The reform aimed to widen federal aid access (a funding-access positive), but the disrupted rollout delayed aid for many applicants, leaving the near-term effect on effective funding access mixed.

Under the bipartisan FAFSA Simplification Act, the US Department of Education led by Secretary Miguel Cardona launched a fully redesigned 2024-25 Free Application for Federal Student Aid intended to streamline the form and expand Pell Grant eligibility. The rollout was widely criticised in Congress for delays and processing errors; the Department acknowledged problems while noting the redesign made the maximum Pell Grant available to over 610,000 additional low-income students.
Under the bipartisan FAFSA Simplification Act, the US Department of Education led by Secretary Miguel Cardona launched a fully redesigned 2024-25 Free Application for Federal Student Aid intended to streamline the form and expand Pell Grant eligibility. The rollout was widely criticised in Congress for delays and processing errors; the Department acknowledged problems while noting the redesign made the maximum Pell Grant available to over 610,000 additional low-income students.
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The reform aimed to widen federal aid access (a funding-access positive), but the disrupted rollout delayed aid for many applicants, leaving the near-term effect on effective funding access mixed.