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NASFAA, along with several higher education organizations, on Tuesday sent a letter to the Department of Education (ED) urging the department to make sure it releases a reliable 2025-26 FAFSA with end-to-end functionality, even if it means the form’s release date is delayed to as late as December 1, 2024. It’s essential that the 2025-26 FAFSA be “fully functional, reliable, and predictable for all students — no matter how complex their circumstances — from the first time they log on until they receive their financial aid offers,” the organizations wrote. That includes timely processing of applications and the ability for applicants and schools to make corrections. In the letter, the organizations also wrote that they would like to work with ED to support a “timely release of a functioning FAFSA in any way needed.”

The American Federation of Teachers (AFT), the second largest teacher's labor union in the U.S., on Monday filed a lawsuit against the Higher Education Loan Authority of the State of Missouri (MOHELA), claiming that the loan servicer allegedly illegally overcharged borrowers on their monthly student loan bills, failed to timely process paperwork, delayed their path to loan forgiveness, and actively misled borrowers.

Each year, NASFAA presents awards to deserving members of the financial aid profession and higher education community. Let's take a moment to congratulate the winners of the 2024 Meritorious Achievement Award, which is given to an individual who has made an important contribution to the Association or to the profession. Congratulations to Heather Boutell, director of student financial aid at Vanderbilt School of Medicine, and Kay Lewis, assistant vice provost of enrollment and executive director of financial aid at the University of Washington. Take a look back at past recipients of the Meritorious Achievement Award, and see all of the 2024 award recipients.

More financial aid professionals recently joined hundreds of financial aid professionals across the country who now hold the FAAC^® designation. Check the Registry to see if any of your colleagues have been certified and congratulate them for this achievement! Certified by the Certified Financial Aid Administrator^® Commission, these individuals now qualify to receive a multitude of benefits. Would you like to become certified, too? The next testing window opens on the 1st -- or take advantage of any of the upcoming testing windows. Start by exploring your eligibility today using our free interactive eligibility tool.

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