MINNEAPOLIS — Editor's note: The video above first aired on KARE 11 on May 13, 2024.
As high school seniors start to feel the pressures of graduating, applying for colleges and generally planning for their futures, having to navigate the complexities of financial aid adds yet another hurdle to an already tense time.
That's why College Possible Minnesota announced it would offer free support to students and their families applying this year for Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
“Completing the FAFSA or Minnesota Dream Act application is a very important step in the process of selecting a college,” said Executive Director Deb Salls, in a statement Wednesday. “We’re excited to be offering free FAFSA or Minnesota Dream Act application support to all Minnesota students – regardless of whether they’re enrolled in College Possible programming."
Earlier this spring, the U.S. Department of Education reported complications and calculation errors in hundreds of thousands of submitted FAFSA applications, furthering processing delays. Experts who spoke with KARE 11 in April said schools were "scrambling" to catch up on applications and at the time, as about 40% of errors were detected on necessary forms that needed to be fixed.
"Schools are just scrambling right now to catch up and at least make financial aid offers for that 60% of students they can and they're waiting for the Department of Education so they can start sending the rest of those financial aid offers to students, because they know students have been waiting a long time,” said Jill Desjean with the National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators.
The errors come as many institutions close in on their application deadlines for fall, including the University of Minnesota, which has already extended the application period another two weeks due to students' FAFSA delays.
"In response to delays from the Department of Education with the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), the University of Minnesota Twin Cities is proactively extending the confirmation deadlines to ensure students and families have enough time to assess their financial aid offers and collegiate options for Fall 2024," said a statement on the U's website.
College Possible Minnesota, an organization that facilitates coaching and support to students to help them overcome the barriers involved with applying to schools and completing their degrees, said its staff is ready to help students successfully complete and submit their FAFSA and Minnesota Dream Act applications.
"We hope to alleviate some of the frustrations and help families get these forms completed and submitted,” Salls' statement said.
For more information about how to utilize College Possible's free financial aid support program, visit its website to schedule an appointment.
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