National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators

NASFAA 2024-25 Annual Report Now Published

Look back at our community's efforts and accomplishments from 2024-25: https://ow.ly/qssW50Xr5pJ

A photo illustration of Secretary of Education Linda McMahon running a shell game.

ED’s ‘Special Projects’ Grants Spark Concern Over Congressional Intent

The pushback, which arose Monday, is part of an ongoing debate about how much flexibility the Trump administration has to move money around. https://bit.ly/3LtsTFr

College program for migrant students loses federal funding The College Access Migrant Program helped create pathways for students across the Northwest to enroll at higher education institutions.

The U.S. Department of Education has found that students who take part in the College Access Migrant Program are far more likely to stay in school. But the Trump administration questions the effectiveness of such programs and calls them "extremely costly."

NASFAA Comments to ED on Proposed Revisions to the FSA Feedback System

NASFAA Comments to ED on Proposed Revisions to the FSA Feedback System: https://ow.ly/sAry50Xqw6i

👍 Refined menu options make feedback process clearer.

👎 Renaming "Submit a Complaint" button to "Submit Feedback" could create confusion because the available options continue to address grievances.

What’s the HEA Without Reauthorization? By Maria Carrasco, NASFAA Staff Reporter

What’s the HEA Without Reauthorization?

While the Higher Education Act recently celebrated its 60th anniversary, it hasn’t been reauthorized in nearly 20 years even though the law is meant to be reauthorized every five years: https://ow.ly/FW3A50XprEU

A photo of the U.S. Capitol building.

Opinion | The Higher Education Act Turns 60—and Congress Has Left It to Collect Dust

We need a comprehensive reauthorization, not policy by patchwork. https://bit.ly/4qN4UkB

#EDUSky #AcademicSky #HigherEd

Senate Hearing on Higher Ed Financial Transparency Touts Bipartisan Solutions

Brenda Hicks, director of financial aid at Southwestern College and NASFAA's 2020-21 national chair, testified for the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee: https://ow.ly/szlG50XoqUI

Department of Education negotiators

Consensus Reached: RISE Committee Supports Entire Package of OBBBA Provisions

Yesterday, amid much debate over the definition of professional student, degree, and other key student aid provisions, negotiators reached consensus on the entire package of 17 proposals: https://ow.ly/Sy1Y50XonKW

Stock image of a woman's hands using a calculator and typing on a computer. Headline reads, Exploring How Institutions Build Their Cost of Attendance. Subhead reads, Key Findings & Considerations Related to Regulating COA for the U.S. Department of Education, Institutions, and Associations.

NASFAA recently concluded a project exploring how institutions build their cost of attendance (COA) with the goal to 📄 document COA development practices, 🔎 identify common challenges, and 🚀 elevate the perspectives of financial aid professionals.

Explore the report: https://ow.ly/e2W550XnUsm

Neg Reg Continues Discussion of ‘Program of Study,’ Legacy Provisions, and New Professional Degree Definition

Read our recap of Wednesday's neg reg session to learn more: https://ow.ly/Zcy750XnOCU

A collage of a group of graduates, a teaching professor, an "AI" lightbulb, a stack of folded $100 bills and the cover of the 2025 College and University Student Success Administrators survey.

Student Success Leaders Worry About Affordability, AI and Diversity

Execs show faith in their institutions—and concern about technology, federal policy and other shifts. https://bit.ly/43jaNvH

#EDUSky #AcademicSky #HigherEd

ED Explores Regulatory Tweaks As RISE Committee Dives into Loan Rehabilitation, Program of Study, Aggregate Limits, Professional Student, and More

Read our day 2 neg reg recap: https://ow.ly/BScP50XnlX0

In the meantime, the workaround is for the student or Fin Aid Administrator (in FPP) to select “United States Minor Outlying Territories” as the country. This technical workaround should allow applicants to move forward with corrections while FSA fixes the underlying technical issue. (2/2)

FAFSA issue for residents of Puerto Rico: Applicants who list their state of residence as PR aren’t able to make a correction currently. FSA is working on a fix. (1/2)

Higher Ed May Be in Trouble if the Government Is Shut Down for Much Longer The prolonged shutdown is putting a strain on colleges that are dependent on federal dollars. Policy advocates say things will only get worse.

As the government shutdown drags on, colleges are increasingly feeling the strain.

🏆 Nominate Your Colleagues for NASFAA Awards

Every year, NASFAA recognizes outstanding members and other higher education stakeholders for their achievements and contributions to financial aid, students, and/or NASFAA.

🗳️ Submit a nomination: https://ow.ly/pcJn50Xn61X

RISE Neg Reg Committee Convenes Again to Continue Discussion of New Loan Limit Provisions

The RISE committee kicked off its second session of neg reg on Monday, focusing on the new prorated loan limits for students enrolled in less-than-full time: ow.ly/jYKF50XmqBW

The changes were made in response to an Executive Order from President Trump ordering ED to “ensure the definition of ‘public service’ excludes organizations that engage in activities that have a substantial illegal purpose.”

Here's what financial aid offices need to know: https://ow.ly/JYsM50XlUar

#NASFAAinTheNews: ..."Congress, they argue, could eliminate or simplify the policy, which the National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators suggested in a 2015 report, arguing that other safeguards like Satisfactory Academic Progress already prevent fraud"...

OTC AskRegs Experts🎙️Unpacking Cost of Attendance

🎧Listen to the full episode on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube, or on our website: ow.ly/Ej3l50XkYiO

Students ‘panicking’ about looming SNAP delays There is special concern about how delays in this program will affect students of all ages and their ability to receive an education.

There is special concern about how delays in this program will affect students of all ages and their ability to receive an education.

Shorter term, bigger gain? More colleges try eight-week calendar

Learn more: bit.ly/4qAmZSN

NASFAA members and leaders reflect on the evolution of the financial aid profession over the last 60 years since the Higher Education Act of 1965 was signed into law and NASFAA was formed: https://ow.ly/7fco50XkxuA

An excited medical graduate with a $200,000 price tag hanging off their graduation tassel.

Searching for Compromise on Student Loan Caps

Talks over which graduate programs qualify for more loans resume next week. The Education Department and higher ed negotiators remain far apart on the best solution. https://bit.ly/47KAMPd

#EDUSky #AcademicSky #HigherEd

What student loan borrowers need to know, as forgiveness resumes for two repayment plans Student loan borrowers can get their debt forgiven again under the Income Contingent Repayment and the Pay as You Earn plans. Here's what to know.

What student loan borrowers need to know, as forgiveness resumes for two repayment plans

NASFAA Provides Stakeholder Feedback to Senator's RFI on Enhancing Transparency and Affordability Within Higher Education

NASFAA has submitted comments to the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee with feedback on the ways in which Congress can work to enhance transparency in higher education and reduce student costs: https://ow.ly/Eifg50XjM0Y

Despite Shutdown, ED Releases Registration for Second RISE Neg Reg Session

Register now to watch the second session of the Reimagining and Improving Student Education (RISE) committee in-person or virtually from November 3-7: https://cvent.me/llvA52

A group of college students at SUNY Adirondack.

Trump’s DEI Crackdown Closes 120 TRIO Programs

Multiple programs had their grants terminated for saying they hoped to enroll roughly equal numbers of male and female students, leaving high schoolers without college-access resources at the start of the admissions cycle. https://bit.ly/48TNcWd

NASFAA submitted comments to the Department of Education, in response to its comment request on proposed revisions to the Application for Approval to Participate in the Federal Student Financial Aid Programs (E-App): https://ow.ly/itYn50XinAE

Black enrollment is waning at many elite colleges after affirmative action ban, AP analysis finds An Associated Press analysis finds that the number of Black students enrolling at many elite colleges has dropped in the two years since the Supreme Court banned affirmative action in admissions.

Black enrollment is waning at many elite colleges after affirmative action ban, AP analysis finds