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The past 180 days of articles are displayed below.
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Tip of the Week
September 20, 2023
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Beta Test Volunteers Needed for EDExpress 2024-25, Release 1.0
September 14, 2023
If you enjoy being on the leading edge of product development, the Department of Education is recruiting schools and servicers to participate in the beta test of EDExpress.
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Mapping Your Future Higher Ed News
September 14, 2023
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Mapping Your Future turns 27
September 14, 2023
When it comes to planning for the future, we could all use a little guidance.
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StudentAid.gov outages planned for upcoming weekend
September 14, 2023
Anyone planning to complete their FAFSA in the wee hours of Sunday morning may want to make some other plans.
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Tip of the Week
September 13, 2023
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A critical action you must take for your FAFSA to be processed
September 06, 2023
Even if you answer every question on the form, you won't be eligible for federal financial unless you take an important action when completing the FAFSA.
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Early Awareness E-News
September 06, 2023
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Tip of the Week
September 06, 2023
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Mapping Your Future Higher Ed News
August 31, 2023
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September tasks for high school seniors
August 31, 2023
Preparing for college can be both exciting and stressful at the same time.
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Training available on FISAP as deadline nears
August 31, 2023
With only a few short weeks away for the deadline, it's time to get ready to complete the application and reporting paperwork to participate in federal financial aid programs.
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Five things you can do while you wait for the 2024-25 FAFSA
August 30, 2023
If you haven't heard already, the 2024-25 FAFSA will be delayed.
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Tip of the Week
August 30, 2023
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FAFSA Simplification financial aid terminology updated
August 28, 2023
Just a few short weeks after releasing the new financial aid terminology, the Department of Education has done some fine tuning.
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New volume of Federal Student Aid Handbook consolidates grant information
August 28, 2023
The complex and changing nature of federal financial aid makes it critical for financial aid professionals to keep the Federal Student Aid Handbook within easy reach.
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Student Aid Index and Pell Eligibility Guide updated
August 28, 2023
One of the newer guides issued last fall to prepare financial aid administrators for FAFSA Simplification received a couple of revisions.
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New SAVE Plan flyer available to help you share information with borrowers
August 23, 2023
For some borrowers, the start-up of student loan repayment this fall won't be easy.
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Tip of the Week
August 23, 2023
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2024-25 FAFSA webinars scheduled
August 17, 2023
Mapping Your Future is offering two national FAFSA webinar options.
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Department of Education plans roles-based FAFSA completion
August 17, 2023
In the future, anyone who provides information on a student's application for federal financial aid will be known as a contributor.
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Department provides summary of major changes under FAFSA Simplification
August 17, 2023
So much is happening to financial aid with the implementation of FAFSA Simplification, it's hard to keep track of all the changes.
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Mapping Your Future Higher Ed News
August 17, 2023
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Program announced for Federal Student Aid Conference
August 17, 2023
As you might have guessed, FAFSA Simplification will be one of the topics at the 2023 Federal Student Aid Conference.
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Reminder about Labor Day holiday closings
August 17, 2023
The Department of Education is among the federal offices closed for the Labor Day federal holiday on Monday, September 4.
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Take a micro-vacation
August 17, 2023
Now that you’re back in the office and enjoying a little quiet time before the students return. . .
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Department of Education to offer Fundamentals of Financial Aid Training
August 16, 2023
Anyone who has worked in financial aid knows that training is essential to a job well done.
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FAFSA Simplification ushers in new financial aid terminology
August 16, 2023
One of the first important lessons for newcomers to financial aid is terminology.
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New name and new formula for determining federal financial aid need
August 16, 2023
Beginning with the 2024-25 FAFSA, students and parents will receive a Student Aid Index after completing the form.
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Tip of the Week
August 16, 2023
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Department of Education updates draft 2024-25 Draft FAFSA Specifications Guide
August 15, 2023
A new edition of the FAFSA Specifications Guide is available with three new volumes included.
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Tip of the Week
August 09, 2023
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Mapping Your Future Higher Ed News
August 03, 2023
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Reasons you should complete your college degree now
August 03, 2023
Completing a college degree has always been a big life accomplishment, and rightfully so.
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Tip of the Week
August 02, 2023
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Early Awareness E-News
August 01, 2023
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Setting the trend
August 01, 2023
College students are trendsetters.
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August tasks for high school seniors
July 31, 2023
Starting your senior year is an exciting time.
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Schools encouraged to report work-study earnings by December
July 31, 2023
To ensure an accurate calculation of a student's financial need under FAFSA Simplification, schools are being asked to report federal work study wages by December 2023.
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New volume added to Federal Student Aid Handbook
July 28, 2023
With the addition of another volume to the Federal Student Aid Handbook, financial aid professionals can now catch up on the latest instructions on managing the Direct Loan Program.
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Pell Grant maximum increased for the 2023-24 academic year
July 28, 2023
Students eligible to receive the maximum Federal Pell Grant will get an increased amount in the upcoming academic year.
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Tip of the Week
July 26, 2023
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New flexibility for students with unusual circumstances
July 24, 2023
Beginning with the upcoming 2023-24 financial aid award year, colleges and universities have additional flexibility to help students with unusual circumstances in applying for financial aid.
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Completing the 2024-25 FAFSA webinar scheduled
July 20, 2023
Students and parents are invited to join Mapping Your Future for the Completing the 2024-25 FAFSA webinar for guidance on how to complete the newly redesigned FAFSA.
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Department reschedules 2024-25 FAFSA Demonstration
July 20, 2023
The Department of Education's demo of the new simplified FAFSA has been pushed back a few weeks.
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Department updates draft 2024-25 FAFSA Specifications Guide
July 20, 2023
You could call it a work in progress.
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Department working to modernize grants and financial management website
July 20, 2023
Just in time for fall disbursement, the Department of Education will take the first step in transition to a new grants and financial management website.
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Mapping Your Future Higher Ed News
July 20, 2023
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Mapping Your Future to offer 2024-25 FAFSA webinars this fall
July 20, 2023
FAFSA Simplification, which will be implemented with the 2024-25 FAFSA, is the first major redesign of the financial aid process in more than 40 years.
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New functionality for Common Origination and Disbursement
July 20, 2023
Financial aid administrators managing campus-based programs have an enhanced Common Origination and Disbursement system after changes were made to the system earlier this week.
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The order of things
July 20, 2023
I needed balance.
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The right time to start seeking scholarships
July 20, 2023
A successful scholarship search involves a lot of preparation.
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Tip of the Week
July 19, 2023
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Tip of the Week
July 12, 2023
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Early Awareness E-News
July 06, 2023
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Guide to Life after High School printable guides updated
July 06, 2023
High school students have always faced challenges in planning for the future, but there's no question that students today face a lot of hurdles.
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Mapping Your Future Higher Ed News
July 06, 2023
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New name coming for a student's FAFSA report
July 06, 2023
Beginning with the 2024-25 FAFSA, students submitting the form will receive a FAFSA Submission Summary.
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Plan now for ACT testing in 2023-24
July 06, 2023
Students planning to take the ACT in the upcoming academic year will soon be able to register for their desired fall 2023 test date.
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Repayment flyer updated with new information
July 06, 2023
Financial aid professionals are facing a lot of challenges right now - often with a reduced number of staff.
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Report outlines campus-based federal financial aid amounts for 2023-24
July 06, 2023
Students attending more than 3,500 postsecondary institutions in the United States and territories will have access to more than $2 billion in campus-based federal financial aid for the 2023-24 award year.
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SAI to replace FAFSA's EFC
July 06, 2023
Students applying for financial aid will receive Student Aid Index beginning with the 2024-25 Free Application for Federal Student Aid.
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U.S. Department of Education delays 2024-25 FAFSA
July 06, 2023
The U.S. Department of Education will release the 2024-25 FAFSA in December 2023.
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Tip of the Week
July 05, 2023
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July tasks for high school seniors
July 01, 2023
During your senior year, you finalized your college choice.
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Tip of the Week
June 28, 2023
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Tip of the Week
June 21, 2023
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A real treasure
June 15, 2023
At first, I wondered what was lost or forgotten.
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Department reminds schools about the end of COVID-19 waivers and flexibilities
June 15, 2023
Even though the impact of the national pandemic will likely be with us forever, every day we get a little closer to closing that chapter of our lives.
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Mapping Your Future Higher Ed News
June 15, 2023
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Mapping Your Future resources for financial aid professionals
June 15, 2023
Make sure you are taking advantage of services that Mapping Your Future offers for financial aid professionals.
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Mapping Your Future's calculators help borrowers with return to repayment
June 15, 2023
With the return to repayment looming, many of the millions of student loan borrowers may face a challenging financial situation.
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Reminder about Juneteenth National Independence Day holiday closings
June 15, 2023
The Department of Education's federal offices and many Federal Student Aid processors and contact centers will be closed Monday, June 19 to observe the Juneteenth National Independence Day federal holiday.
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Data Retrieval Tool planned outage on Sunday, impacting FAFSA completion and IDR Plan Requests
June 14, 2023
If you planned on completing the FAFSA this weekend, you might want to get it done on Saturday or later in the day on Sunday.
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New fax number for Pell Grant Overpayment Assignment
June 14, 2023
If you work in financial aid and manage your institution's Pell Grant program, you might want to take note of a new fax number for Pell Grant Overpayment Assignment.
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Tip of the Week
June 14, 2023
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Tip of the Week
June 07, 2023
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ACT to expand online testing option
June 01, 2023
More students will have the option to take the ACT exam online rather than in person beginning later this year.
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Department of Education updates draft 2024-25 FAFSA Specifications Guide
June 01, 2023
In the first of its promised updates, the Department of Education this week announced changes to its draft of the 2024-25 FAFSA Specifications Guide.
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Early Awareness E-News
June 01, 2023
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Mapping Your Future Higher Ed News
June 01, 2023
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Save key to be removed for 2024-25 FAFSA
June 01, 2023
Beginning with the 2024-25 FAFSA, students will no longer be asked to create a save key.
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Department of Education reminds institutions about assignment of defaulted Perkins Loans
May 31, 2023
Some Perkins Loans may appear to be gone due to default, but those loans shouldn't be forgotten.
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June tasks for high school seniors
May 31, 2023
Congratulations on your graduation from high school!
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Practice budgeting skills with summer job earnings
May 31, 2023
A summer job offers many benefits for students in addition to the money earned.
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Schools reporting work-study wages encouraged to test system
May 31, 2023
Consider it a sort of dress rehearsal for the sending of data.
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Scorecard helps students find best college fit
May 31, 2023
Students trying to decide which college to attend may find some help with the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard.
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Tip of the Week
May 31, 2023
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Updating the 2023-24 interest rates
May 31, 2023
The cost of borrowing student loans is getting more expensive.
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Tip of the Week
May 24, 2023
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StudentAid.gov enhancements to help students, parents, borrowers
May 19, 2023
Students and parents may notice some improvements this spring to the Department of Education's StudentAid.gov website.
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Department encourages use of work-study funds to pay for tutoring and mentoring programs
May 18, 2023
To help overcome pandemic learning loss, the Department of Education is encouraging postsecondary institutions to use work-study funds for programs to provide tutoring, mentoring, and other support to school-aged students.
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Department of Education proposes new gainful employment regulations
May 18, 2023
Postsecondary institutions offering non-degree programs and all programs at for-profit institutions will face some higher standards in the future under proposed regulations.
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Department of Education updates third-party servicer guidance
May 18, 2023
It looks like it is back to the drawing board for third-party servicer guidance.
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Higher interest rates set for loans borrowed during 2023-24 academic year
May 18, 2023
Borrowing student loans will get more costly with the new interest rates set for the 2023-24 academic year.
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Keeping track of scholarship requirements
May 18, 2023
Congratulations to the class of 2023 on a job well done!
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Mapping Your Future Higher Ed News
May 18, 2023
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Reminder about Memorial Day holiday closings
May 18, 2023
The Department of Education is among the federal offices closed for the Memorial Day federal holiday on Monday, May 29.
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StudentAid.gov enhancements to help students, parents, and borrowers
May 18, 2023
Students and parents may notice some improvements this spring to the Department of Education's StudentAid.gov website.
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Tip of the Week
May 17, 2023
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2024-25 FAFSA to present new "consent" process to determine financial aid eligibility
May 16, 2023
It will be a necessary step in applying for federal financial aid.
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Tip of the Week
May 10, 2023
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Department of Education publishes draft 2024-25 Draft FAFSA Specifications Guide
May 04, 2023
You might call it a work in progress.
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Making sure the Department of Education has the right address
May 04, 2023
It's time to check the Department of Education's address book to make sure your institution's information is up to date.
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Mapping Your Future Higher Ed News
May 04, 2023
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Seeds of hope
May 04, 2023
I couldn't do it if I didn't have hope.
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New location for Federal Student Aid conference
May 03, 2023
The Federal Student Aid conference is moving to a new location – albeit still virtual.
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Tip of the Week
May 03, 2023
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Changes to cost of attendance rules for 2023-24
May 01, 2023
The cost of college is a worry for most parents and students – partly because they know tuition and fees are not the only costs associated with attending postsecondary education.
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Early Awareness E-News
May 01, 2023
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Five facts everyone should know about parent student loans
May 01, 2023
Saving for college can be tough.
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Knowing what to pack for college
May 01, 2023
If you plan to live in a dorm for the fall semester, you can start preparing now by knowing what you plan to take with you.
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May tasks for high school seniors
May 01, 2023
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IRS Data Retrieval Outage planned for May
April 30, 2023
Sunday afternoons can be a good time for students to complete the FAFSA - that is, except for May 7.
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Tip of the Week
April 26, 2023
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Contact information for Mapping Your Future
April 20, 2023
The Mapping Your Future staff are available to assist schools, students, and Sponsors with the variety of tools and services Mapping Your Future offers.
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Department schedules webinars to prepare professionals for FAFSA Simplification
April 20, 2023
If the number of webinars planned by the Department of Education is any indication, there's a lot to learn about FAFSA Simplification.
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Guidance issued for unaccompanied homeless youth for determination under FAFSA Simplification
April 20, 2023
In advance of changes to take effect on July 1, new guidance has been issued clarifying the roles and responsibilities in determining the dependency status for unaccompanied homeless youth.
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Mapping Your Future Higher Ed News
April 20, 2023
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More than skills and knowledge required for financial aid profession
April 20, 2023
Are you worried about losing your job to artificial intelligence?
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Second Chance Pell Experiment Schools invited to participate in revised experiment
April 20, 2023
It is an exclusive invitation of sorts.
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The bottom line on financial aid offers
April 20, 2023
Choosing a college is an important financial decision.
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Tip of the Week
April 19, 2023
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Tip of the Week
April 12, 2023
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Guidance issued on Pell eligibility for confined or incarcerated individuals
April 06, 2023
Postsecondary institutions interested in developing programs for confined or incarcerated individuals recently received some new guidance from the Department of Education.
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Mapping Your Future Higher Ed News
April 06, 2023
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Tip of the Week
April 05, 2023
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10 changes planned for the 2024-25 FAFSA
April 04, 2023
Students and parents applying for financial aid for the 2024-25 academic year will have a new FAFSA form to complete, thanks to changes mandated by Congress.
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Guidance issued to schools to help students with the end of the public health emergency
April 04, 2023
In an April 3 Electronic Announcement, the Department said it recognizes that the end of the public health emergency will impact both institutions and students.
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2023-24 FAFSA renewal campaign launched
April 03, 2023
With everything going on, it's easy to understand how college students may forget or may not realize they need to file a renewal FAFSA.
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Early Awareness E-News
April 03, 2023
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Special Twitter event to assist with understanding financial aid offers
April 03, 2023
Students and parents with questions about college financial aid offers can get the help they need during a special Twitter event hosted by the U.S. Department of Education.
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April tasks for high school seniors
April 01, 2023
As your senior year winds down, don't let yourself become distracted by solely focusing on celebrating graduation - stay focused and finish your high school career strong.
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Mapping Your Future offers a variety of financial literacy tools
April 01, 2023
Current economic conditions, including concerns over inflation, underscore the need for good financial management skills.
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Department of Education updates guides
March 31, 2023
The Department of Education recently updated several guides to reflect changes that will be implemented on April 2 to their application processing system.
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Tip of the Week
March 29, 2023