FAFSA Problems Diminish Kansas City Senior’s Financial Aid Applications: Assistance is Still Available

The start of college classes is merely weeks away, but Kansas City students yet have the opportunity to apply for federal aid for the upcoming academic year. Challenges with the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) deterred multiple students from applying this year. However, with the Missouri College and Career Attainment Network hosting assistance sessions every Monday of the current month, there is still hope.

Difficulty with New FAFSA Regulations

The recent rollout of the FAFSA was supposed to streamline and simplify the process. However, glitches and delay made the application process tougher than intended. Although many colleges’ priority deadlines have passed, students can still apply and subsequently avail of the federal financial aid. Programs like Pell Grants, work-study, and student loans are still options if students succeed in completing the FAFSA before the cutoff date of June 30, next year.

Persistent Issues and Anticipated Glitches

Students with differing citizenship or immigration status from their parents were hit hardest by the FAFSA’s new form. For two months post the full launch of the application in January, the inability to complete the form persisted for these students if their parents lacked a Social Security number. Although the Federal Student Aid Office claimed to have rectified the issue in March, some hitches are anticipated.

Education professionals are diligently working towards assisting students in completing their applications, stressing that it’s not too late to apply. Notably, 12% fewer seniors in Missouri completed the FAFSA this year than last year, according to the National College Attainment Network.

The Trend Remains Consistent

According to FAFSA consultant Camry Ivory, the pattern of students filling out the FAFSA is consistent with previous years. Schools with higher income and less diverse populations are alleged to have more resources and therefore have higher application rates. Throughout the summer, Kansas City schools made concerted efforts for FAFSA completion, involving workshops and events targeting Spanish-speaking families to assist in the application process.

Many Kansas City-area programs aimed towards aiding students struggling with any post-high school plans, including applying for FAFSA. Despite the summer vacation, the presence of community support was crucial in encouraging students to apply.

Education Advocates on Guard Against “Summer Melt”

If students choose to postpone enrolment now due to application issues, they may be less likely to commence their college education in the future. Education advocates have termed this as “summer melt”, where a significant number of students, who planned to attend college, fail to do so after completing high school. Students from lower-income backgrounds, first-generation students, or students of color are likely to miss this crucial window.

Ivory emphasized the goal to ensure that these students are still provided the necessary support when they have the highest possibility of attending college. Despite the inefficiencies and difficulties with the rollout of the FAFSA, professionals in the education sector are eager to aid students through this process for them to have a brighter future.