• A federal error means some applications will have to be reprocessed.
• It will again delay accurate student financial information being reported to colleges.
• Colleges will be significantly delayed creating financial aid packages for students.

Continued delays are causing grave concerns among students, parents, colleges and higher education advocates about the rocky rollout of the 2024-2025 FAFSA.

Since its soft launch in late December, the new Free Application for Federal Student Aid – which is used to determine college students' eligibility to receive financial aid – has been plagued with delays and challenges, including glitches and technical errors for students and parents trying to fill out the online form.

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On March 22, the U.S. Department of Education announced a miscalculation in the student aid index – which replaced the expected family contribution – related to dependent students who reported assets. Meaning, any forms delivered to schools before March 21, 2024 with that information need to be reprocessed.

"This is another unforced error that will likely cause more processing delays for students," Justin Draeger, president and CEO of the National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators, wrote in a statement. "At this stage in the game and after so many delays, every error adds up and will be felt acutely by every student who is counting on need-based financial aid to make their postsecondary dreams a reality."

He adds that "as always, schools will work in........

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