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This week on "Off the Cuff," Justin, Jill, and David put the latest artificial intelligence (AI) software to the test and cover the nuance of “unusual circumstances” for FAFSA simplification. Jill kicked things off with a recap of how ChatGPT, a chatbot that can be used for natural dialogue processing, fared in answering a number of financial aid-related questions. David covers the difference between special and unusual circumstances and how it relates to FAFSA simplification. 

A review of Federal Student Aid’s (FSA) transition to the Next Generation Loan Servicing Environment, has found that the agency is not performing key steps or following best practices in implementing the transition.

Are you looking to test your knowledge from the news of the week? Check out our new weekly quiz highlighting some of our coverage and updates from the past week. (Hint: Read through this week's issues of Today's News for answers.) Be on the lookout for a new quiz each Friday and let us know if any of our questions stumped you!

Make sure to tune in on Wednesday, January 25, at 2:00 p.m. ET for a conversation on FAFSA simplification between NASFAA Vice President of Public Policy and Federal Relations Karen McCarthy and Amherst College Dean of Financial Aid Gail Holt, chair of NASFAA’s FAFSA Simplification Implementation Working Group. Karen and Gail will discuss progress on FAFSA simplification, the efforts of the working group, and answer audience questions about what we know and don’t yet know about the 2024-25 FAFSA. Secure your seat today.

Please join us in congratulating Brittany Harper, formerly a financial aid counselor at the University of Washington, who is now the interim director of student financial services at North Seattle College, and Nicole Stockland, who was promoted to director of operations at Ashland University. Celebrate your own career developments by completing the "Movers and Shakers" form to share the news with your colleagues.

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