Congressman Bryan Steil | Official U.S. House headshot
Congressman Bryan Steil | Official U.S. House headshot
Washington, D.C. (February 9, 2024) - Congressman Bryan Steil (WI-01) has urged the Federal Student Aid (FSA) Chief Operating Officer Richard Cordray to fix the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) process. The delays and mismanagement of the system have caused confusion and difficulty for millions of students and their families who are trying to plan how to fund their education.
The FAFSA process has been running smoothly for years, but recent issues have caused significant problems for applicants. The Department of Education (ED) needs to take immediate action to repair the system and ensure that schools and students have enough time to prepare and accept financial aid offers.
The problems began when the ED announced that FAFSA forms would not be available until December 31, 2023, as part of an effort to simplify and modernize the process. However, the department failed to meet the reasonable timeline set by Congress for the rollout of the new FAFSA.
After a three-month delay, the Department of Education finally launched the new FAFSA, but technical difficulties made it difficult for many applicants to access or complete the form. Additionally, the department forgot to update the formula for determining financial aid eligibility, resulting in a $1.8 billion shortfall. Fixing this critical issue has led to another month-long delay.
In a letter to Richard Cordray, Congressman Steil expressed his concern about the continuing delays and the impact they are having on students. He stated, "[t]he continuing delays from the Department of Education, on a program that has operated smoothly for years, are causing undo confusion and difficulty for the millions of students currently determining how to fund their education. I ask that you and your agency take every step possible to get this program operating smoothly once again."
The congressman's call for action comes as many students and their families are eagerly awaiting the opportunity to apply for financial aid and plan for their education. The delays in the FAFSA process have left them in a state of uncertainty and frustration.
It is now up to the Biden administration and the Department of Education to address these issues promptly and ensure that the FAFSA program is working effectively once again. The education and future of millions of students depend on it.
To read the full letter from Congressman Steil to Richard Cordray, click here.
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