The U.S. Department of Education announced today the appointment of Jeremy Singer as FAFSA Executive Advisor in the Office of Federal Student Aid (FSA). Singer will lead the overall strategy for the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®) and drive technology innovation to enhance FSA’s technical and operational capabilities.
"The Department is committed to carrying out transformational changes at FSA, including continuing making improvements to the Better FAFSA, and to ensure a smooth launch and successful 2025-26 FAFSA season," stated the Department. Jeremy Singer, currently on temporary leave from his role as President of College Board, will oversee FSA’s strategy for the 2025-26 FAFSA form. He will collaborate with Department leadership and the FAFSA implementation team to strengthen internal systems, bolster technical capabilities, and drive innovation.
"Jeremy brings deep experience having successfully led the development and introduction of major technology innovations in education, which will be integral to improving the FAFSA experience and ensuring millions of students and families can easily access the federal financial aid they are entitled to," said U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona.
The Department aims to make federal aid accessible to all students by improving the application process for future FAFSA cycles. Feedback from various stakeholders emphasized that it is crucial for the 2025-26 FAFSA form to be available on October 1st. The upcoming form will remain consistent with its predecessor to minimize disruptions.
For the 2024-25 award year starting July 1, 2024, over 11.1 million FAFSA forms have been processed. Recent data indicates an improvement in submission rates, narrowing a previous gap from nearly 40 percent in March to 8 percent compared to last year.
Significant changes were made during this cycle:
- Over 20 systems within FSA were rebuilt.
- Students can now complete forms faster—many in under 15 minutes.
- An estimated 7.1 million students are expected to be eligible for Pell Grants.
The Department acknowledges challenges faced by students, families, institutions, states, and supporting organizations due to these expansive changes. Efforts continue with partners' feedback on improving help text on forms, student tip sheets, and direct communication methods.
Listening sessions will be conducted over upcoming weeks for further input on enhancing support mechanisms for a successful 2025-26 FAFSA season. Additionally, a Request for Information (RFI) will be published this summer seeking broader feedback. These initiatives aim towards developing a new Better FAFSA Better Future Roadmap by late summer.
In May, the Department launched a $30 million-funded FAFSA Student Support Strategy aimed at increasing college enrollment through higher completion rates of FAFSAs. This strategy has supported over 180 organizations nationwide through media campaigns, stipends for school counselors hosting events, mobile clinics, one-on-one support during office hours, translation services among other activities focused on aiding students and families in submitting their FAFSAs successfully.
A regularly updated list of awardees is available on the ECMC website.
