Education Department struggles to fulfill its duties without a significant bump in funding
In The News Piece in Higher Ed Dive
April 20, 2023
Sarah Sattelmeyer was cited in an article by Higher Ed Dive about the proposed budget for the U.S. Department of Education for 2022 and its focus on improving financial aid and student loan programs.
This year, FSA is expected to steward borrowers back into repayment after a three-year pause, implement new income-driven repayment plans, and bring millions of defaulted borrowers back into good standing, among a myriad of other initiatives. That takes money.
“FSA oversees and runs programs that touch every aspect of students’ and borrowers’ experience,” said Sarah Sattelmeyer, who manages projects related to student loans and higher education at New America. “FSA has a lot on its plate and not enough money to do everything that they want to do and that we want them to do.”
Cracks may well already be forming in the office’s ability to accomplish its directives. The office has been charged this year with launching an updated and streamlined version of the FAFSA — the Free Application for Federal Student Aid. Though that launch was meant to happen this upcoming October, the department has said it won’t be able to make that deadline. The new application will be launched sometime in December.
Read the full article here.