financial aid

Although the federal student aid application won’t open up until later this year, multiple Indiana-focused initiatives seek to increase college applications.

After last year’s chaotic rollout of what was supposed to be a simplified process, the U.S. Department of Education said FAFSA won’t be available to the public until Dec. 1.

After a chaotic rollout from the U.S. Department of Education last fall, Ivy Tech and IU financial aid professionals will guide students through the process.

Only about 34 percent of Indiana high school seniors have completed the application for aid this year.

Indiana requires almost all high school seniors to complete the form.

The program expanded after the General Assembly’s 2023 session to accept more students and create more opportunities for minority students.

Indiana lawmakers on Tuesday reviewed the results of a “first-of-its-kind” request of higher education cost and debt data — and found it lacking.

College enrollment has been on the decline in part due to financial concerns, according to the Indiana Commission for Higher Education.