reports.

..."Another report, from the National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators (NASFAA), found that 60% of colleges got more requests to personally evaluate financial aid awards between March and September than the same time last year.

This uncertainty among students and families has compounded an already complex process. Education Dive contacted several financial aid experts and asked them one question: What changes in the financial aid process should colleges account for during the pandemic, and how should they communicate those changes to students, families and the public?

Their emailed responses, edited lightly for clarity and length, are below.

Brenda Hicks, director of financial aid, Southwestern College, Kansas

'One of the biggest challenges facing financial aid offices this year is the number of students and families who are financially stressed for reasons brought on by the pandemic. Congress and the U.S. Department of Education have provided some relief in the form of suspended interest and loan payments, emergency grants and expanded flexibilities on some regulatory rules and deadlines. Financial aid offices should educate themselves on the extent of these flexibilities and examine how they can be implemented locally to help students in need.'"

NASFAA's "Notable Headlines" section highlights media coverage of financial aid to help members stay up to date with the latest news. Articles included under the notable headlines section are not written by NASFAA, but rather by external sources. Inclusion in Today's News does not imply endorsement of the material or guarantee the accuracy of information presented.

Publication Date: 10/16/2020