A Streamlined FAFSA

As a community college instructor, I feel right at home in the classroom – and so I was thrilled to spend time this morning with local students at DC's Banneker Senior High School to talk with them about their goals of pursuing a college education.  It was a great morning - I joined Secretary of Education Arne Duncan and Senator Jack Reed from Rhode Island to showcase the new and more streamlined Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) which is now available to students. 

(Secretary of Education Arne Duncan, Dr. Jill Biden, Senator Jack Reed join students and guidance counselors from Banneker Senior High School to discuss the FAFSA, January 5, 2010. Photograph by Paul Wood, Department of Education)

I know first-hand as a parent and as a former high school and current college instructor just how challenging and overwhelming all of the financial aid forms and paperwork can be - and it was great to see how the current forms have fewer questions, easier navigation and are more user-friendly.  I spoke with students at the computer lab who expressed relief to be working on the more user-friendly FAFSA.

(Secretary of Education Arne Duncan, Dr. Jill Biden, Senator Jack Reed join students and guidance counselors from Banneker Senior High School to discuss the FAFSA, January 5, 2010. Photograph by Paul Wood, Department of Education)

President Obama has challenged the nation to have the highest percentage of college graduates by 2020, and simplifying the FAFSA form is a huge step toward removing barriers to financial aid and access to higher education for all. 

If you are considering applying for financial aid, you can learn more here: www.fafsa.ed.gov

-- Jill