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The House Higher Education and Workforce Investment subcommittee on Thursday delved into issues surrounding the closed school discharge process for students who attended institutions that abruptly closed, with the goal of improving upon students' fiscal well-being, better degree outcomes and oversight of federal protections. The hearing centered on a newly released report from the Government Accountability Office (GAO) that studied the impact abrupt school closures had on borrowers’ student loan balances.

The Department of Education (ED) recently published a resource page detailing its upcoming negotiated rulemaking hearings for the week of October 4. The public will have the opportunity to register for a given virtual session, access related documents and obtain additional information concerning the negotiated rulemaking process for the weeks ahead. Stay tuned to Today’s News for coverage of the upcoming sessions and be sure to catch up on our Negotiated Rulemaking coverage.

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) became available this morning for the academic year that will run July 1, 2022–June 30, 2023. As with last year, students and parents can complete and submit the 2022–2023 FAFSA on a computer via the Federal Student Aid website, on a phone or tablet by using the Department of Education's myStudentAid mobile app, or by printing and mailing a PDF. The FAFSA application webpage does include a note urging students whose own or family’s financial situation has changed significantly from what is reflected on their federal income tax return to submit their FAFSA form and then contact the school(s) they plan to attend to discuss how their financial situation has changed. Head to the Student Aid Reference Desk to find all you need to know about the FAFSA and circumstances that require professional judgment.

This October NASFAA has a busy webinar line-up starting with the FAFSA Update: 2022-23 Webinar on October 12, followed by the complimentary Financial Wellness webinar on October 20. Round out the month on October 27 with the Q&A-based webinar Center Stage: Verification and Conflicting Information 2022-23 (Extended Edition). Don’t forget NASFAA is also offering the new aid officer training series, which wraps up October 14. If you can’t attend live, you can easily watch NASFAA’s webinars on-demand. Register now.

The latest certification testing window has closed and the Registry continues to grow! The Certified Financial Aid Administrator^® Commission — an independent certifying body of NASFAA — has now certified more than 285 financial aid professionals who have earned the FAAC^® designation. This designation recognizes the knowledge, experience, and dedication to ethical behavior that are the hallmarks of the financial aid profession. If you’re interested in becoming certified, verify your eligibility using our free, interactive tool. The next two-week testing window opens on October 27, 2021.

Please join us in congratulating Sarah Kasabian-Larson, formerly the associate director of financial aid at Alma College who is now the director of financial aid at Mid Michigan College. Congratulations are also in order for Samantha McCarron who was promoted from associate director to director of financial aid at Northern Illinois University. We'd also like to congratulate Ashlea Buntin, FAAC®, who is now the associate director of financial aid at Wake Forest University School of Business. Celebrate your own career developments by completing the "Movers and Shakers" form to share the news with your colleagues.

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