WASHINGTON – Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) joined Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-La.) and Rep. Virginia Foxx (R-N.C.), leaders of the Senate and House committees that handle education, to request the Government Accountability Office investigate the Biden administration’s failure to properly implement the updated Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) program.

“[R]epeated delays from the Department of Education (ED) in rolling out the new FAFSA have left students and schools in limbo for the upcoming school year,” the lawmakers wrote. “All these challenges and delays may cause some students—particularly low-income students who are most dependent on federal aid—to give up and not pursue postsecondary education.” 

“Beyond the initial delays, it is also unclear whether Education is providing students and schools with sufficient information and guidance on the new FAFSA form and process,” they continued. “The goal of FAFSA simplification was in part to make the whole process easier for students and their families...However, initial feedback from students and schools indicates that [ED’s] current outreach efforts are falling short.”

Grassley and his colleagues are seeking information on the steps ED is taking to address FAFSA implementation issues. Their goal is to prevent future complications and ensure students can submit the FAFSA to their prospective colleges in a timely manner. In addition to Grassley, Cassidy and Foxx, 25 members of the Senate and House signed the letter.

Background:

Congress in 2020 passed the bipartisan FAFSA Simplification Act to make financial aid more accessible for students. The legislation required ED to roll out the FAFSA program by January 1, 2024. Despite having three years to prepare, the department made the application available to borrowers for just 30 minutes on December 30, 2023. It re-posted the application the next day, this time for one hour. Students and families could only access the application sporadically until it went fully live on Saturday, January 6, 2024 – nearly a week after Congress’ deadline and several months after the application’s typical October launch.

This year’s delayed timeline, coupled with ED’s setbacks, are creating a domino effect. High school counselors have postponed financial aid information sessions. They’re now scrambling to connect with students and families to help navigate the new FAFSA process.

Grassley has long worked to help provide students the information they need when applying for college. But this year, institutions often won’t be able to send potential students a full offer until April. That takes from students months they would usually have to visit campus, ask questions and consider their already-confusing options.

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