Cardona Pledges FAFSA is ‘Going to Get Better’
During a recent town hall meeting, Education Secretary Miguel Cardona spoke about his commitment to improving the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) process. Cardona acknowledged the challenges that students and families face when applying for financial aid and promised that changes are on the horizon.
The FAFSA form is a crucial step in the college application process, as it determines a student’s eligibility for federal financial aid, including grants, loans, and work-study programs. However, the complexity and length of the form can be daunting for many students, especially those from low-income or first-generation college backgrounds.
Cardona emphasized the need to simplify the FAFSA form and make it more user-friendly. He stated, “We could make it so much easier for students and families to complete this form. It shouldn’t be a board of trustees level document. It should be a couple of questions for most families.”
In addition to simplifying the FAFSA form, Cardona also addressed the issue of verification, a process that requires students to provide additional documentation to prove the accuracy of their financial information. Cardona acknowledged that the verification process can be burdensome and stated that the Department of Education is working to streamline and automate the process.
Cardona’s pledge to improve the FAFSA process comes at a critical time as the United States grapples with the economic fallout of the COVID-19 pandemic. Many students and families are struggling financially and need access to federal financial aid to pursue their higher education goals.
By making the FAFSA form more accessible and easier to complete, Cardona hopes to ensure that all students have the opportunity to access the financial aid they need to succeed in college. As Education Secretary, Cardona is committed to ensuring that the FAFSA process is fair, efficient, and equitable for all students.
Overall, Cardona’s promises to improve the FAFSA process are a welcome development for students and families across the country. With his commitment to simplifying the form and addressing the challenges of verification, Cardona is taking proactive steps to ensure that financial aid is more accessible and attainable for all students. By making these changes, Cardona is demonstrating his dedication to advancing equity and opportunity in higher education.
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