Issues and Delays! What Next?
By:Robert “Bob” Covey-Robbins, FAS Senior Consultant
As the financial aid community continues to try to navigate the challenges of implementing FAFSA Simplification, it seems that a new roadblock to maneuver pops up every day. The 2024–25 FAFSA Issue Alerts webpage lists several open issues; each representing an unexpected barrier to a student, spouse, or parent completing their part of a FAFSA. This also means that the breadth of knowledge that an effective financial aid administrator must possess grows continuously as well. Financial aid leaders must keep themselves apprised of the daily updates and must ensure that their staff receive the training needed to advise their students and families of the issues, delays in processing, and what to expect in the coming months. Even the most seasoned financial aid professionals find it difficult to compare the current level of stress they are experiencing with any other time during their careers.
Issues in completing the simplified FAFSA and delays in schools receiving ISIR data expand the demands for effective financial aid communications and advising and preparing for these demands to peak while the greatest volume of processing tasks arrive. Schools are planning and acting on how to better prepare their staff to successfully meet the expanding demands for financial aid processing and advising. For many schools, these plans may include growing their advising staff, at least temporarily.
So, where will the extra manpower come from? Some options may include:
- Admissions/Recruitment Staff
- Academic advisors
- Peer counselors/advisors/mentors
- Interim staff
Other staff are likely dealing with the issues that FAFSA Simplification is causing. Admissions or recruiting staff may be doubling down their efforts since students may be delaying their decision on which school to choose while waiting on financial aid offers. Academic advisors may be planning and preparing for a much more compressed peak period for the Fall 2024 academic term.
Interim staffing may be the best option for many schools, and Financial Aid Services is here to help. As you continue to traverse the troubled waters of FAFSA Simplification we also encourage you to check out the recent FAS publication, Navigating the MAZE of FAFSA Delays.
Are you facing staffing challenges at your institution that will affect your ability to handle the upcoming federal changes?
Contact FAS today for a quick consultation on how we can help you discover solutions tailored to your unique needs. Reach out at 770.988.9447 or via email at info@FinancialAidServices.org. We look forward to connecting with institutions ready to overcome challenges and elevate their financial aid and student business services.
About FAS
Financial Aid Services (FAS) has served higher education for over 30 years. Located in Atlanta, Georgia, FAS provides consulting, staffing, processing, and assessment services to assist institutions with improving operational efficiency, student satisfaction, and regulatory compliance in financial aid and student business services. FAS’ accomplished team averages 28 years of experience and has a combined 1,600 years of higher education experience. With clients in 49 states, FAS has successfully served over 1,800 institutions nationwide. The Company’s extensive experience combined with industry-leading expertise and focus on superior client outcomes, enables FAS to deliver lasting results to its clients and the students they serve. Visit www.FinancialAidServices.org for more information.
Contact FAS today for a quick consultation on how we can help you discover solutions tailored to your unique needs. Reach out at 770.988.9447 or via email at info@FinancialAidServices.org.We look forward to connecting with institutions ready to overcome challenges and elevate their financial aid and student business services.
