On February 13, 2024, the U.S. Department of Education (ED) announced various reliefs to aid colleges and universities in response to the problematic Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) simplification rollout.
Listed below are significant items detailed in the electronic announcement:
- Verification Requirements
- Significantly reduces verification requirements but does not eliminate all requirements.
- Continues to focus on identity fraud.
- Program Reviews
- Suspends all new program reviews through June 30, 2024, except for those related to the most serious issues, such as suspected fraud or severe breach of fiduciary duty.
- Ongoing program reviews can request extensions for responses to reviews, reports, or requests for additional information.
- Recertification Flexibility
- Program Participation Agreement (PPA) recertifications are due 90 days before the PPA expires. The ED is waiving the 90-day requirement for schools that have a PPA that expires in March, June, or September of 2024.
- Schools will have until their PPA expiration date to submit a recertification application.
- Test Versions of Institutional Student Information Records (ISIRs)
- Promised delivery of test ISIRs to institutions by February 16.
- ED also will provide open-source tools to support institutions using test ISIRs.
The full announcement can be viewed at the ed.gov website. If you have any questions or need assistance, please reach out to a professional at FORVIS.