May 19, 2022

In a move sure to gladden the hearts of students, parents, and financial aid professionals alike, the U.S. Department of Education announced on Wednesday that it would continue the waiver of certain 2022-23 FAFSA verification requirements.

In the May 18 Dear Colleague Letter (DCL), the Department of Education said it "recognizes the need to continue to provide relief to millions of students and colleges facing challenges and barriers resulting from the ongoing national emergency." Therefore, the Department will continue the waiver of certain verification requirements into the 2022-23 award year. While the Department will be waiving some of the verification requirements, the verification requirements that strictly focus on identity and fraud will be maintained for the remainder of the 2022-2023 award year.

The Department said the waiver does not exempt postsecondary institutions from requirements to resolve conflicting information concerning a student's eligibility.