Joco Today

U.S. Senator Roger Marshall has joined a group of 28 Senate and House members in writing a letter to the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) to demand answers regarding the glitches and malfunctions in the FAFSA application process. The changes that were implemented to make the process easier have instead caused chaos and stress for millions of students across the country.

The letter, addressed to GAO's Comptroller General Gene Dodaro, highlights the problems faced by applicants due to glitches, malfunctions, and resets that have resulted in the loss of their information. As a result, only 1 million out of 17 million potential applicants have been able to complete the FAFSA application as of January 8th.

The breakdowns in the application process have had a significant impact on students who are eagerly waiting to see their financial aid packages. These delays have made it difficult for students to make informed decisions about which college to attend based on affordability.

Senator Marshall was joined by several other senators and representatives in expressing their concern about the situation. The members of Congress who signed the letter include Senators Bill Cassidy, Susan Collins, Thom Tillis, Joni Ernst, John Barrasso, Marco Rubio, James Lankford, Mike Rounds, Steve Daines, Mike Braun, JD Vance, Shelley Moore Capito, Chuck Grassley, Jerry Moran Cindy Hyde-Smith, Deb Fischer, and Representatives Virginia Foxx, G.T. Thompson, Tim Walberg, Elise Stefanik, Rick Allen, Burgess Owens, Lisa McClain, Michelle Steel, Eric Houchin, Brandon Williams, and Lloyd Smucker.

In the letter, the members of Congress emphasized the importance of the FAFSA application for students in determining their eligibility for federal grants, work-study, and loans. They highlighted the passage of the FAFSA Simplification Act in 2020, which aimed to streamline the application and calculations for federal student aid.

However, the Department of Education's repeated delays in rolling out the new FAFSA have caused uncertainty among students and schools. The application was launched three months late and was not consistently available on the Education Department's website until early January.

The delays have had a ripple effect, causing high school counselors to postpone financial aid information sessions and scramble to help students navigate through the new FAFSA process. The members of Congress expressed concerns about whether Education is providing students and schools with sufficient information and guidance on the new FAFSA form and process.

To address these concerns, the members of Congress have requested that the Government Accountability Office (GAO) examine the issues raised in their letter. The full letter can be read on Senator Marshall's website.

It is clear that the glitches and malfunctions in the FAFSA application process have had a detrimental impact on students and schools. Immediate action is needed to address these problems and ensure that students can make informed decisions about their educational future.