Iowa Department of Education receives funds to help with FAFSA

(The Center Square) - The Iowa Department of Education said Wednesday it received $276,000 in federal funds to complete FAFSA efforts after a bipartisan group of lawmakers raised concerns about delays.

A redesign of the U.S. Department of Education’s Free Application for Federal Student Aid online application led to “significant” errors and processing delays for students across the country. FAFSA is the "primary application for students seeking federal and state need-based grants and scholarships," helping approximately 18 million students a year, according to a news release from the Iowa DOE.

The newly awarded funds will go toward expanding the Department’s Bureau of Iowa College Aid Summer Transition Associate program, where high school counselors help students prepare for college. The money will also help college and career transition counselors to promote the importance of FAFSA completion, the Iowa Department of Education said.

“We are grateful for this federal investment to expand the Department’s critical work supporting students and families across Iowa in completing the FAFSA and overcoming the challenges they faced throughout this application cycle,” said Iowa Department of Education Director McKenzie Snow. “Alongside schools, postsecondary institutions, and community partners, we will continue to champion students pursuing their unique pathways to postsecondary success.”

The grant has already been put to work, allowing the Bureau of Iowa College Aid to boost its staff in its Summer Transition Associate program by 50%, according to the Iowa Department of Education. That includes funding 21 associates, some of whom are bilingual.

"We were proud to provide additional summer support to Iowa's Class of 2024 with the critical step of completing their FAFSA and continuing their postsecondary pursuits," said Iowa College Aid Bureau Chief David Ford. "The 2024-25 FAFSA cycle has been a challenge for many, and this assistance will support local efforts and completion opportunities across Iowa."

Earlier this year, lawmakers in the U.S. House and Senate sounded the alarm over the months-long delays in the FAFSA process. The application, which was expected to be made available in October, was not released until December 31st. Lawmakers urged the U.S. Department of Education to address the issue to avoid a repeat delay for the 2025-2026 school year.

Senators and representatives issued a letter calling for full transparency and weekly updates on the timeline.