Brenda H. faced significant challenges in applying for financial aid for college due to issues with the FAFSA system. Despite multiple attempts, she only successfully submitted her application on her fifth try, facing delays exacerbated by a bug affecting students with undocumented parents. This uncertainty forced her to commit to California State University, Northridge without knowing her financial aid situation. When she finally received her aid package, it was much lower than expected, leaving her confused and frustrated. As a result of the FAFSA’s troubled rollout, many students, including Brenda, struggled to secure financial aid in time for the school year. This year, around 408,000 fewer high school seniors completed their FAFSA compared to last year. The U.S. Department of Education has since announced 24-hour access to the application and is working on resolving ongoing issues, but many students continue to face financial uncertainties as they navigate their college experiences.
https://www.npr.org/2024/10/10/nx-s1-5144239/fafsa-college-students-education
