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FEDERALhearing transcript

Senate Hearing on Simplifying the FAFSA Application

Original title: REAUTHORIZING THE HIGHER EDUCATION ACT: EXAMINING PROPOSALS TO SIMPLIFY THE FREE APPLICATION FOR FEDERAL STUDENT AID (FAFSA)

January 1, 2019

higher educationFAFSAstudent financial aidfederal policyeducation reform

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The Frame

What this does

The hearing explores potential changes to the federal student aid application process, which determines eligibility for billions in federal grants and loans for millions of students annually.

Who is mentioned in the record

Potentially affected actors named in the source documents. Mention is not a position.

College Students

Students are the primary users of the FAFSA and are affected by the complexity or simplicity of the application process.

Financial Aid Administrators

These professionals manage the processing of FAFSA data and are responsible for implementing federal aid policies at the institutional level.

What changed

Last recorded activity January 1, 2019.

What's next

Next step not available in the current record.

Summary

This Senate committee hearing examined proposals to simplify the Free Application for Federal Student Aid () as part of the broader effort to reauthorize the Higher Education Act. Experts and administrators provided testimony on how to reduce the complexity of the financial aid application process for students and families.

Key Facts

  • The hearing took place on November 28, 2017, in the Dirksen Senate Office Building.
  • The primary objective was to examine proposals to simplify the FAFSA application process.
  • The hearing is part of a series of discussions regarding the reauthorization of the Higher Education Act.
  • Witnesses included representatives from community colleges, student financial aid associations, and education policy research centers.
  • The committee received written testimony and responses to follow-up questions from five expert witnesses.
  • The hearing record includes additional statements submitted by Senator Orrin Hatch.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the purpose of this hearing?
The hearing was held to gather expert testimony on how to make the application process easier for students to complete.
Does this document change current student aid laws?
No, this is a hearing transcript. It is part of the legislative process to inform future changes to the Higher Education Act.

Why It Matters

The hearing explores potential changes to the federal student aid application process, which determines eligibility for billions in federal grants and loans for millions of students annually.

News Coverage

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Sponsors

Discoveries

Patterns POLISCOPE noticed across the record. These are observations to investigate, not conclusions.

policy shift90% confidence

Focus on Administrative Burden

The hearing highlights a shift toward prioritizing the reduction of administrative complexity in federal student aid as a key component of Higher Education Act reform.

Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions

Connected Entities

personJustin Draeger“President of the National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators”Map →
organizationCommittee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions“Senate committee overseeing the hearing”Map →
personNancy McCallin“President of the Colorado Community College System”Map →
personLamar Alexander“Chairman of the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions”Map →
personPatty Murray“Ranking Member of the Committee”Map →

Sources

Open source document

www.govinfo.gov

Analysis Score

0–100
  • Significance65
    How much this matters to a regular citizen
  • Controversy20
    Intensity of disagreement among stakeholders
  • Entertainment5
    Compellingness for a non-policy-wonk reader
  • Buzz10
    Current news / social attention level

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