PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — The limited launch of the revamped federal financial aid application is causing angst among hopeful college students and their parents.
The new Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or FAFSA, is streamlined and simpler. The problem, though, is accessing it.
The Education Department opened the new form on Dec. 30, but in a "soft launch" for limited hours each day. Applicants had to sit in a digital waiting room to log on.
"We know that not everyone can get in at the same time, so it's just been hit or miss," said Amy Miller-Spavlik, the parent of a college student and a counselor at West Philadelphia High School.
She said another challenge is that once students gain access to the form, parents have to answer an email invitation from their student to log on and provide information.
"The parent has to retrieve the email and then do their part — so that's going to be the biggest barrier that I foresee.”
It's a particular challenge when that invitation is sent during a parent's workday.
"It is kind of difficult to contact your parent during their work hours," said Haoua Tall, a freshman at Penn State University. "We were a little worried about that because we don't have all the information that we need."
Tall's anxiety level was rising as she waited to fill out the form.
"For me, it was very high because I obviously need the money because I'm still in college," she said. "My parents are going to have two kids in college now. So we do, like, need all the help that we can get."
"I definitely am not panicking," Miller-Spavlik said. "I have trust that this is all going to work out."
As the Education Department works out the bugs, the Philadelphia School District is offering FAFSA help on Tuesday, Jan. 9, from 3:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. at district headquarters located at 440 North Broad Street. Students can register here.
Community College of Philadelphia is also hosting FAFSA information sessions. Check out their available dates here.