#college
#college

Colleges, students and states reeling from FAFSA setbacks

The new Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) was intended to be a simpler and faster process for students to access financial aid for college.

However, technical glitches and a failure to update a crucial income formula have caused delays and incorrect estimates of aid, leaving students and colleges in limbo.

Some worry that the delays and glitches of the new FAFSA may discourage prospective students from completing the form altogether. [ more ]

ABC7 San Francisco

Students should prep for smart decision-making once delayed FAFSA packages arrive, experts say

Delays in the Federal Student Aid application process are causing millions of Americans to wait for their financial aid packages.

Personal finance expert Lisa Chastain advises students to prioritize their schools, look at affordable options, and stay connected to admission and financial aid offices. [ more ]

www.bostonherald.com

More FAFSA delays likely to slow aid and college decisions

Financial aid offers for college students will be delayed due to processing delays with the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

Colleges may need to rethink their decision deadlines to allow students more time to consider aid packages. [ more ]

www.nytimes.com

Colleges Won't Get FAFSA Data Until March, Delaying Aid Offers

The troubled rollout of the new FAFSA form and revision of the formula for determining federal financial aid has led to a delay in transmitting data to schools until early March.

Many schools rely on FAFSA to determine institutional grants, so the delay hampers their ability to offer accurate price quotes to students.

Low-income students are particularly affected by the delay, as a difference of a few thousand dollars can determine their ability to start or finish school. [ more ]

www.npr.org

Exclusive: The Education Department says it will fix its $1.8 billion FAFSA mistake

The FAFSA, which determines financial aid for students, is months behind schedule and contains a billion-dollar mistake.

The U.S. Education Department plans to fix the mistake in time for the 2024-25 award year, and $1.8 billion in federal student aid is at stake. [ more ]

www.npr.org

The FAFSA rollout has been rough on students. The biggest problem is yet to come

The new FAFSA form launched on Dec. 30, 2023, with limited access, but applicants now have 24-hour access.

This year's FAFSA form has a mistake that will lower the amount of federal financial aid many receive.

The U.S. Department of Education is considering whether to fix the mistake in time for this year's applicants, which could further delay college aid offers but also provide more help to students. [ more ]

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silive

NYC parents: Don't forget to activate your child's free college scholarship account

Public school kindergarten students in NYC now have $100 in a college savings account, but families must activate the account to access the benefits.

NYC Kids RISE offers opportunities for families to earn up to $200 in additional rewards for their child's account by taking certain steps. [ more ]

BKReader

Brooklyn's High School Seniors Shine in Annual College and Career March

High school seniors in New York City participated in the 12th annual College and Career March to celebrate their bright futures.

The event was rebranded to celebrate all paths students choose after graduation, not just college. [ more ]

BKReader

Brooklyn's High School Seniors Shine in Annual College and Career March

High school seniors in New York City participated in the 12th annual College and Career March to celebrate their bright futures.

The event was rebranded to celebrate all paths students choose after graduation, not just college. [ more ]

www.npr.org

US news

Families, colleges remain in limbo as the Education Department promises to fix FAFSA

The U.S. Department of Education will fix a serious mistake with this year's Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

Families and college financial aid offices are concerned about the impact of this mistake on students' financial aid applications. [ more ]

www.courant.com

No STEM major, no problem: How to make a liberal arts degree count

A liberal arts degree can be valuable, but requires more effort in terms of career preparation than a STEM major.

Research post-diploma employment and salary prospects before choosing a college or degree program. [ more ]

New York Post

Pro-Palestinian students block building entrance at The New School during NYC protest

Pro-Palestinian students at The New School protested the interim president, accusing her of condoning genocide.

The students blocked the entrance to a main building for two hours, chanting and waving Palestinian flags. [ more ]

www.esquire.com

The Future of the Campus Novel

Office hours are a hidden part of the college experience that many students, particularly low-income students, may not be aware of.

Stephanie Land's memoir, Class, explores her experiences as a low-income college student and how it impacted her and her daughter.

The traditional campus novel often does not reflect the realities faced by many students today. [ more ]

Los Angeles Times

Cal Poly Humboldt students live in vehicles to afford college. They were ordered off campus.

Students living in their vehicles at Cal Poly Humboldt formed a community called "the line" but were forced to disperse when the university enforced a policy against overnight camping.

The students had been living in their vehicles as a way to afford attending college, and found support and resources within their community.

The university's actions highlight the challenges faced by low-income students and the lack of affordable housing options on campus. [ more ]

New York Post

'Doxxing Truck' creator says he may tail antisemitic students for years

Nonprofit Accuracy in Media is sponsoring the effort to expose college antisemitism using video screens attached to large trucks.

The trucks are not actually doxxing anyone, but their presence outside students' homes is causing controversy.

The creator of the doxxing truck plans to continue the effort indefinitely. [ more ]

BKReader

Brooklyn

Brooklyn's High School Seniors Shine in Annual College and Career March

High school seniors in New York City participated in the 12th annual College and Career March to celebrate their bright futures.

The event was rebranded to celebrate all paths students choose after graduation, not just college. [ more ]

Above the Law

Law

Law Firms Should Offer Healthier Food Options When Paying For Employee Meals

Free food is appreciated by individuals in various settings, including college students and professionals.

There is a need for healthier food options in the legal profession. [ more ]

Slate Magazine

Parenting

My Stepdaughter's Mother Is Stealing Her Student Loan Money. What Should We Do?

Stepdaughter's mother is demanding loans from her own student loan money and income from her campus job

Stepdaughter is heartbroken and in a financially vulnerable position because of her mother's behavior [ more ]

www.mercurynews.com

Harriette Cole: My two roommates are moving out, and I don't believe their excuse

Roommate conflicts can arise in college and it's important to address them openly and honestly.

Effective mentoring involves finding relatable examples to motivate and guide mentees in the right direction. [ more ]

WSJ

'The Accidental Equalizer' Review: The Luck of the Job

Entry-level positions for midtier jobs are important for the lower- and upper-middle class.

First jobs and earnings after college are determined largely by luck, creating a 'luckocracy' rather than a meritocracy. [ more ]

Independent

Asking for a friend: 'I recently went back to college after a 20-year gap and two children and it's given me a new lust for life. Now I feel suffocated in my boring relationship'

Going back to college after a long break can be life-changing and give a sense of purpose.

The individual is concerned about their relationship because their partner is not interested in new adventures. [ more ]

www.mercurynews.com

Harriette Cole: My mom is putting up a huge fight about my college decision, but it's my life

It is important for the student to assert her independence and make decisions about her own career path, even if it creates tension in her relationship with her mother.

Open and honest communication, along with empathy, is key when navigating friendships after a breakup. [ more ]

www.mercurynews.com