Education Department accused of ‘malicious negligence’ amid FAFSA issues

Amidst ongoing technical issues with the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), former student loan official Wayne Johnson has fiercely criticized the U.S. Department of Education.

In a letter to Secretary Miguel Cardona and senior officials, Johnson accused the department of “malicious negligence” in handling the situation.

The FAFSA revamp has faced numerous challenges, such as technical glitches and accessibility problems.

Johnson argues that the department’s failure to adequately address these issues has hindered student access to financial aid.

He blames the continuing whitewashing and corporate-style crisis management for the avoidable harm inflicted on students and educational institutions.

Meanwhile, Republican lawmakers have also requested a federal inquiry into the rollout.

The department contends that the overhaul was a significant undertaking mandated by Congress without additional resources.

However, education experts emphasize the urgency of resolving the FAFSA issues, as they have led to a decline in financial aid applications and uncertainty for students trying to navigate college costs.

Award letters, which students rely on to compare college offers, have been delayed.

This has created anxiety among students, especially those from disadvantaged backgrounds who rely heavily on financial aid to pursue higher education.

Many colleges are resorting to their own calculations to determine aid packages, raising concerns about the accuracy of the offers.

Johnson warns that the ongoing FAFSA problems could potentially lead to an enrollment decline similar to that witnessed during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.

He urges the department to prioritize resolving the issues in the interest of preserving student access to financial aid and preventing a drop in college enrollment.