Collegiate Times

Tech students relying on federal financial aid may notice a simplified application process next time they fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid as the U.S. Department of Education implements new changes.

The FAFSA, viewed by some as an inconvenience, is the form through which students apply for Pell grants, government loans, and direct aid from schools.

Tech requires all students seeking aid from the university to complete and submit a FAFSA before completing the general scholarship application.

Since his presidential campaign, President Barack Obama has addressed making aid easier for families in need and getting more youth access to higher education.

In late June, the Department of Education issued a press release outlining changes taking effect this summer and culminating in January 2010.

The greatest change streamlines information provided to the Internal Revenue Service with the online FAFSA. The online form will be able to retrieve the necessary information filed with the IRS through tax forms such as the 1040.

This will be available in January to students applying for spring semester aid and will possibly be expanded to all students in the future, said the press release.

Students will now receive instant estimates of Pell Grant and student loan eligibility on completion of the FAFSA online.

Additionally, the online form has been made more navigable.

Currently, the Administration is working to introduce legislation that will remove 26 questions from the form. These "have little impact" on aid awards and can be difficult to complete, according to the Department of Education.

Tech financial aid director Barry Simmons said the changes will affect applicants' convenience factors with the application, but will not affect the university's output of financial aid very directly for the next two years.

Tech participates in the Federal Quality Assurance program for financial aid, which permits the university to verify certain FAFSA items and sidestep federal audits.

Simmons said simplification is a goal for both the university and the presidential administration.

"On the federal level I definitely see additional efforts at simplification," Simmons said. "What Virginia laws may pass regarding financial aid could affect simplification."

Students applying for specific Tech scholarships may still be fill out more than the average financial aid applicant.

Simmons said some scholarships require additional information such as membership in associations and county residence.

"We have scholarships specific to Virginia Tech that have been donated with unusual or extensive requirements," Simmons said.

The DOE also sent a letter to financial aid administrators reminding them to take a case-by-case approach and make adjustments in the face of circumstances not reflected on the FAFSA, including recent unemployment.

"We've always taken advantage by that regulation to consider individual circumstances," Simmons said. "There's a whole section on our Web site under appeals regarding that."

The Obama administration has pursued other initiatives to promote college affordability.

The 2010 Budget proposal seeks to make increased Pell Grants and tax credits permanent, increase Perkins loans by $5 billion, and establish a five-year $2.5 billion fund aimed at improving college access for students of disadvantaged backgrounds.

As institutions at all levels attempt to improve the federal aid process, they continue to weigh various considerations.

"There's a delicate balance to be maintained here," Simmons said. "A balance between simplicity, accountability, and transparency. I'm very happy to see a movement toward simplicity."

The 2009-10 FAFSA form, which applies for the spring semester will be available for students in January. Students applying online can reach the form at www.fafsa.ed.gov.