Aims Community College director serving on federal team to simplify financial aid process

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Aims Community College Director of Financial Aid Teri Dorchuck has been selected to serve on the 2011-2012 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) Design Team. The committee includes Financial Aid representatives from the College Board, the National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators, state higher education agencies, the U.S. Department of Education and four universities. Dorchuck is the sole representative for community colleges.

The purpose of the FAFSA Design Team is to analyze the current form, review suggestions, and recommend improvements to the form to simplify student and parent usability.

"The FAFSA is a cumbersome application, but every student who seeks financial aid must complete it," Dorchuck said. "Our goal is to simplify the FAFSA as much as it is possible to do within the letter of the law."

Dorchuck was selected for the Design Team based on the input she has submitted over the past several years in response to the Department of Education's request for comment from Financial Aid professionals.

"I felt it was important to serve as a voice for community colleges because our students' needs and situations are often quite different than those attending four-year universities," Dorchuck said.

The group's recommendations are being analyzed by U.S. Department of Education staff and a cost analysis of each suggestion will be completed to determine if the recommendation can be implemented for 2010-2011, 2011-2012 or held off until 2012-2013.