This week, the updated FAFSA is now open, the University of California reconsiders online degrees, new data reveals the value of standardized testing, NYU announces a new financial aid policy, and New York State announces a direct admissions plan.
The newly designed and much-delayed Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is officially open after a challenging soft launch. However, news sources report a significant error in the form’s calculations; failing to adjust for inflation, the FAFSA makes it appear as if families have more income than they actually do, resulting in students qualifying for less aid. The Department of Education is currently deciding whether to correct the error for this year’s applicants.
The University of California is reconsidering its ban on online degree programs. A year after ruling against fully online degrees at any of its 10 campuses, the university has formed a presidential task force to examine the quality, innovations, and effectiveness of online instruction.
Emerging data suggests that the SAT and ACT are not only “less biased” than many other aspects of the college admissions process, including application essays, teacher recommendations, and extracurricular activities, but also a better predictor of success in the college classroom than high school grades.
NYU has announced a new financial aid initiative that will eliminate tuition for students with families earning less than $100,000 annually. “The NYU Promise” will also meet the full demonstrated need of newly admitted undergraduates over the course of their four years at the school.
Governor Kathy Hochul has announced that New York State will launch a direct admissions program that guarantees the top 10% of the state’s high school graduates admission to a public university. CUNY will expand its existing program, while SUNY will develop its inaugural program.
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