MIDDLE & High School

The U.S. Education Department (USED) recently announced that data from college-bound students’ Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) will not be delivered to colleges until March. While news of this delay is disconcerting, here is some guidance and information for students and families:

• Students should still complete the FAFSA. If they are experiencing technical errors, they should be patient and keep trying, especially when it comes to reaching Federal Student Aid (FSA) by phone.  Students can also contact their prospective colleges and let them know that they are having problems with their submission. Federal Student Aid continues to correct errors. 

• Anyone who has submitted their FAFSA but needs to make corrections will be able to do so once the FAFSA data is processed in March.

• National college access organizations are urging colleges and universities to extend financial aid and admissions deadlines in light of the delayed data. Colleges that depend on the FAFSA to make aid offers will most likely be delayed in sending offers to students. However, there is widespread understanding that students need these aid offers to make a college decision.

High schools and school districts that are accustomed to receiving data on how many of their students have completed the FAFSA should keep in mind that the data will be delayed in DESE’s tool until the data begins flowing from USED.

To help counselors and families with the new FAFSA, which went live on December 30, the Massachusetts Education Financing Authority (MEFA) is holding several online events, including one on “Navigating the Challenges and Delays of the New FAFSA” for students and families from 4:00 to 5:00 p.m. on Wednesday, February 21.