Dive Brief:
- The U.S. Department of Education first changed its policy to keep FAFSA applicants' college preferences from individual schools this year, and state agencies are expected to lose access next year when an additional change goes into effect for the 2017-18 enrollment cycle.
- Inside Higher Ed reports a Department of Education official confirmed the plan via email, saying state agencies could still get access to the list of colleges a prospective student is applying to, but the department will first randomize the order, something state officials say will create more work for everyone involved.
- States have historically been able to plan financial aid around the lists as a majority of students end up going to the first school they write, but the change will mean students have to confirm what colleges they go to with states agencies separately to get access to state aid awards.
Dive Insight:
Both changes to the Department of Education FAFSA policy are meant to protect students from being unfairly treated in the application cycle at individual schools.
There have been reports that students do not get into certain schools because of where they show up on the list. Colleges that want to increase yield and see another school at the stop of a qualified student's list may not offer admission or as large a financial aid package.
In the case of the state agencies, critics of the administration's change say the list streamlines processes in a way that benefits students. Many states expect to have a significantly harder time planning for financial aid next year and making sure qualified students get it.