The new Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), released in December 2023, was designed to streamline a complicated and lengthy application process, mitigate the burden on students and families, and reduce errors leading to income verification. However, problems abounded following its release. Students from mixed-status immigrant families encountered some of the most significant barriers and technical glitches that precluded parents and contributors from accessing their section of the form. Using interview data, survey responses, and analysis of technical assistance requests, this report provides a robust analysis of how these issues limited counselors’ ability to effectively serve students from mixed-status families, impacted students’ postsecondary decision making, and affected practitioners’ personal wellbeing. The report’s findings provide important insights into the ongoing challenges affecting enrolled and prospective students from mixed-status families.
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