Plagued by delays and errors, California's colleges navigate FAFSA fiasco

Financial aid and admissions officers across California’s colleges and universities are navigating longer hours and more stress, as they deal with unprecedented havoc in this year’s rollout of the new Free Application for Federal Student Aid form.

Hear from financial aid workers as they help students and their families navigate the application morass.

Why has California seen heavier impacts from the FAFSA delays? And what is the state doing to mitigate the fallout?

Guests:

• Kamila Juarez, graduating senior, Grace Davis High School
• Sonia Jethani, director of financial aid and scholarships at CSU East Bay
• Jeanette Phillips, director of financial aid and scholarships at Cal Poly Pomona
• Jessica Wagoner, senior associate vice president for enrollment management and services at Cal Poly Pomona

Read more from EdSource:

• California’s universities navigate unprecedented FAFSA mistakes and delays 
• FAFSA delays make it difficult for students to finalize college decisions

Education Beat is a weekly podcast. This episode is hosted by EdSource’s Ashley A. Smith and produced by Coby McDonald.