From Fortune:

The Department of Education’s rollout of the redesigned FAFSA form has been plagued by processing delays. College financial aid departments are overwhelmed, potentially affecting enrollment numbers. The Education Department has committed to resolving the FAFSA transition with a $50 million allocation but is facing criticism for being too little, too late.

Financial aid officers are warning of a looming crisis as students applying for aid face delays, leading to uncertainties about college costs and enrollment decisions. Despite the Biden administration’s commitment to reducing college debt, the FAFSA redesign rollout is mired in problems, with the Department of Education failing to keep up with its projected timeline multiple times.

As financial aid offices struggle to access FAFSA information, the Education Department is under fire for communication failures and releasing an incomplete online FAFSA portal. This has left colleges unable to determine applicants’ financial aid eligibility and offer aid packages. The confusion and concerns are raising fears of low-income students deciding against college as a result.

The Education Department’s failure to resolve the FAFSA transition is causing unprecedented strain on financial aid officers. With colleges struggling to access FAFSA information and calculate students’ aid packages, the timing of these delays has prompted fears of a significant impact on enrollment and raises questions about low-income students’ ability to navigate the complicated process.



Read more: FAFSA’s constantly delayed redesign threatens to tank college enrollment