As Education Subcommittee Addresses FAFSA Delays, CAPAC Chair Highlights Ongoing Impacts on Students of Color
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, the Committee on Education and the Workforce Subcommittee on Higher Education and Workforce Development is holding a hearing on the 2024-2025 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and the issues arising from changes to the form under the Department of Education’s implementation of the bipartisan FAFSA Simplification Act.
Among students of color, 88% of Black students, 87% of Native American students, 84% of Pacific Islander students, 82% of Latino students, and 66% of Asian American students receive some type of financial aid. However, due to ongoing technical glitches with this year’s FAFSA process, including issues affecting parents and spouses of students without Social Security Numbers (SSN), too many students have been unable to submit their applications in a timely manner.
Concerning today's hearing, Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC) Chair Rep. Judy Chu (CA-28) released the following statement:
“College financial aid is a necessary support system for all underserved students, including students of color, to access higher education and unlock opportunities for their advancement. FAFSA’s role in making federal grants, loans, and work-study programs available is therefore critical to opening the door for many students of color, including AANHPI students, who otherwise may not have considered or been able to afford pursuing higher education. I am grateful for Secretary Cardona and the entire Department of Education’s tireless, ongoing work to implement the changes to this year’s FAFSA form as outlined by the bipartisan FAFSA Simplification Act and to address the delays and glitches from its rollout.
“I am deeply concerned, however, about the devastating and disproportionate impact these delays and glitches are having on the ability of low-income students and students of color to submit applications. Even if they’re able to submit applications, delays compress the timelines for students to receive financial aid offers from colleges and decide where—or if—they would be able to ultimately enroll based on their available options. With many universities operating on a first-come, first-served basis for financial aid offers, these delays may mean smaller award aid packages or no aid altogether for the low-income students, students of color, students from mixed status families, English language learners, and first-generation students who qualify for support but are experiencing the disparate impacts of these technical issues.
“I thank Ranking Member Bobby Scott and Chairman Bernie Sanders for their leadership in working with the Department of Education to act swiftly in resolving of the FAFSA form’s technical problems. As Chair of CAPAC, I reiterate and underscore the importance of meaningful, linguistically-appropriate outreach to update students, families, and counselors on any new solutions and instructions to the FAFSA form submission process provided by the Department, and echo our colleagues’ urgent call for long-term, permanent fixes with clear timelines that finally provide students and their families certainty this year and beyond.”