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PowerFAIDS®. Trusted by institutions of every size — including large universities managing thousands of aid applications — PowerFAIDS has welcomed more than 20 new schools in 2026. Why do they choose PowerFAIDS? Our decades-long track record of industry-leading expertise in compliance, support, and functionality. Hear from Southeastern University on why they choose PowerFAIDS or connect with us to schedule a consultation.

On Tuesday, Common Origination and Disbursement (COD) officials acknowledged, via the FSATech email listserv, an issue identified by several NASFAA member institutions who had been unable to disburse federal loan funds for students enrolled in dual degree programs such as BS-PharmD programs. These students are eligible to receive student loans based on the pre-One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) rules under the interim exception provision, but their records had been rejected by COD. 

The Department of Education (ED) announced Tuesday that it is extending the sign-up deadline for its temporary initiative in which borrowers enrolled in auto pay receive a 1% interest rate reduction on their federal student loans.

"Should the United States continue applying minor reforms to a fundamentally broken student loan system, or is it time to scrap it entirely in favor of a comprehensive, new plan? That’s the question Jillian Berman, an award-winning journalist at MarketWatch with years of experience covering higher education finance, raises in her debut book, 'Sunk Cost: Who’s to Blame for the Nation’s Broken Student Loan System.'" In the following book review, Kathleen Brown, associate director, Office of Financial Aid, University of Notre Dame, shares her opinions of its contents. What follows are her takeaways, thoughts, and reflections.

This AskRegs Knowledgebase Q&A was updated on September 29, 2026, to include guidance the U.S. Department of Education (ED) posted to the FSATECH listserv. Be sure to note the update on reporting interim exception eligibility to the Common Origination and Disbursement (COD) System. Yes, but it depends on whether the student is truly enrolled in a dual degree program and whether the student remains in that same program at the same institution. View the full answer to this question to learn more.

The NASFAA 2027 National Conference will be held in San Diego, CA, from June 20-23, 2027, and we’re looking for compelling sessions that will spark conversation and inspire attendees with ideas they can put into practice. You have the ideas, insights, and experiences that can help move our profession forward, and we want you to bring them to the stage. Share your expertise, and help shape the conference by submitting a session proposal by Oct. 23.

Blue Icon Advisors' upcoming Let's Talk session, on October 15, will focus on how financial aid leaders can build trust, communicate with confidence, and ensure their expertise is heard amid our ever changing environment and the increasing pressure from senior leadership regarding the changes, updates, revisions, and shifts. Exchange ideas and practical approaches that can assist your colleagues adapt to these regulatory changes. Check the schedule for additional upcoming topics and be sure to register for this upcoming session.

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