At Murray’s Urging, Education Department Announces Simplified FAFSA to Reduce Burden on Students and Families

Murray: “Students have enough to think about as they apply to college, and there’s no reason complicated financial aid forms should add to the list”

(Washington, D.C.) – Today, Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), the top Democrat on the Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee applauded the Department of Education’s progress to simplify the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form for the 2017-18 school year by including two major changes that she proposed—allow students to apply for financial aid earlier and with more accurate financial information, also known as “prior-prior year” tax data, and making it easier for students and families receiving Medicaid to apply for financial aid. Today’s announcement provides a first glimpse of the updated FAFSA with these changes and begins a process of receiving public comment on how to further reduce the burden of applying for financial aid.

“Students have enough to think about as they apply to college, and there’s no reason complicated financial aid forms should add to the list,” said Senator Patty Murray. “The steps taken today by the Department to simplify the FAFSA form will help millions of students make better-informed decisions about their educational careers. I am especially proud that with this new FAFSA form, we are breaking down some of the most significant barriers low-income students face when pursing a college degree. I look forward to working closely with the Department and my colleagues in Congress to further streamline the financial aid process, in particular by removing roadblocks that unaccompanied homeless youth face.”