Overview

• Recent FAFSA changes have led to a significant decrease in applications, with only 28% of high school seniors completing the form.
• Colleges are withholding tuition costs until the last minute, adding to the uncertainty for prospective students.
• The new FAFSA formula is supposed to increase eligibility for Pell Grants, but application delays are preventing this benefit.
• The Department of Education is struggling to correct errors in financial aid determinations, causing delays in award letters.
• High costs and bureaucratic hurdles are discouraging some students from pursuing higher education.