Compared to previous years, the Free Application for Student Aid — or FAFSA — application turned out more complicated than expected after the Department of Education revised the form last December. The federal agency has reported several technical and processing complications, causing delays once the applications rolled out.
This form must be renewed yearly for students to qualify for financial aid. The 2024-2025 application has significantly fewer questions but challenges many applicants and their families.
However, financial aid marks the first step to ensuring student success, and at LMC more than 2,000 students rely on aid such as the Pell Grant.
“Financial aid provides the opportunity to attend college and pursue their educational goals. It also makes college more affordable by providing funding for books, tuition, materials and other educational costs,” said LMC Director of Financial Aid Tammy Oranje. “Without it, many of our students could not afford to attend college.”
Federal officers did not begin sending out students’ FAFSA data until March 10, leading many schools to delay notifying students of their financial packages. As a result, Gov. Gavin Newson signed a bill on March 25 to extend the priority deadline to apply for federal aid to May 2.
On a state level, those primarily impacted were applicants continuing or transferring. Compared to four-year universities with a set enrollment timeline after being accepted, community college students have a longer window to enroll for the upcoming semester.
The delay caused stress to families and students who needed clarification on their financial aid eligibility.
As a continuing student, Jason Amara acknowledged the setbacks with the new form, but believes financial aid “is a good thing to have.”
“Even if it doesn’t go through, you should still try to get FAFSA because it helps in the long run,” Amara said.
Despite these challenges, LMC’s Financial Aid Office is focused on supporting families and students through the application process. For continuing students, the office will begin processing 2024-2025 financial aid applications in the summer. Then, once their financial aid status is updated, students will be notified by email and can check their status on InSite under the Financial Aid tile.
“My recommendation for students and families is to complete and submit your FAFSA,” Oranje said. “Despite the delays that students, families, and colleges have encountered, financial aid continues to be an essential resource in helping students pay for college.”
LMC students have noted the prevalent delays in navigating the new revisions.
“It may be a little easier later on because we’re getting used to it, but difficult at the beginning,” Ashley Cervantes said. “Since I was so used to the old way of doing [the FAFSA application] it was hard to get the process going that I did need to ask for help.”
As of publication, it is unclear how these delays will impact students’ enrollment, but College President Pamela Ralston notes a “possible increase in students choosing LMC due to FAFSA uncertainty.”
With ongoing conversations at the state level regarding budgeting and funding, she sees community college as a more flexible, less expensive route.
“We’re invested in making sure that students have access to resources. We’re doing almost everything we possibly can, and the [Financial Aid Office] has been busy taking student questions and concerns and helping people navigate it,” Ralston said.
Across the college and at district levels, progress is being made with the federal government and state agencies to address issues with FAFSA.
“My hope is that once the new FAFSA application is up and running, it will streamline operations in a manner that benefits our students,” said Vice President of Student Services Tanisha Maxwell.
Various financial aid assistance is available to students, including grants, fee waivers, work-study, paid internships and scholarships.
Before submitting your FAFSA application by the May 2 deadline, the Financial Aid Office is available in person in the Student Services building and by phone or email for questions. Additionally, check the LMC website under the Financial Aid Success Lab to see extended support hours until the extended deadline.
— Ray Kopf contributed to this report
