CSUSM Students Can Receive Early Access to FAFSA

CSUSM Students Can Receive Early Access to FAFSA

By Eric Breier

Political science student Sarah Flores (center), with President Ellen Neufeldt, provided testimony at the CSU Board of Trustees meeting in September about issues with the FAFSA. Photo by Erica Perez

When the Department of Education released a new Free Application for Federal Student Aid form, more commonly known as FAFSA, it was supposed to simplify the financial aid process for students across the country.

While the form was condensed from 108 questions to 40, the rollout of what was supposed to be a streamlined process was plagued by delays and glitches. A form that normally is made available on Oct. 1 didn't become accessible until Dec. 31, which was by law the latest it could be opened. Even when the form finally opened, seemingly endless issues caused stressful delays for many students who couldn't find out how much aid they would be receiving.

Cal State San Marcos political science student Sarah Flores was among those affected. The myriad issues she had with the FAFSA caused so much consternation that she was called upon to provide testimony about the difficulties to the California State University Board of Trustees in September.

"I worry about not having enough money for school and living expenses as I haven't been able to successfully submit my financial aid application through the new system," Flores told the trustees. "Financial aid is my lifeline. At first I thought it might be a glitch or maybe I typed something wrong, but after trying again and again the same issue kept happening.

"As deadlines loomed and the clock ticked, I couldn't access the one thing that would help me afford my education and living expenses. It was incredibly frustrating knowing that the solution to my financial aid worries was just out of reach."

But CSUSM is at the forefront of trying to make it a smoother process for students across the country when the FAFSA opens Dec. 1 for the 2025-26 financial aid cycle. CSUSM was one of two CSU schools selected to participate in FAFSA beta testing, which will provide students with early access to complete the form and then provide feedback to the Department of Education. The early access also means CSUSM will be able to process financial aid packages sooner.

All currently enrolled CSUSM students are eligible to participate in the FAFSA beta testing. Students were informed via email and text message about the opportunity to complete an interest form by Oct. 25. Those who complete the interest form will gain access to the FAFSA form in mid-November, weeks before it becomes available to students across the country.

"Our students will have the ability to provide direct feedback to the Department of Ed on what is working well and what has to be corrected," said Julie Lindenmeier, CSUSM's director of the Financial Aid and Scholarships Office. "They're going to have the ability to say, 'This question doesn't make sense, and I don't even understand what you're asking me.' And that's important, because one of the things the form really did a huge disservice on was some of the questioning. It's so technical and uses so much financial aid regulatory language that a student has to read a question out loud eight times to try and figure it out. And even then, they're just guessing. And that's not what this is for. That's not what this redesign was for."

As one example, Lindenmeier said a question about whether students wanted an unsubsidized loan if their tax contributor was unable to complete the form caused confusion. Many students clicked yes thinking they wouldn't otherwise be eligible for a loan. But by answering the question incorrectly, their parents were never even invited to complete their portion of the FAFSA.

"Had they tested and shared this with anybody other than other Department of Ed folks, we absolutely would have been happy to tell them the question was inappropriately worded," Lindenmeier said. "So the beta is important not only because our students will get first access, but they'll have a real opportunity to contribute to the national discourse and make a change for everyone."

Lindenmeier encourages all CSUSM students to complete the interest form so that they can participate in the early access. She said it's critical that students use the email address that they've previously used to access the FAFSA rather than their campus email.

Students who need more information about the beta testing can contact the Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships at [email protected].

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