The challenges with last year鈥檚 launch have been well-documented. In fact, I took a six-month leave from my post as president of the College Board to join the U.S. Department of Education in fixing the FAFSA. After months of hard work, we are confident this year will be much better. We arrived at this point by adhering to a few best practices for technology development, whether for the government or the private sector.

The development and launch of a new FAFSA for the 2024-25 admissions cycle faced unique challenges. In today鈥檚 world, policy complexity produces software complexity. In turn, software complexity produces increased expenses, delays, and errors.聽

In December 2020, Congress passed the FAFSA Simplification Act 鈥� well-intended, bipartisan legislation that aimed to shorten the form, increase accuracy by importing tax data from the Internal Revenue Service, and, ultimately, expand eligibility for Pell Grants.

This Act required brand-new software composed of multiple components that are themselves integrated to a dozen other systems, many housed in other agencies. While the Department of Education is full of devoted public servants with tremendous knowledge about financial aid and a passion for helping people go to college, they had limited experience building modern, complex software applications. In addition, due to the nature of government contracting, the Department ended up working with four separate vendors to build the new FAFSA. 

Given all of these challenges, the problems encountered during the 2024-25 launch should not have been a surprise. But that is little comfort to students and families who had a difficult experience last year.

So why is this year better? In preparing for the 2025-26 launch, our work was guided by five key principles, all of which can be applied to any government endeavor:

1. Focus on what is most important. A common mistake in software is trying to do too much. Failing to make tough choices leads to missed deadlines, poor code quality and user frustration. We focused on two things: 1) fixing any bugs that prevented students from submitting the form; and 2) delivering a stable application on a defined timeline for students, families, and institutions of higher education. This required us to make tough choices, such as deferring some new features, which allowed us to launch well ahead of last year鈥檚 schedule.
2. Use data to identify critical user issues. Data is a powerful tool to zero in on challenges that affect large numbers of users. For example, a question in the 2024-25 FAFSA about a 鈥渄irect unsubsidized loan鈥� was originally worded in a way that unintentionally caused too many students 鈥� over 5% 鈥� to forgo Pell Grants and subsidized federal loans. After seeing the data and working with users, that question was redesigned, and the number of students misinterpreting it declined precipitously.
3. Invest heavily in testing. Comprehensive testing is the most important aspect of any complex software project. We developed multiple new testing tools and methodologies, marrying data science and automated testing, that enabled us to verify the accuracy of the data we send to colleges, universities, and state agencies. We collaborated with the IRS to double-check the tax data that we receive. Most importantly, we conducted seven weeks of beta testing with more than 70 organizations 鈥� college access nonprofits, high schools and school districts, colleges and universities 鈥� before expanding testing to all interested students earlier this week. Over 67,000 students submitted real FAFSA forms during this testing period, and we traveled to many universities to sit with financial aid professionals as they independently verified the data we sent them.
4. Embrace transparency. Because of the uncertainties and delays surrounding the 2024-25 FAFSA, key external stakeholders felt unprepared to support students. A chorus of advisors from the wider community told us that we needed to be more open about the work underway this year, both strides and setbacks, in order to build back this trust. We invested time and effort in building more channels and frequency for communication, including a new website at where we regularly updated statistics, provided updates on bug fixes, and shared stories from the field.
5. Harness the power of the broader community. The success of the FAFSA depends not just on the government but also on a large ecosystem of organizations that play a vital role in supporting students and families. In part because of the breakdown of trust, the community was often out of sync and at times at-odds. By intentionally engaging these stakeholders, we were able to strengthen the partnerships needed to deliver a successful launch for families, including a critical testing period.

Ahead of the launch in November, we knew that the large majority of students can complete the FAFSA quickly: Over 90 percent of this year鈥檚 applicants reported that they completed it in a 鈥渞easonable amount of time.鈥� Ultimately, for many people, the promise of FAFSA simplification 鈥� a simpler form that provides more aid 鈥� has been or will be realized.

There is more work to be done in the years ahead. There will be families who may struggle with the FAFSA; there are usability issues we have not had time to fix yet. For example, the ability for a student to invite their parent to the form needs to be simplified. The team is aware of these problems and will now turn its attention to making further improvements that will benefit everyone, especially those from underrepresented communities.

Building good software is hard; building good software under the unique constraints of the federal government is harder. But delivering a simpler FAFSA that serves students, families and institutions is a strong first step 鈥� and continuing to apply these lessons will build on that success.

As part of the College Foundation of North Carolina鈥檚 (CFNC) Countdown to College initiative, North Carolina students can submit college applications for free to many  next week, Oct. 21-27, as part of College Application Week.

During the week, participating colleges will waive application fees for applicants who . In addition to the waived application fees, the CFNC initiative also highlights resources for North Carolina students and families to help plan, apply, and pay for college.

“Each year, the Countdown to College campaign helps tens of thousands of students as they prepare for college throughout their senior year,” Andrea Poole, executive director of the North Carolina State Education Assistance Authority (SEAA). 鈥淲hile this is an important initiative, the aftermath of Hurricane Helene means that the college planning process will look different for many western North Carolina students. SEAA and its education partners are working diligently to provide additional resources and programs in the coming months for students impacted by the hurricane.鈥�

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Many North Carolina colleges have early application deadlines in early November. A CFNC press release said that some students in western North Carolina may need to apply later than planned in the wake of Hurricane Helene.

CFNC resources will be available all year long to “help students and families navigate the college-going process when the time is right,” the release said.

Here is the list of North Carolina colleges waiving application fees for high school seniors and first-year applicants Oct. 21-27:

• All 58 colleges in the N.C. Community College System (NCCCS).
• Barton College
• Belmont Abbey College
• Bennett College
• Brevard College
• Campbell University
• Carolinas College of Health Science
• Catawba College
• Chowan University
• Davidson College
• East Carolina University
• Elizabeth City State University
• Elon University
• Fayetteville State University
• Gardner-Webb University
• Greensboro College
• Guilford College
• High Point University
• Johnson & Wales University – Charlotte
• Johnson C. Smith University
• Lees-McRae College
• Lenoir-Rhyne University
• Livingstone College
• Louisburg College
• Mars Hill University
• Meredith College
• Methodist University
• Montreat College
• North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University
• North Carolina Central University
• North Carolina Wesleyan University
• Pfeiffer University
• Queens University of Charlotte
• Saint Augustine鈥檚 University
• Salem College
• Shaw University
• St. Andrews University
• University of North Carolina Asheville
• University of North Carolina at Pembroke
• University of North Carolina School of the Arts
• University of Mount Olive
• Warren Wilson College
• Western Carolina University
• William Peace University
• Wingate University
• Winston-Salem State University

Nationally, the average college application fee was $48 in 2024, based on . Some colleges charge upward of $100. For reference, UNC-Chapel Hill鈥檚 application fee .

You can view the full list of participating colleges — for transfer, readmission, and NC College Connect — Students can access the waived fees through  starting at 7:30 a.m. on Oct. 21, through 11:59 p.m. on Oct. 27.

Here are some other ways you can request application fee waivers at any college, at any time:

• If you receive a fee waiver for your ACT and SAT, you can  college application fee waivers.
• Talk with your high school guidance counselor. They probably have the correct waiver form you need, and their signature will improve your chances of having the fee waived.
• International students don鈥檛 have to pay an application fee for many universities.
• Request a National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC) Fee Waiver, which the majority of schools accept. If you meet the  requirements, you鈥檒l be able to apply for up to four schools without paying the application fee.

CFNC also provides other college resources for students and families, including residency verification, completing the , and filling out applications. Learn more on .

This first appeared on and is republished here under a Creative Commons license.

Several national organizations tied to higher education have asked colleges and universities to delay their usual May enrollment deadlines to accommodate students who will not begin to receive their financial aid packages until March as a result of FAFSA delays.

The nine organizations, which include the National College Attainment Network and the National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators, or NASFAA, sent their  Wednesday to give students and their families more time to consider financial aid offers and decide where 鈥� or if 鈥� to attend college.

The news that application information, the data institutions use to determine the amount of financial aid a student will receive, would not be available for another four weeks 鈥� at least 鈥� concerned these groups. During a normal cycle, colleges and universities would begin to receive that information in October. This year, the information initially was expected in January.

In their joint statement, the groups encouraged schools to give some latitude to students and families as they consider their offers of admission and financial aid due to the continued delays with the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or FAFSA, applicant data.

鈥淒uring the pandemic, many institutions extended their enrollment, scholarship, and financial aid deadlines beyond the traditional May 1 date, and we urge institutions to make similar accommodations this year,鈥� the statement read. 鈥淲e all want students and families to have the time they need to consider their financial options before making enrollment decisions.鈥�

El Paso Community College, like all higher education institutions around the country, awaits guidance and information from the Department of Education, said Keri Moe, EPCC鈥檚 associate vice president of External Relations Communications & Development.

鈥淲hile these delays are beyond the institution鈥檚 control, EPCC is committed to working with students and will revise deadlines, if possible and as allowed, to ensure as many students who are eligible for financial aid can receive it,鈥� Moe said.  

Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center El Paso has a series of 鈥減riority dates鈥� because its programs in nursing, medicine, dental science and biomedical science start throughout the year.

鈥淪tudents who submit their FAFSA to us on or before these priority dates are considered for all grants, scholarships and available aid until funds are exhausted,鈥� a center spokesman said. 鈥淭he university鈥檚 Office of Financial Aid will adjust its priority awarding dates based on dates provided by the Department of Education.鈥�

A University of Texas at El Paso spokesman said UTEP does not have a decision deadline.

Justin Draeger, president of the NASFAA, said the current timeline will severely delay award letters and limit the choices of college-going students.

鈥淥ur nation鈥檚 colleges are once again left scrambling as they determine how best to work within these new timelines to issue aid offers as soon as possible 鈥� so the students who can least afford higher education aren鈥檛 the ones who ultimately pay the price for these missteps,鈥� Draeger said in a prepared statement.

Andres Orozco, an accounting, business and economics major at EPCC, said he had submitted his FAFSA for the 2024-25 academic year and hoped to receive the same $1,900 the college awarded him last year.

Orozco, a 2023 Irvin High School graduate, sighed when he learned about the latest delay, but was adamant that nothing would keep him from his academic journey. He said that he would divert more of the money he earns working at the Northeast Albertsons supermarket to his college fund if necessary.  

鈥淭his is not the best news,鈥� Orozco said. 鈥淭his will affect a lot of students who need that money to go to school. I will go to school no matter what. I want to finish. I will find a way.鈥�

Angel Waters, a senior at Transmountain Early College High School, said he plans to complete his FAFSA soon. He said he wants to study computer science at UTEP or New Mexico State University, and be part of NMSU鈥檚 Air Force ROTC program.

Waters, a first-generation college student, said that while he is not concerned about the delays now, he will be if it takes longer than early March to receive his financial aid letters.

Kayla Carter, a 17-year-old senior who is homeschooled, said that she has yet to fill out her FAFSA, but hopes that she will get enough financial aid to enroll in Heartland Baptist Bible College in Oklahoma City, Okla., to study ministry. If that does not work out, she wants to enroll at EPCC or UTEP as a nursing major.

鈥淏eing away from home will be an issue if my (financial aid) is delayed,鈥� said Carter, who lives on the East Side.

The expected delays in the financial aid packages is the latest setback for the new FAFSA, dubbed the 鈥淏etter鈥� FAFSA because it was designed to be simpler and faster for students and their families to fill out. It also will give students more opportunities for more financial aid. The application overhaul was ordered by Congress as part of the .

The form usually is available Oct. 1 and institutions receive the application information within days. This cycle, the Department of Education did not launch the FAFSA until Dec. 30 on a limited basis. It became available around the clock in early January. Initially, the government told colleges and universities to expect the applicant information by late January.

The submitted forms have their own , but eventually an ISIR (Institutional Student Information Record) is routed to the higher education institutions or career schools requested by the students. In the past, this process took a few days, but some experts estimate that this cycle could take a few weeks or longer. Once a school receives the applicant information, it usually takes that institution several weeks to evaluate, process, package and send award letters to students. The speed of that process depends on the institution鈥檚 resources.

This first appeared on and is republished here under a Creative Commons license.

Iowa鈥檚 community colleges are seeing returns on recruiting efforts and partnerships with schools and businesses in the form of rising enrollment in 2023.

Enrollment in community colleges grew by 3.8% from last year, according to the Iowa Department of Education , with a total of 85,362 students spread across the state. Part-time student numbers reached an all-time high, making up two-thirds of total enrollment.

While enrollment isn鈥檛 back to where it was before the COVID-19 pandemic began, with more than 88,000 students attending community colleges in 2019, the report stated this is the second year of increased enrollment in the state.

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鈥淚 think that despite challenges facing higher (education) nationally, we鈥檙e faring well,鈥� Community Colleges for Iowa Executive Director Emily Shields said.

Out of the state鈥檚 15 community colleges, nine saw increased enrollment. Des Moines Area Community College saw the highest number of enrolled students at 24,418 and the largest over-year increase of almost 13%. Indian Hills Community College saw the largest decrease in enrollment, dropping by 3.7% to 3,236 students.

Iowa falls behind the national average with its enrollment trends, according to the report. National enrollment in two-year institutions increased by 4.4%, helped by a 9% increase in part-time students. In Iowa, part-time student enrollment increased by 0.8%.

Full-time enrollment also dropped in both Iowa and across the country, with the state reporting a 0.8% decrease and the U.S. seeing a 0.2% drop.

Joint enrollment, in which students are simultaneously taking high school and college credit classes, increased in Iowa by 7.9%, while the national average increased by 8.8%. Shields said she doesn鈥檛 like to compare the state and national numbers with joint enrollment, as she believes Iowa has been ahead of other states with tapping that market and has already seen major growth.

The biggest issue four-year universities and community colleges alike are up against is predicted drops in enrollment, Shields said, and it is a two-pronged problem. The first factor is that there will be fewer students graduating high school in the coming years, making the pool of applicants to colleges smaller. The other challenge is that fewer high school graduates are choosing to seek any post-secondary education, despite the majority of careers requiring a certification or degree of some kind.

鈥淲e鈥檙e facing a lot of pressures that are kind of driving down enrollment nationally, that we鈥檙e trying to address locally in different ways, but they are making it more challenging to kind of keep enrollment where it needs to be and keep college affordable and continue to attract students,鈥� Shields said.

Efforts on the national level to expand financial aid for certain programs could help bolster enrollment in certification and other non-degree training programs, Shields said. The , which has passed out of the U.S. House Education and Workforce Committee, would extend Pell Grant eligibility to some short-term workforce programs like those implemented by Iowa鈥檚 community colleges.

With the looming enrollment cliff and fewer students interested in pursuing an education after high school, Community Colleges for Iowa and the institutions it works with are trying to spread recruitment programs to a variety of areas.

Shields said community colleges don鈥檛 have the luxury of trying to target specific types of students, whether they be just out of high school or working adults, and thus are using career and college transition counselors embedded in high schools and partnerships with businesses to try and reach traditional and nontraditional students.

Judging by the 7.9% increase in joint enrollment and 3.1% jump in Iowa Career and Technical Education enrollment, Shields said these strides seem to be paying off.

鈥淚 think that really reflects where we鈥檝e made a lot of efforts to align with the state鈥檚 workforce to partner even more with high schools and just to offer lots of different options for Iowans to start and continue their education,鈥� Shields said.

is part of States Newsroom, a network of news bureaus supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Iowa Capital Dispatch maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Kathie Obradovich for questions: info@iowacapitaldispatch.com. Follow Iowa Capital Dispatch on and .

TOPEKA 鈥� More than 50 colleges and universities in Kansas agreed to drop application fees Tuesday through Thursday for residents of the state regardless of age or income interested in seeking undergraduate degrees or certificates.

The opportunity to submit applications for free was extended by the six state universities supervised by the Kansas Board of Regents, Washburn University in Topeka, 19 community colleges, six technical colleges and 21 private independent colleges.

Jon Rolph, chairman of the Board of Regents, said the objective of the first statewide free college application period Nov. 7-9 was to temporarily discard an impediment to higher education and potentially increase the state鈥檚 rate of college attendance.

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鈥淭he Apply Free Days initiative is part of the board鈥檚 effort to remove barriers to application and entry for Kansans, making our higher education system more affordable and accessible for all,鈥� he said. 鈥淜ansas colleges and universities offer a wide range of program options that help students meet their career goals.鈥�

In the past decade, Kansas鈥� college-going rate has declined. In 2021, 59.5% of Kansas high school graduates enrolled in a college, university or certificate program. The disinterest also was revealed when less than half of the state鈥檚 high school graduates submitted college financial aid applications.

Waiver of the application fee was extended to first-time freshmen, transfer students, returning students and those seeking a second bachelor鈥檚 degree. The initiative covered general applications, certificate programs, associate degree programs and bachelor degree programs. It doesn鈥檛 include applications for graduate school programs.

The Board of Regents said Apply Free Days information could be found at . Students uncertain about what college option was best for them could use KSDegreeStats.org to explore the cost of degrees and potential earnings of graduates.

Prospective students may start and save an online application any time, but the fee would be waived only if the application was submitted during the three-day window.

However, Kansas colleges and universities have application programs available throughout the year to assist individuals enduring financial hardships. It is free to apply year round to the 19 community colleges. Pittsburg State University and Washburn University removed application fees.

Private colleges in Kansas not part of the Kansas Independent College Association may not be participants in the Apply Free Days network.

The state Board of Regents recommended potential students apply to college and then submit a free application for . The FAFSA would provide information about student grants, scholarships and work-study positions that could reduce the cost of a college education. Another option would be to apply for state aid through the .

is part of States Newsroom, a network of news bureaus supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Kansas Reflector maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Sherman Smith for questions: info@kansasreflector.com. Follow Kansas Reflector on and .