The Government Accountability Office (GAO), a nonpartisan watchdog, recently reported to the U.S. House Education and Labor Committee that the rollout of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is improving, with significant progress made in addressing initial shortcomings.
The GAO acknowledged that the 2023-2024 FAFSA, which transitioned to a simplified application and incorporated the “FAFSA Simplification Act,” faced challenges. These included technical glitches, delayed processing, and confusion among students and families navigating the new system. However, the report highlighted the Department of Education‘s efforts to rectify these issues.
“The Department has taken steps to improve the FAFSA process,” said GAO Director of Education, Workforce, and Income Security, David Powner, during the committee hearing. “These include providing additional training to staff, improving communication with students and families, and implementing new technology to streamline processing.”
While acknowledging the progress, Powner emphasized the need for continued vigilance. “The Department must remain proactive in addressing ongoing issues and ensuring the FAFSA process remains accessible and efficient for all students,” he stated.
The GAO report also highlighted the need for enhanced data collection and analysis to better understand the impact of the FAFSA changes on student access to financial aid. The committee expressed its commitment to working with the Department to ensure a smooth and effective FAFSA process for future applicants.
