Federal Aid - College Scholarship & Education News - Scholarship Search, Find Scholarships & Pay for College

In the year of COVID-19, student loan borrowers have experienced much-needed and historic college financial relief via the CARES Act, including temporary loan forbearance and significant interest rate reductions, extended through the end of 2020. One of the most beneficial outcomes of the pause of student loan payments has been the improved credit ratings of borrowers.

Student Loan Borrowers See Benefits, Better Credit Scores Amid Pandemic

October 13, 2020 4:01 PM

by Susan Dutca-Lovell

What to know about student loan debt relief during the coronavirus

The 2021-2022 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) opened today, October 1, for students who plan on attending college in 2021-2022 and receiving federal government, state, and school-based college financial aid, including grants and scholarships. Filing and submitting the FAFSA is one of the most crucial steps in the college application process and it is best you file as early as possible, as some types of federal financial aid are first-come, first-served. Especially in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, it is now more important than ever to claim your share of $150 billion in federal student aid.

College Financial Aid Begins with the 2021-2022 FAFSA – Starting Today

October 1, 2020 2:42 PM

by Susan Dutca-Lovell

The 2021-2022 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) opened today, October 1, for students who plan on attending college in 2021-2022 and receiving federal government, state, and

Between the new, hidden COVID-related college fees and increased demands for tuition rebates, financial aid and leaves of student absences, college affordability is a top concern for parents and students in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic. Aside from changing schools, taking a gap year or delaying enrollment, families are largely dependent on college financial aid now more than ever.

Top 10 Colleges for Financial Aid in Wake of COVID-19

August 20, 2020 3:02 PM

by Susan Dutca-Lovell

Between the new, hidden COVID-related college fees and increased demands for tuition rebates, financial aid and leaves of student absences, college affordability is a top concern for parents and

Each year, upwards of $3 million in college financial aid goes unclaimed by low-income college students, despite the fact that it costs nothing to complete and file the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and that more than half of U.S. high school graduates qualify for free federal student aid. To help close the gap of unused and unmet financial aid for many students, states are beginning to enact Mandatory FAFSA policies, which require high school seniors to either apply for federal student aid or opt-out before they graduate. So far, the results have been promising for three states who are leading the way.

Mandatory FAFSA Policy to Become New Graduation Requirement?

August 18, 2020 2:22 PM

by Susan Dutca-Lovell

Each year, upwards of $3 million in college financial aid goes unclaimed by low-income college students, despite the fact that it costs nothing to complete and file the Free Application for Federal

The federal work-study program is a way in which college students can work part- or full-time while simultaneously attending school in order to help pay for college-related expenses. The program, available at the undergraduate, graduate and professional level, may face some changes amid the novel coronavirus pandemic.

College Work-Study Jobs Face Changes During Pandemic

August 4, 2020 4:04 PM

by Susan Dutca-Lovell

The federal work-study program is a way in which college students can work part- or full-time while simultaneously attending school in order to help pay for college-related expenses. The program,

Senator Lamar Alexander of Tennessee, the current chairman of the Senate education committee, has recently proposed the Student Loan Repayment and FAFSA Simplification Act, a piece of legislation that would allow students with no income to forgo federal student loan repayments. His recommendations, which he developed with bipartisan support, would also simplify the FAFSA and reduce the number of federal loan repayment options from nine to two.

Senator Outlines Student Loan Relief in New Proposal

July 30, 2020 11:49 AM

by Izzy Hall

Senator Lamar Alexander of Tennessee, the current chairman of the Senate education committee, has recently proposed the Student Loan Repayment and FAFSA Simplification Act, a piece of legislation

The FAFSA is a critical tool for both applying to colleges and applying to scholarships – in fact, need-based scholarships often require that you submit the FAFSA as part of your application. So, in a time of economic uncertainty caused by the coronavirus pandemic, it’s surprising to learn that many low-income and minority students did not submit the FAFSA for the upcoming academic year even though they would’ve been eligible for federal aid. At Scholarships.com, we don’t want students to miss out on any form of college financial aid. Applications for the next academic year will open soon, so get prepared by reviewing these FAFSA facts.

The FAFSA: Why You Should File (And How!)

July 23, 2020 3:47 PM

by Izzy Hall

The FAFSA is a critical tool for both applying to colleges and applying to scholarships – in fact, need-based scholarships often require that you submit the FAFSA as part of your application. So, in

A new survey detailing what rising high school seniors think about college amid the COVID-19 pandemic indicates that despite being unable to visit colleges for much of the year, rising high school seniors are already looking toward fall 2021 and are optimistic that higher education will be back to normal by that time. As a general whole, the survey findings show that the COVID-19 pandemic has not dampened prospective students' interest in attending college in fall 2021.

Where High School Seniors Stand on Coronavirus and College

July 16, 2020 9:48 AM

by Susan Dutca-Lovell

A new survey detailing what rising high school seniors think about college amid the COVID-19 pandemic indicates that despite being unable to visit colleges for much of the year, "rising high school

If you're worried about how you will pay for college during the COVID-19 pandemic, you're not alone. Students and families are concerned about the college financial ramifications as a result of the coronavirus pandemic, and higher education institutions are anticipating an increase in students' financial aid need, as well as a large number of college financial aid appeals. Fortunately, there are ample options and resources to help you pay for college these coming semesters. Explore the various options to find out which works best for your situation - from scholarship deadline extensions to relief provided through the CARES Act and more.

Paying for College during Coronavirus

June 26, 2020 3:48 PM

by Susan Dutca-Lovell

If you're worried about how you will pay for college during the COVID-19 pandemic, you're not alone. Students and families are concerned about the college financial ramifications as a result of the