Barton Community College Ready to Support Local Students Amid FAFSA Changes

The U.S. Department of Education is updating the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) for the 2024-25 academic year. This is part of the FAFSA Simplification Act. Barton Community College's financial aid office is ready to help students and families with this change. They have received training from the Department of Education.

Myrna Perkins, Barton's Director of Financial Aid, notes there might be some delays in getting FAFSA information from students. But she assures that the financial aid staff will process it as soon as it's received. The staff is constantly training and discussing to prepare for the new system.

The college is working with their student information software vendor, Ellucian, to understand the new data rules and fields. This partnership aims to adjust procedures and process student data promptly once it's received.

The FAFSA Simplification Act was created to help more students qualify for Pell Grants. It introduces a new Student Aid Index formula. The updated FAFSA will also get federal tax data directly from the Internal Revenue Service for applicants when it's available. There are also several other eligibility changes.

In conclusion, Barton Community College's financial aid office is ready to assist students with the FAFSA changes. Despite possible challenges and delays, the staff is dedicated to processing applications promptly and helping students get the financial aid they need.

This article has been enhanced with AI assistance. Agree to access AI-generated content by clicking here, or opt for content with less AI influence here.