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The Department of Education began a “soft launch” of the 2024-25 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) application forms over the weekend, and more than 400,000 applications have already been submitted.
More than 17 million students and approximately 5,500 colleges use the FAFSA form each year. Normally available in October, it was not available until December 31st due to a major overhaul of the application process.
150,000 despite the soft launch restricting access to the form to certain times of the day and planned pauses for website maintenance, a Ministry of Education spokesperson said. Over 20,000 applications have been successfully submitted, with an additional 250,000 applications in progress.
But the soft launch wasn’t without some hiccups.
“Even by soft launch standards, this weekend’s rollout was difficult, and students, families, and financial aid administrators who have been waiting for this release for months are understandably frustrated.” said Justin Drager, president and CEO of the Student Financial Aid Association. the administrator (NASFAA) said in a statement.
What to expect during soft launch
A soft launch is a way to roll out the redesigned FAFSA, increasing availability and volume in stages to avoid spikes and system shutdowns while allowing the Department of Education to adjust the technology to real-world conditions. I’ll make it.
Although the FAFSA form is in its soft launch phase, students and their families should exercise patience and anticipate some glitches.
read more: Complete Guide to the FAFSA for the 2023-2024 School Year
“I was able to submit the FAFSA on Tuesday, but I’m still having issues,” Mark Kantrowitz, author and student loan expert, told Yahoo Finance. “Last year, in his first two quarters of filing season, he received more than 50,000 FAFSAs per day. Therefore, the current pace is slow, likely due to limited availability. enough.”
During the soft launch, this form will be available periodically on StudentAid.gov. The Department of Education will initiate a temporary suspension of the site for maintenance and update forms as necessary. No end date has been announced for the soft launch period.
Applicants can experience a waiting room feature that helps them control website volume and ensure optimal performance of their forms.
If applicants complete the form during the soft launch period, that information will be sent to Federal Student Aid (FSA) and they will not need to reapply after the soft launch period ends.
If the site is on a planned pause, try accessing the form later as more time becomes available throughout the week.
A spokesperson for the Department of Education said applicants can expect the form to be available during call center business hours and that the authority is aware of the issue with the form and that during the soft launch, users should be aware of any new issues. He said he is monitoring the situation and working to address the issue. .
File your FAFSA as soon as it’s available
Due to delays in the FAFSA rollout, it is important for students and their families to apply for the FAFSA as soon as it is available.
Although the website says there is no need to rush to apply, high school students who applied for early decision should hurry to process their scholarship. Additionally, if you apply late, your aid benefits may be limited and are often accepted on a first-come, first-served basis.
Students and parents must create a Federal Student Aid (FSA) ID before completing the FAFSA.
Rick Castellano, a vice president at Sallie Mae, told Yahoo Finance, “Despite the potential for delays, taking proactive steps now, such as obtaining an FSA ID and preparing important documents, will help ensure that your application is complete.” It will help streamline the process for families when it becomes available.”
Rhonda is Yahoo Finance’s senior personal finance reporter and an attorney with experience in law, insurance, education, and government.
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