The recent changes within the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) have created problems in athletic recruitment for colleges across the country including Keene State College.
In 2021, Congress passed The FAFSA Simplification Act, which implemented changes to the decades-old financial aid service. The changes include the elimination of Expected Family Contribution (ECF) and replacing it with the Student Aid Index (SAI), removing the number of family members in college from the student aid calculation.
The act also includes a closer look at families’ tax returns to determine family size and contribution. The tax data will be pulled directly from the IRS and will help determine the newly added Student Aid Index.
These new changes are an attempt to streamline the FAFSA form and decrease the number of questions families must answer. Another main purpose was to expand the eligibility for a Federal Pell Grant, a grant given out to undergraduates who qualify for exceptional financial aid.
The FAFSA Simplification Act was viewed this past school year, as the new forms will be used for the 2024-2025 school year.
One aspect of the new FAFSA forms has created trouble for athletic programs across the country. The form for the upcoming school year was available in late December, as opposed to the previous dates in the fall which means students have to wait longer to figure out their financial aid. The delay is supposed to be temporary, allowing families to get a grasp on the newer FAFSA forms.
With the opening date changed, recruitments are less likely to commit to a school early on. Although the changes open up opportunities for financial aid, it delays decisions for incoming athletes.
Keene State’s Associate Athletic Director and Internal Operations Sports Supervisor Abe Osheyack acknowledges the delays and is aware it is not just a problem at Keene State College.
“The FAFSA delays have not been ideal in recruiting, but it is something that all schools are dealing with,” Osheyack said. “ It is not a unique problem to Keene State. Our admissions and financial aid staff have been extremely helpful in navigating through the different changes brought on by the FAFSA this year.”
Previously, students would get their financial information in the late winter or early fall.
Incoming student-athletes were able to know their financial aid situation before choosing the institution where they would continue their sports endeavors.
Even with the old system, errors or processing delays extended the time that students received their FAFSA information. A later opening date can only increase that delay, along with the new adjustments that families are unfamiliar with.
Athletic Director Marty Testo has seen how the FAFSA Simplification Act has affected the decision-making for incoming student-athletes and how Keene State College has handled the situation.
“The delay with the FASFA has slowed the recruiting process down at our level. It is difficult to ask families to commit or deposit without knowing exactly what they will have to pay.” Testo said. “Our Enrollment Management team at KSC has done a tremendous job strategizing on how to keep prospective student-athletes and families informed as we receive updates from the Department of Education on the process.”
As the families of incoming students and student-athletes try to adjust to the implications of the new FAFSA form, Keene State College’s athletic recruiting must do the same. Potential Owls are delayed in their financial aid findings, decreasing their time to commit to college, a choice that can have lasting effects. The FAFSA Simplification Act does open doors within the FAFSA world while also limiting young adults’ timeframe to decide their future educational and athletic endeavors.
Jacob Enscoe can be contacted at
jenscoe@kscequinox.com
