AACRAO, along with the National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC), the National Association of State Student Grant and Aid Programs (NASSGAP), the National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators (NASFAA), the National College Access Network (NCAN), and The College Board, issued an open letter to the education community this week applauding the bipartisan support for the switch to prior-prior-year income information (PPY) on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
The Obama administration in September announced two major FAFSA changes. First, a new initiative would allow PPY income (2015 tax year data) to be used to determine federal aid eligibility for the 2017-18 academic year. Secondly, the 2017-18 FAFSA would be available to students on October 1, 2016.
In the letter circulated on Tuesday, the groups urged colleges and universities to adapt to the change in ways that will help students and give them more time to make their decisions – and, more specifically, to preserve the traditional May 1 decision deadline.
"Together, we encourage colleges and universities and all organizations who serve our students to work towards the goal of PPY to allow students more time to plan and, ultimately, to make informed enrollment decisions," the groups wrote.
Related Links
Open Letter to the Higher Education Community
http://www.aacrao.org/docs/default-source/PDF-Files/ppysupportletter121515.pdf?sfvrsn=2