Changes to FAFSA

In late December, Congress released a newer version of the FAFSA or the Free Application for Federal Student Aid. The updated FAFSA is much shorter in length so that it might be “less daunting” to students and parents. What was once eight pages and more than 100 questions is now only two pages with thirty-six questions. 

The FAFSA is used to give grants, loans, and other financial help to students pursuing higher education and bases any allocated aid on the details of parent and student finances. Before the legislative changes, the FAFSA allocated its support based on the “expected family contribution” which was calculated from how much a parent or guardian or student could pay for post-secondary education per year. Now, the FAFSA is using a less confusing method called the “student aid index” which means that the less a student can pay for college the more aid they will receive. 

This change, supported by student aid advocates, increases aid eligibility for lower-income families with multiple kids in college. While families who need the most financial support will get more than they used to, middle- and upper-income families with more than one student in college will receive half the amount of aid than before. To find out more about specific numbers, refer to the New York Times article below. 

https://www.nytimes.com/2021/01/29/your-money/fafsa-changes-college-aid.html?campaign_id=12&emc=edit_my_20210201&instance_id=26639&nl=your-money&regi_id=71861101&segment_id=50771&te=1&user_id=980589aed85c4c3a5b8108ec29fd0715

This change in the FAFSA will be for the 2023-24 academic year, so anyone applying to college after Oct. 1, 2022, will be required to fill out the newer form. 

While Top Universities Get More Applications Than Ever, First Generation and Low-Income Students can’t Afford to Apply

The disparity in the college application process is more prevalent than ever. Inside Higher Ed reported that large colleges and universities with competitive acceptance rates are getting more applicants than ever, while smaller schools with higher acceptance rates aren’t getting enough. Data from the National Association for College Admission Counseling showed that students who are first-generation or low-income aren’t applying to colleges at the same rates as they used to. They believe that the Common App is not doing enough to narrow the gap between students who can afford to apply for college versus those who can’t.

https://www.insidehighered.com/admissions/article/2021/01/26/common-apps-new-data-show-overall-gains-applications-not-first

California State University Will Not Raise Tuition Next Year

Big News alert for college tuition! California State University announced last week that they will NOT be increasing tuition for the school year 2021-2022. This news comes at a time when students are facing pandemic-related hardships that have put a financial strain on many families. CSU feels confident that they will be able to continue their operating costs with the extra federal and state funding coming. This is good news for students looking for an affordable option for college next year! Click below for more information from CSU’s board of trustees quoted in the Los Angeles Times. 

https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2021-01-26/cal-state-will-not-raise-tuition-for-next-academic-year-amid-pandemic-hardships

The College Board Announces Big Changes to SAT

Big News! The College Board announced today that they are no longer offering SAT Subject Tests or the SAT with an essay component. This change comes from College Board recognizing the new realities of the college admissions process due to COVID-19. They hope that by modifying the testing process they might also reduce demands on students and streamline their application process.

Official Collegeboard statement: https://blog.collegeboard.org/January-2021-sat-subject-test-and-essay-faq?excmpid=SM48-ED-CB-tw

This shift in testing will be permanent and anyone already registered for subject tests will be automatically be refunded. CNN reported that dropping the essay section and subject tests is happening after major universities like Harvard, the University of Pennsylvania and the University of California system suspended their SAT or ACT requirements for this year.

CNN: https://www.cnn.com/2021/01/19/us/college-board-essay-subject-tests-trnd/index.html

With the pandemic continuing to challenge students in ways never expected, this is certainly welcome news. With fewer data points like test scores for colleges to use, they will be examining other factors like extracurriculars and coursework more closely. The team at My Best College Plan Counseling will help students showcase their talents beyond the data.