WASHINGTON – New changes are making it easier to complete the federal government’s financial aid form. But some experts are calling for more changes to simplify a multipage application that may deter students from seeking aid.
“It is a move in the right direction,” says Mark Kantrowitz, publisher of the online resource, finaid.org, about recent improvements.
He adds, however, “It’s a first step in simplification.” The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is a linchpin of the federal aid system and a form that students must complete to become eligible for federal aid.
Changes made by the Obama administration and Congress have removed about 20 questions and, in the online version, 17 web screens, according to the United States Student Association, another advocate of simplification.
“No one should be denied financial aid because of invasive or confusing questions that overwhelm students and families,” says Gregory Cendana, president of the United States Student Association. “The revised FAFSA is a great step forward.” For the Obama administration, a simpler FAFSA is a key ingredient of the president’s goal that the U.S. have the highest percentage of college graduates by 2020.
The Obama administration unveiled the new changes recently in a visit to a high school in Washington, D.C. Education Secretary Arne Duncan, Dr. Jill Biden, wife of Vice President Joe Biden, and Sen. Jack Reed, D-R.I., attended the session. “I know firsthand as a parent and as a former high school and current college instructor just how challenging and overwhelming all of the financial aid forms and paperwork can be,” Jill Biden said.
The new changes add more “skip logic” to the online FAFSA, according to Kantrowitz.
