FAFSA Rollout Issues Threaten College Access for Thousands

Technical glitches and delays in the FAFSA application process are causing significant disruptions for prospective college students across the U.S.

Overview

The FAFSA application's technical issues have led to a 29% drop in successful submissions compared to last year, impacting many low-income students.
Experts warn of a potential 'catastrophic' decrease in college enrollments, reminiscent of declines seen during the pandemic.
The botched rollout, including a glitch that prevents completion for students with non-SSN-holding parents, has sparked bipartisan criticism and a federal investigation.
Colleges face financial jeopardy, with some requiring emergency federal aid to survive due to expected enrollment drops.
The Education Department has made some progress in addressing the issues, with over 8 million student applications processed to date.