College Matters from The Chronicle
What the FAFSA Just Happened?
Sep 10, 2024
In this discussion, senior writer Eric Hoover from The Chronicle of Higher Education delves into the chaos surrounding the new FAFSA rollout. He highlights the emotional strain on students and families facing financial aid uncertainties. Hoover explores the alarming drop in FAFSA completion rates, particularly among low-income and mixed-status families. He shares compelling stories, including the struggles of a homeless student desperately seeking support. The conversation raises important questions about equity and trust in higher education amidst this crisis.
35:51
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Quick takeaways
- The technical issues with the FAFSA have created significant barriers for low-income students, complicating their access to essential financial aid.
- The crisis not only disrupts individual applications but also threatens the broader financial aid system's effectiveness, impacting college enrollment overall.
Deep dives
The FAFSA Technical Crisis
The rollout of the FAFSA, a critical application for federal student aid, faced significant technical issues that hindered many prospective students. Glitches rendered the form unusable for various individuals, leading some to abandon their applications altogether. This particularly impacted low-income students who rely heavily on financial aid for college access, compounding their challenges during the college application process. The resulting chaos not only stalled individual applications but also disrupted the broader financial aid system, affecting colleges' ability to allocate resources effectively.
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