"FAFSA Delays Disrupt College Admission and Financial Aid Timelines"

The delay in FAFSA information until mid-March is causing colleges to adjust their admission timelines, with many pushing their commitment deadlines to June or suspending them indefinitely. Some institutions are also extending application deadlines and loosening their deadlines for making formal financial aid offers to accepted students. The delay is expected to have disparate effects on colleges, with those serving more lower-income students being more impacted. Colleges are calling for accountability from the Department of Education and hoping for urgent action to alleviate stressors for families.