The financial aspects of college are largely what discourage a lot of people from gaining an education, and FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) lessens the financial burden by providing the eligibility for students to get an education beyond high school.

The ability to provide the funding for education, with loans to pay back later, have allowed countless individuals to go on to much bigger and better things than they would have without a college education.

The process for FAFSA has changed to ensure an easier and more beneficial process. Long gone are the days of student aid pin logins as the process now features an FSA (Federal Student Aid) Identification (ID) number. The FSA ID will contain information such as name, social security number, username, email, as well as other informational aspects.

This will allow for a quicker log in to the US Department of Education website. Conner Granato, junior psychology major, said, “I can never remember my login credentials; this will make it easier.”

Majority of students rely on their parents for FAFSA work to be completed, but this ID will force students to be more involved in the process. The new process allows students to be more independent as they are not relying on people to do things that they can do themselves.

Zehra Gulsan, a sophomore nursing major, said, “I intend on being more independent when it comes to my financial situation with school.”

The US Department of Education wants the process of applying for loans and grants to be as quick and painless as possible. To make an ID, log in to fafsa.gov and begin the process. Firstly, the user must create a username, as well as enter an email address. Secondly, a federal student aid pin is to be made. Afterwards a few brief questions are asked concerning personal information, as well as challenge questions regarding login credentials.

Kyle Pauley, senior criminal justice major, said, “FAFSA is always the most stressful part of school, hopefully this will make it easier.”

The development of easier funding will result in a less stressful approach to an already stressful subject.  For more information go to:

• www.nslds.ed.gov
• www.studentloans.gov
• www.studentaid.gov
• www.teach-ats.ed.gov