Wednesday, June 24, 2009

Obama Administration Announces Streamlined College Aid Application

The Obama Administration today announced a shorter, simpler, and more user friendly Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) that will make it easier to apply for college financial aid. The changes—some of which are already in place while others will be phased in over the next few months—are designed to increase postsecondary enrollment, particularly among low- and middle-income students.

"President Obama has challenged the nation to once again have the highest percentage of college graduates in the world," said Arne Duncan, U.S. Secretary of Education. "To do that, we need to make the college-going process easier and more convenient, and to send a clear message to young people as well as adults that college is within their reach. Simplifying the financial aid process is an important step toward reaching that goal."

At his first White House press corps briefing, Secretary Duncan outlined the Administration's plan for streamlining the FAFSA.

The simplified FAFSA is one of several recent steps taken by the Obama Administration to improve access to higher education and make it more affordable.

"Simplifying the FAFSA is another significant action in our quest to keep a college degree within the reach of every person who aspires to higher education," Duncan said.

In other news, on Friday, June 19, the Senate confirmed the appointments of Martha J. Kanter to serve as U.S. Under Secretary of Education and Jane Oates to serve as Assistant Labor Secretary, Employment and Training Commission. Kanter is Chancellor of Foothill-De Anza Community College District. Oates worked closely with the New Jersey community colleges and the NJ Council of Community Colleges to implement a statewide articulation agreement.

For highlights of the Obama Administration's Agenda for College Affordability, go to http://www.ed.gov/news/pressreleases/2009/06/06242009.html.

More information on federal financial aid for college is available at http://studentaid.ed.gov.

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