Spring Break
FAFSA online form simplified under changes
Naomi Parikh
Issue date: 7/3/09 Section: News
Secretary of Education Arne Duncan announced several proposed changes to simplify the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, June 24.
The application, used annually by college students to obtain government loans and grants, has been criticized by experts as being too lengthy with many unnecessary questions. Each student is asked as many as 153 questions.
First, Duncan called for simplifying the online application by skipping unnecessary questions. Starting this summer, the application will allow students who are married or over the age of 24 and are automatically exempt from providing parental information, to avoid 11 questions that determine if parental information is necessary.
Melissa M. Englund, assistant vice president for Enrollment Planning and Retention Services at Drexel University, said the University recommends students use the online form, as it allows for fewer misinterpretations and is processed faster.
"With the online form, there's no question of whether the number is a one or a seven, so little problems like that are eliminated, and it takes less time to go through," Englund said.
According to Englund, simplifying the online form is a realistic change because it only requires programming changes that let the technology skip over inapplicable questions for each student.
Duncan said more changes to the online application will be implemented in January. Low-income students will not be asked for asset information, and only returning students will be questioned about prior drug convictions.
Another proposed change, according to a White House press release, was the complete removal of several questions from the application through legislation. Duncan said many of these questions do not affect financial aid eligibility and are difficult to confirm, as they do not ask for information already on tax forms. Removing these questions would allow students to apply using mainly their tax information.
However, Englund said legislative changes could potentially be a "long process," as these will require agreement from both political parties.
The application, used annually by college students to obtain government loans and grants, has been criticized by experts as being too lengthy with many unnecessary questions. Each student is asked as many as 153 questions.
First, Duncan called for simplifying the online application by skipping unnecessary questions. Starting this summer, the application will allow students who are married or over the age of 24 and are automatically exempt from providing parental information, to avoid 11 questions that determine if parental information is necessary.
Melissa M. Englund, assistant vice president for Enrollment Planning and Retention Services at Drexel University, said the University recommends students use the online form, as it allows for fewer misinterpretations and is processed faster.
"With the online form, there's no question of whether the number is a one or a seven, so little problems like that are eliminated, and it takes less time to go through," Englund said.
According to Englund, simplifying the online form is a realistic change because it only requires programming changes that let the technology skip over inapplicable questions for each student.
Duncan said more changes to the online application will be implemented in January. Low-income students will not be asked for asset information, and only returning students will be questioned about prior drug convictions.
Another proposed change, according to a White House press release, was the complete removal of several questions from the application through legislation. Duncan said many of these questions do not affect financial aid eligibility and are difficult to confirm, as they do not ask for information already on tax forms. Removing these questions would allow students to apply using mainly their tax information.
However, Englund said legislative changes could potentially be a "long process," as these will require agreement from both political parties.
Be the first to comment on this story