Republicans call for investigation into ‘botched’ student aid rollout

Republican lawmakers on Wednesday called for an investigation into the Department of Education’s rollout of the new Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) program, calling it a “botched” effort. 

Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-La.), the ranking member of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee, and Rep. Virginia Foxx (R-N.C.), the chair of the House Education and the Workforce Committee, along with 26 other Republicans, sent a letter to the Government Accountability Office requesting an investigation into the FAFSA rollout.  

The rollout experienced difficulties for some time after the new program was launched, delaying the period colleges had to make financial aid offers and potential students had to decide which school to attend.

The Republicans pointed out the FAFSA Simplification Act was passed in 2020, and the department had three years to implement a new form.  

When the form was finally launched Dec. 30, it was open to students only for a limited time. Applicants were not able to fully access it at all times until Jan. 6, six days past the deadline Congress set for the department to launch the new FAFSA. 

“However, repeated delays from the Department of Education (Education) in rolling out the new FAFSA have left students and schools in limbo for the upcoming school year,” the lawmakers said in a letter to Comptroller General Gene Dodaro. “All these challenges and delays may cause some students—particularly low-income students who are most dependent on federal aid—to give up and not pursue postsecondary education.”    

The Republicans are seeking information on what challenges students and schools had with the new system, what the department is doing to ensure the issues do not happen next year and how it advised students and schools on how to fill out the forms and apply them to their financial aid processes.  

“Beyond the initial delays, it is also unclear whether Education is providing students and schools with sufficient information and guidance on the new FAFSA form and process,” the letter said. “The goal of FAFSA simplification was in part to make the whole process easier for students and their families. … However, initial feedback from students and schools indicates that Education’s current outreach efforts are falling short.”