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High School Membership

Connect to the world of higher education

As a high school member, you'll be connected to more than 11,000 members from institutions around the world. Facilitate your professional development by attending discounted meetings, gaining complimentary subscriptions to our College & University journal and more.

Why should you join? From professional development opportunities to forging connections that will help you in setting down career stones, there's more than one reason. 

Annual Membership Price: $302

Requirements: YOU MUST BE A REGISTRAR, COUNSELOR, OR OTHER PERSONNEL AT A SECONDARY SCHOOL.

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AACRAO's bi-weekly professional development e-newsletter

Ideas for FAFSA Enhancement

Jul 22, 2024, 14:49 PM
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Summary : A practitioner perspective on the FAFSA rollout and advice for how to move forward.
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By Kenneth McGhee,  Director of the DC Tuition Assistance Grant Program

A lot of hard work has taken place and is ongoing related to the 2024- 2025 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) initial rollout. Some significant changes were made, and it has impacted the questions students, parents and guardians are asking when reviewing directions. More students are now applying for college funding and planning for fall 2024 college enrollment. Plans are also in place to prepare for the 2025 – 2026 FAFSA, which is scheduled to be available on October 1, 2024. As we continue to support students to complete the process, below are some enhancement ideas for the future.

  • Contributor Definition and Clarity – For students who did not live full-time with one parent, deciding which parent to list on the FAFSA has regularly been a family question. In many cases, the 51 percent versus 49 percent calculation, related to which parent was providing the most support, took place. The change from the custodial parent to contributor question has made the decision of which parent to list even more complicated for many families. For example, some divorce decrees state which parent can claim a student on taxes in rotating years. This can also impact which state funds a student may receive and state tuition charges for public colleges. More clarity is needed to assist families make the decision of which parent to list on the FAFSA.
  • Provisional Independent Status – It is normal for students and parents to have a disagreement, but this does not automatically make a student independent on the FAFSA. The dependency appeal process allows financial aid administrators to review the specific details involved to see if a permanent incident has broken down the family unit. Some examples are abandonment by parents, an abusive family environment such as physical/mental abuse or other forms of domestic violence, and/or an unsuitable household, for example, a child removed and placed in unofficial or official care of others. More specific directions are needed so applicants are clear if they need to select this on the FAFSA or not.
  • Changing Role of Counselors – Many high school counselors and community-based college access program staff have years of experience assisting students complete the FAFSA. The revised application process has a separate parent and student section and has a built-in electronic email notification for the other section to be done once one person has done their part. This is good from a data security perspective. The counselor’s role has now changed from a FAFSA completion assistant to a FAFSA completion coordinator. Additional clarity, handouts, and outlines are needed related to the role of the student, parent/guardian, and counselor so everyone is clearer about the role they play in getting FAFSA applications completed.
Since 1995, I have watched the FAFSA process undergo many changes and improvements. One transition was moving from the paper form to an online application platform. Students with an incomplete status are now provided information in a proactive manner versus having to contact a financial aid office for initial assistance. The first electronic interaction with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) assisted many students to complete the application faster. Additional questions were added to the FAFSA to make it easier for students to explain their dependency status. Keeping the positive progress going for 2025-2026 will continue to support college access and success.
Categories :
  • Financial Aid and FAFSA
Tags :
  • FAFSA
  • Professional Development
University administration professional helping a student.
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