By Trish Svoboda

The Biden Administration’s efforts to revise the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) have left millions of students’ financial futures uncertain. The botched introduction of the new FAFSA system and the mishandling by the U.S. Department of Education have resulted in a nationwide postponement of the 2023-2024 FAFSA applications.

To qualify for federal financial aid for higher education, students are required to fulfill the FAFSA requirements. However, ongoing issues with the Education Department’s FAFSA system have generated uncertainty among students, parents, and colleges as they prepare for the upcoming school year.

“Repeated delays by the Department of Education in rolling out the new FAFSA application have left millions of students and schools in limbo for the upcoming school year,” said Senator Roger Marshall in a release. “Right now, colleges continue to lack the essential data required to formulate financial aid offers, leading to significant uncertainty for students’ futures. The mismanagement within the Department of Education disproportionately affects first-generation and low-income college students, who are most reliant on assistance to pursue higher education. As a community college graduate myself, I understand the stress these students face from this mismanagement.”

In an effort to assist students and families during this time of uncertainty, Senator Marshall has released a new FAFSA resource guide. The guide features useful links and contact details for his office, offering additional support and guidance.